Modular interface capabilities expand and deliver

Modular Mining Systems of Tucson, Ariz., is expanding its customized, state-of-the-art ModularReady interfaces, helping customers attain significant maintenance savings and overcome the unique challenges of their fleet.

In 2006, a ModularReady interface to the General Electric StatexTM III drive system was implemented, providing savings of over $1 million in fleet maintenance costs for a long-standing Modular customer, Iron Ore Co. of Canada (IOC). When the IOC operation identified an opportunity to reduce costs by monitoring and managing the use of service brakes on Komatsu trucks, they requested implementation of a Statex system configuration to monitor haul truck operator brake activity in real-time. The interface successfully allows for event notification in real-time by the DISPATCH system and alerts the dispatcher immediately.

The ModularReady VIMS interface has increased the capabilities of MineCare customers operating Caterpillar equipment. Customers have reported increased interactivity with their fleet, including the ability to remotely troubleshoot problems, capture alarms and create trends to monitor for site-specific issues. ModularReady versions of the VIMS interface exist for many equipment models, most recently including Cat 994D loaders.

Other notable ModularReady interfaces engineered in 2006 include the DPI interface for Sandvik drills in Ghana, automatically capturing and storing hole counts and depths into the DISPATCH system. The DPI interface with Liebherr 994 and 996 hydraulic excavators provides robust communication between the mine operators and equipment, making real-time excavator health information accessible, such as alarm codes, operating parameters, and abnormal events, ultimately improving operating efficiency.

For more information on Modular, the IntelliMine system, or the company’s new, revolutionary systems for rail management and equipment automation, visit www.modularmining.com.