LOAD & HAUL
Cook explains, “We use knowledge
gained from this testing to apply to new models. Moving on from simulation, we have facilities where we install the system on small equipment and automobiles for early field testing. Next, we install the system on actual equipment at our proving grounds where we test in a mining environment running double shifts. All this happens before we ever install at a customer site.” As well as the purely autonomous
The JCB Uptime Centre
enables more decisions to be made onboard.” Cloud computing handles non- critical analysis that is not time sensitive, and deeper analytical analysis can be done offboard while events are tracked in the system.
Te company has been operating
underground for 15 years. Cook thinks productivity improvements are more common with autonomous underground operation. “Machines are more productive, with improved accuracy of tunnel navigation and reduced downtime due to damage from contact with drive walls. And mines that incorporate automation are more productive with fewer people underground. Tere’s no need for workers to evacuate for blasting or travel long distances to and from the surface.” Te plan is to take the learnings
from autonomy into manned machines. Te work on collision avoidance is one example. “Collision avoidance is an emerging technology,” says Cook. “Preventing machine movement when
18
www.engineerlive.com
conditions dictate are key features coming.”
TALKING COMMS Cook notes, “Over the past 20 plus years, we’ve continued to leverage improvements in communication technology. We view 5G as a technology well suited for congested, urban environments. It will have widespread use in consumer and large city settings, where large volumes of data are required for transfer, but that doesn’t necessarily make it suitable for open pit, surface mining at this time given its short transmission distances. As the technology evolves, we’ll continue to monitor how it can be leveraged for improvements in our solutions.” Behind the scenes Cat has used VR/AR technologies in the design and manufacture of its machines and associated technologies for more than 10 years. Hardware-in-the-loop and software- in the-loop testing achieves a more efficient product development process.
creations, the company is also interested in leveraging this new tech for semi- autonomous and normal driven vehicles. Cook continues, “We have multiple options for dozers ranging from remote control to semi-autonomous operation where a single operator controls four to five machines. Again, allowing the operator to remotely operate the machine in a safe environment is key. Semi- autonomous systems require additional communication bandwidth due to video but can serve as an ideal solution for maximising dozer push operations. “It’s dependent on what issue the customer is trying to solve. Machine recovery, unstable footing, aggressive ripping, misfires, stockpiles, bench slides and steep slopes are ideal operations for remote control dozer operation. If the customer is trying to remove process variability, autonomy may be the answer.” To aid the driver, Cat employs a fatigue detection technology, which works by monitoring eye-closure duration and head pose. JCB has taken the ‘use-the-tech- to-help-the-driver’ route instead of autonomy and has just announced an expansion in its Uptime Centre scheme, with the latest office opening in Singapore to cover the South East Asia region. Data is collected with LiveLink monitoring and predictive algorithms examine whether there are any likely upcoming maintenance issues. In addition, the company has created a new app for operators to perform tasks such as making the pre-start machine check process electronic and allowing operators to leave comments. Data such as idle time and fuel consumption can be more easily accessed by owners. So as the technology continues to
evolve, operators can look forward to gradual incremental improvements leading to safer, cleaner mines.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
