Introduction

We're delighted to announce the successful completion of our project with a major metals mining facility, where we implemented the Sorba platform on their two Liebherr T282C trucks. This project was initiated following a successful proof of concept that involved Caterpillar 797 trucks at the mine, conducted in collaboration with customer and their team.

The Problem Addressed

The Liebherr T282C trucks at cusotmer lacked any live asset health monitoring systems, creating a gap in preemptive fault diagnosis. Furthermore, the team did not have a centralized data storage/historian to store and assess live and condition monitoring data.

Approach and Methodology

The project aimed to offer a wide array of capabilities to the Asset Management Team and was executed in a collaborative and flexible manner. It was divided into four stages over a three-month period:

1. Access and Training

2. Installation and Streaming

3. Workflow and Visualization

4. Vibration Sensor Installation

Capabilities Delivered:

• Live data collection from the T282C’s Can Bus
• Live vibration data from traction motors

• Centralized storage of data
• Data visualization to tradesman's mobile devices and a central dashboard
• Supervisor Machine learning algorithms for early failure detection
• Specific Algorithms (“Lackeys”) to detect identified failures
• SMS Alarms for impending failures

Activities Completed

Stage One: Access and Training

The customers’ team was granted unlimited access to a cloud-based Sorba platform and a virtual Smart Data Engine (SDE). Various training sessions were organized to build system familiarity. At the end of this stage, team members were encouraged to analyze offline/simulated data, build Sorbot’s, and begin visualizing data.

Stage Two: Installation and Streaming

Three weeks into the trial, the first draft OpenCan Driver and the data dictionary for the T282C trucks were completed. Installation on the two trucks commenced. Support was provided 24/5, although it's worth noting that due to COVID-19 restrictions, the hardware installation was the responsibility of the customer.

Stage Three: Workflow and Visualization

In this stage, we assisted the site in building workflows and visualizations required from the streaming data. Various projects to include building of supervisor and Sorbots, brake test workflows, and SMS alarms were successfully implemented.

Stage Four: Vibration Sensor Installation

Eight weeks into the trial, external vibration sensors were installed on the traction motors of the T282Cs. Again, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the hardware installation was handled by the customer.

Outcomes

The project was a resounding success, delivering all of the listed capabilities. The Sorba platform is now fully operational on the Liebherr T282C trucks, providing invaluable real-time data and insights to the customer’s Asset Management Team.

For more details on how our Sorba platform can transform your mining operations, please

Empowering Asset Management with Real-time Data and Predictive Insights.

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