Automation
Automating equipment in mine operations opens up promising avenues for increased productivity and safety by harnessing cutting-edge technologies, offering the potential for enhanced profitability through reduced operational costs, minimized downtime, and safer working conditions for mining personnel.
Machine Control Solutions
Safety comes very first in Mining. Often enough there are dangerous operations to be done and physical strains put on mining as they work in remote places. Modern radio remote control (RRC), tele-operation and automation technologies (machine control) improve safety for mining people and increase productivity through longer and more consistent machine performance.
Nerospec SK uses well proven and integrated technology components from German, Swedish, Canadian and South-African partners for the machine control solutions. Nerospec SK chooses the very best global technology for each specific application and makes sure the integration with the equipment is seamless.
Machine Control Solutions
Safety comes very first in Mining. Often enough there are dangerous operations to be done and physical strains put on mining as they work in remote places. Modern radio remote control (RRC), tele-operation and automation technologies (machine control) improve safety for mining people and increase productivity through longer and more consistent machine performance.
Nerospec SK uses well proven and integrated technology components from German, Swedish, Canadian and South-African partners for the machine control solutions. Nerospec SK chooses the very best global technology for each specific application and makes sure the integration with the equipment is seamless.
Machine Capability
Assisted
supervised
The operator is fully responsible for all functions.
Remote
supervised
The operator is removed from all danger zones and controls the machines remotely, the operator is fully responsible for all functions.
Semi Autonomous
supervised Automation
The machine is semi-
automated and is limited to specific conditions.
The Operator is fully responsible for the operation.
Fully Autonomous
autonomous
The full working cycle of the vehicle is conducted completely without human supervision.
Overview of Nerospec SK’s machine control solutions offering – focus Automation
Anywhere
Can be installed at any remote place underground, on surface or in the world
Machine First
Machine first level service and inspection may need to be done through other resources in case of long travel distances
No Travel Time
Operators have no direct proximity to the machine and can easily switch shifts with no travel time to the machine
Installation
Fiber cable installations are required
At the core of each automation tier lies the cyberHUB, a robust and versatile vehicular interface that comprises a controller, data, video, and communication hub, a black box data recorder, an opportunistic data upload system, and a fully integrated A.I. Maintenance and Productivity optimizer. Serving as a universal interface for Trackless Mining Machines (TMM) and Collision Warning Systems (CWS), the cyberHUB enhances productivity and elevates mine safety through the strategic implementation of CRAWL and STOP processes, predictive analytics, while ensuring standardized and secure record-keeping to bolster operational efficiency.
Radio Remote Control
For line of sight operations in dangerous areas mining personnel is required to leave the equipment and continue to work via a remote-control connection to the vehicle. Depending on the simplicity and visibility at the sight there might be a video transmission required, which can be added.
The RRC system is made-up of the remote control, transceiver unit, mode switch, light beacon. These components work together with the basic machine control system via a standard interface.
The RRC system can also have an Operator Proximity detection system added, which prevents the machine from running into the RC-operator.
Radio Remote Control
For line of sight operations in dangerous areas mining personnel is required to leave the equipment and continue to work via a remote-control connection to the vehicle. Depending on the simplicity and visibility at the sight there might be a video transmission required, which can be added.
The RRC system is made-up of the remote control, transceiver unit, mode switch, light beacon. These components work together with the basic machine control system via a standard interface.
The RRC system can also have an Operator Proximity detection system added, which prevents the machine from running into the RC-operator.
TELE REMOTE
For applications where there is not a consistent line of sight, the Tele-Remote or Assisted Tele-Remote system provides an additional video signal, the required connectivity range. The assisted version also provides steering support to ease the navigation through narrow passages. The basic Tele-Remote system is comprised of an RRC system like above, plus 2 (can also be 4) video cameras and the respective displays. Also for the range of the Tele-Remote distance there need to be wireless amplifies installed every 150 meters.
The Control Station can be at a close or far away location, which then requires a fiber-network connection. Also, it can be a hand-held, truck mounted, regular office or full blown Operator Station in a vehicle type seating, if required.
The system can also have an Operator Proximity detection system added, which prevents the machine from running into the Tele-Remote Operator where a mobile Tele-Ops set-up is used.
TELE REMOTE
For applications where there is not a consistent line of sight, the Tele-Remote or Assisted Tele-Remote system provides an additional video signal, the required connectivity range. The assisted version also provides steering support to ease the navigation through narrow passages. The basic Tele-Remote system is comprised of an RRC system like above, plus 2 (can also be 4) video cameras and the respective displays. Also for the range of the Tele-Remote distance there need to be wireless amplifies installed every 150 meters.
The Control Station can be at a close or far away location, which then requires a fiber-network connection. Also, it can be a hand-held, truck mounted, regular office or full blown Operator Station in a vehicle type seating, if required.
The system can also have an Operator Proximity detection system added, which prevents the machine from running into the Tele-Remote Operator where a mobile Tele-Ops set-up is used.
Automation
Automation
For applications where the majority of the machine operation time is done without an operator in the machine cabin, Semi-Autonomous or Full-Autonomous control equipment is available.
Semi-Autonomous operation requires the Operator to take over machine control for non-standard tasks, such as loading, unloading, and special positioning operations. Regular tasks like navigation from point A to point B can be done via trained procedures that are activated by the operator. Then the machine will navigate by itself and ask for support once it arrives. This allows operators to operate several machines in parallel, while waiting.
In addition to the Tele-remote set-up Autonomous machines also require an environment sensing technology, like LIDAR and more on-board data processing capacity.
Full-Autonomous systems also provide further automated capabilities like automatic loading, automatic unloading, automatic navigation with multiple route options or even autonomous operation without any user intervention for the period of the job assignment.
Operator Station Container
Operator Station
Container
For underground or surface operator stations the Tele-Remote Operator working station can be delivered in an airconditioned container, which only needs to be hooked up to power and the data network. The container can feature one or two Operator stations and a table.
Vehicle Intervention Control (VIC)
For safety considerations more mines are implementing Proximity Detection Systems (PDS) including Collision Avoidance functionality. These systems make up of a sensing technology which needs to be adapted to the speeds of vehicles and the safety protocols that are intended to be put into place for personnel marking. The second part of the system is the VIC system, which manages the interventions with the vehicle and takes over control of breaks and acceleration to manage slowdown and stop.
The sensing system needs to be selected based on the specific mine requirements, as a separate project. Our VIC machine technology however integrates with the most detection system vendors, so it can be universally used.
The VIC system is comprised of an additional controller that connects to the machine control system and the detection system.
The VID controller can be installed on any type of vehicle and that way make the Proximity Detection System a mine site universal one. The system complies with highest L9 requirements from the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT).
Assessment of Requirements Recommended
Assessment of
Requirements
Recommended
In all cases of machine control offering, it is required to do a detailed assessment of the specific mining application itself. This can allow the best fit technology solution is proposed to achieve the expected functionality for the best value for money.
