Tire manufacturers and solutions suppliers now offer technologies that allow them to track performance in real time and double as consultants
For better or worse, Industry 4.0 has unleashed a race among the companies that service the mining sector to innovate based on real-time data and with a view of the automated mines of tomorrow. In the tire space, that means increased focus on field results for products, now captured by embedded sensors and streamed by satellite to support teams and business coordinators. Live data mandates prompt responses, both in the field and on the drawing board. Manufacturers said there are numerous advantages to be gained from the instant notifications and burgeoning databases. They also said it is challenging to keep up with the pace of change it mandates. “With technology and the way the equipment keeps changing, and trying to keep up with everything, you almost have to keep adding to your tire line,” said Gary Pompo, manager, field technical services, BKT.
