Bischofsheim/Rhön, Germany, 16th February 2016 – the development face in underground mining can be a dangerous and uncomfortable place of work – risks to the miners include gas explosions, gas and rock outbursts, dust, heat, humidity or any combination thereof. IBS, together with the newly founded joint venture company INMINE GmbH, will present and demonstrate “iRoadheader”, an innovative teleremote operator assistance and profile control system enabling the machine to be operated safely from 200m away or more. When equipped with this system there is no longer any need for personnel to be present in the danger zone at the face thereby drastically reducing the risk to their well-being. The system can be fitted to any suitable roadheader or similar development machine and/or retrofitted to existing equipment.
iRoadheader: Efficient Development from a Safe Distance
iRoadheader utilizes remote controls, high-tech radar positioning, HD camera supervision, audio feedback, smart PLC/computer software and robust hardware to provide high quality imaging and data for an “at the face” feeling for the remote operator. This enables roadheaders to be used the most severe and potentially dangerous development environments without the need for the operator and other personnel to be at the face. Not only is safety improved considerably but productivity is also increased.
The radar positioning systems enable precise negotiation of vertical and horizontal changes in gradient and the excavation of 90° junctions or cross-cuts. An additional benefit is more accurate cutter head guidance and profile control minimising unnecessary overcut. All the components are of extremely robust high quality “Made in Germany” design and also available in full compliance with the ATEX Directive for use in underground coal mines. “Improving the safety and welfare of the workers at the face underground is of prime importance to us”, says Dr. René Nitsche, MD of IBS and INMINE. “iRoadheader is already in operation on a number of machines and has also already saved lives. We derive great satisfaction and considerable motivation from the positive feedback from the mining industry and the miners themselves”. Visitors to the IBS stand can see and try the iRoadheader for themselves on a simulator. The complete system has been developed in cooperation with indurad GmbH, a market leader in high-tech industrial radar solutions. The system is being marketed by INMINE GmbH, a joint venture company co-owned by the two partners.
Roadheader Starter RS2.0: State-of-the-art Control Systems for Maximum Availability. The second highlight on the IBS stand is the smart switchgear cabinet Roadheader Starter RS2.0. Fully compliant with the ATEX Directive the switchgear cabinet includes many new hardware and software features not yet seen in underground coal mining. This innovative technology with its wide range of functions leads to considerably improved safety, a greater degree of efficiency and much enhanced reliability. A 15” full colour interactive display panel enable the user to access vital status information via menu navigation with the aid of 3D graphics. The system also enables self-explanatory troubleshooting and comes with on-board condition monitoring as standard.
An early warning system has been included to prevent avoidable failures and consequential damage to other components. As a result, the life-expectancy of key components such as electric motors is increased considerably. As standard the package includes the hardware for remote control as well as the solenoid valve blocks for the hydraulic system. Fault indicators and status information are not only displayed on the panel but can also be stored on an SD card for later analysis using standard PC office software. The whole system is capable of withstanding relatively high voltage fluctuations which are common in underground operations.
Mining 4.0
With the aid of an optional client server it’s possible to integrate the RS2.0 into a network and provide permanent remote access, real time data transmission, monitoring, diagnostics, etc. All relevant information can be made available on PC’s or smartphones anywhere on or connected to the network. A remote maintenance module provides enables quick and accurate diagnostics as if the service technician was at the machine. As standard, RS2.0 can be connected using standard intrinsically safe DSL (phone cable) technology. Alternatively, intrinsically safe fibre optic technology is available. Sven Erb, IBS Chief Electrical Engineer, explains “Automatic system diagnostics with clear text reports result in much quicker resolution of faults. Furthermore, the need to open the flameproof enclosure in a potentially explosive atmosphere is greatly reduced. This, in turn, results in considerable improvements to safety and productivity”.
Visitors to Bauma 2016 in Munich between 11th and 17th April are welcome to visit our Stand no. 302 in Hall C2 to see and experience for themselves our unique but wide range of products and services. Our experienced team of experts are at your disposal to provide detailed information and professional advice. Convince yourselves!