Wagner Mining Equipment, a division of the Swedish firm Atlas Copco, recently announced the launch of the first in a series of mining vehicles. The company has dubbed the series “the pace-setters” and feels it will gain market share thanks to equipment innovations.
Wagnee machines are built at a 200,000-sq.-ft. (or 18,000-sq.-metre) manufacturing plant in Portland, Ore. that produces an average of more than one vehicle per day. This makes it the largest production facility for underground vehicles in the world.
Wagner’s new vehicle, the ST-2 load-haul-dump machine, is being promoted as “the Scooptram of the ’90s.” The company is stressing engineering features usually not found in underground mining equipment. The ST-2 has a 1.5-cubic-meter bucket and a tramming capacity of 3,000 kg.
Main features of the ST-2 include a Fail-to-Safe brake system; load-sensing hydraulic system; new cylinder design; a new style of boom; electronic systems monitor; new bucket design; maximum tractive effort; full usage of hydraulic breakout force; high horsepower-to-weight-ratio; built-in test ports with quick couplers; easy accessibility for removal of components; and a new operator compartment.
The Fail-to-Safe brake system automatically applies the machine’s four brakes when hydraulic pressure is not present or is lost. This eliminates the need for a back-up driveline brake or a transmission brake as well as multiple brake circuits and secondary systems. For service, parking, or emergency braking, all four inboard wet disc brakes are applied.
The load-sensing hydraulic system of the ST-2 directs only the necessary pressure and oil flow to the system that requires them. For example, in loading or dumping, the system will sense that increased pressure and flow are required for the dump and hoist system and will automatically provide them. This is accomplished through a new radial piston pump instead of the old dual, or tandem, gear pump systems with fixed displacement. As a result, pump horsepower draw on the engine is reduced by 75%, giving up to 9 hp more to the drivetrain.
The ST-2 features a new design for all cylinders, with pistons that are more durable in that they are less susceptible to damage from shock loads.
The vehicle’s new boom design is the same as that on Wagner’s ST-8B, consisting of 38-mm side plates tied together by three transverse tubular members. The boom connects directly to the centre back of the bucket to eliminate boom bolsters and required critical welds or stress concentrations, which can build up in these areas.
The electronic monitoring system replaces the usual gauges on the instrument panel and checks and verifies correct engine oil and transmission clutch pressures, engine and converter temperatures, as well as the battery-charging system. The system provides visual and audio warnings to the operator in case of malfunction.
The bucket of the ST-2 is equipped with a heal plate that can be used by the operator to shift the vehicle’s pivot point from the front axle to the bucket heal plate. The result is that the rear wheels cannot be lifted off the ground, giving the bucket the full hydraulic breakout force of 8,400 kg.
With a horsepower-to-weight ratio of 7 hp per ton, the machine can reach a speed of 7.2 km per hour tramming uphill on a 15% ramp.
Axles on the ST-2 are Ford’s Series D45N, with inboard planetaries and wet disc brakes. Expected life of the brakes is more than 10,000 hours between overhauls. A major advantage of the axles is that there are only three external seals. There are no face seals or hub seals. TTe inboard planetaries help prevent the axle ends from hitting the mine rib.
The smaller articulation joint allows the operator to sit more comfortably and allows for excellent visibility.
Wagner Mining produces more than 40 different underground mining vehicles and is now in its fourth decade.
Calibration Device for Sound Meters
The Pistonphone, manufactured by Bruel & Kjaer of Point Claire, Que., a unit for precise calibration of sound level meters and microphones, has been upgraded.
The latest model (type 4228) is a small, battery-operated sound source consisting of two pistons mounted on opposite sides of a cam disc. Rotation of the disc forces the pistons to move in phase, in and out of the coupler cavity. The design reduces harmonic distortion and ensures stability. The high sound level from the unit allows correct calibration to be made in the field, even in noisy surroundings.
Weightbelt Feeder
A heavy-duty, intermediate-capacity weightbelt feeder is available from Riede Systems of Minneapolis, Min. The feeder employs a unique, 2-idler, full-floating weigh platform with full 61-cm weight span and a direct-coupled, digital belt speed sensor.
Users can monitor rates precisely in kilograms per minute and total weight in kilograms. An optional digital set-point controller provides automatic control of a prefeeder and/or the unit’s belt speed.
The unit is available in open or enclosed-frame construction in mild or stainless steel.
Three belt widths (46 cm, 61 cm and 76 cm) are available from capacities from 725 kg to 180 tonnes per hour.
Expert Shell for DPC
An expert system shell for distributed process control (DPC) is available from Bailey Controls, based in Wickliffe, Ohio.
Designed for use with Bailey INFI 90/NETWORK 90 distributed digital systems, EXPERT 90 is the industry’s first system to build process control expert systems that adjust set points and take direct control action, a company release says.
The system can identify probable causes of process upset or explain the cause-and-effect relationship of existing alarms. It also can provide step-by-step instructions to users during the start-up or shut-down phases, based on the existing status of the system.
The system accepts “English-like” statements to express solutions and features a “menu” to guide the user in making entries.
A personal computer is needed to implement the system.
Software for Structural Geologists
A computer software program, designed to relieve structural geologists of the time-consuming task of plotting structural data, is available from Frontenac Wordsmiths of Brockville, Ont.
Called SpheriStat, the program grew out of an original version developed by Prof. Pierre-Yves Robin of tte University of Toronto.
The program features support for a large variety of computer-printer configurations; integrated data entry, editing, analysis and plotting.
The distribution of point densities is also calculated, along with associated statistics dealing with preferred orientations of poles.
Intergraph Software
Two new computer software products for use on the company’s MicroStation GIS Environment are available from Intergraph Canada.
One, called the IMAP Stereo-plotter Interface Mechanical, integrates analog stereo-plotters into the MicroStation GIS environment.
The other, called I/RASC, is for integrated display and use of continuous-tone images with vector files.
High-density Grout Pump
Two Sudbury-based companies, BLM Mincon and Continuous Mining Systems, are marketing a grout pump suitable for cable-bolting operations.
Called the Minpro-3, the pump features a high-shear mixer, simple one-man operation and a choice of either compressed air-powered or electricity-powered motors. The unit can be mounted on either wheels or skids.
Designed to pump high-density grout mixed at a ratio of one part cement to 0.3 parts water for distances up to 300 metres horizontally and 25 metres vertically, the unit is ideal for installing cablebolts. Only high-density grout will produce a bonding strength equal to the ultimate tensile strength of the cables. The unit is equipped with a 400-kg capacity mixing tank.
Submersible Mixers
Mixers, designed to handle turbulent flow mixing, solids suspension, low head pumping, oxidation, process mixing, ditch applications, flow creation and more, are available from Flygt Canada based in Pointe Claire, Que.
Because the units do not have external gear box
es and tank glands, they offer a real improvement over fixed, side or top-mounted mixers. Also, maintenance costs are lower.
High-security Padlocks
Padlocks designed so that 342 million key codes exist are available through a Canadian distributor.
Manufactured in Brazil by Papaiz, Tetra-Key padlocks offer exceptional security. A special cylinder in the shape of a cross forms the heart of the locking mechanism.
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