Rugged new Cat loader

The Cat 993K wheel loader is a totally new model and offers a new size class in the Caterpillar line. The 23-tonne capacity matches perfectly with the Cat 777 and 785 off-highway trucks.

Built on an all-new platform, the 993K loader features z-bar linkage, hydraulics and power train that deliver superior penetration into the pile and high breakout forces–20% more than the 992G. The increased performance and capacity result in a 15-20% better productivity than the 992G.

The new loader also features the Cat C32 ACERT engine for increased performance and U. S. EPA Tier 2/EU Stage IIa emissions compliance. It produces net power of 950 hp (708 kW).Maintenance is easier with the Cat exclusive sleeve bearing pins that eliminate the need for daily greasing of the front linkage. For increased reliability and to lower life cycle costs, the 993K is designed to meet mining customer rebuild requirements and has an estimated 45,000-hour structure life.

The loader design emphasizes operator safety and comfort. The wider platform allows a spacious cab, and a trainer seat is standard equipment. Seat-mounted controls allow precise operation even on rough ground, and electronically controlled lift and bucket tilt detents can be set from the operator seat. The optional rear-view camera increases the view behind the machine.

For additional information about the 993K wheel loader, customers should contact their local Caterpillar dealer or visit the Cat web site at www.Cat.com.

P&H 4100C BOSS available with AC option

P&H Mining Equipment recently introduced the 4100C BOSS electric shovel with Centurion AC drive to the oil sands region of Alberta. This development resulted from a two-year project to integrate current AC technology with the advanced P&H Centurion supervisory control system. P&H MinePro Services Canada mechanics and electricians commissioned the new shovel in March 2007, and performance immediately exceeded customer expectations. In over three months running, the new shovel consistently generated strong gains in productivity and availability within the operations of a major oil sands mining operation.

P&H DC technology and the P&H Centurion supervisory control system have been highly regarded for reliability, durability and performance value in severe-duty mining operations. Now, with recent advances in AC technology, P&H is offering an AC alternative featuring air-cooled drives specifically sized and packaged by partner ABB to meet mine-duty requirements. The control system remains Centurion with motors designed and manufactured by P&H.

The Centurion AC option was developed in response to customer requests in recent years. AC has become more “mainstream” at mines, as plant equipment, haul trucks and locomotives are now using this drive system. P&H project teams evaluated AC solutions that would offer reliability along with potential gains in material loading rates. Early results are very encouraging, with production rates over 50% higher than requirements, and running averages of 96% availability.

Two additional 4100C BOSS units have been ordered and several others are under discussion. P&H DC drives will continue to be offered on all models, providing alternatives that will best match the customers’ need.

P&H Mining Equipment is a subsidiary of Joy Global Inc. For more information visit www.PHMining.com.

Geosoft 2008 software release delivers productivity gains with ESRI integration

Geosoft Inc. has begun shipping its 2008 versions of OASIS MONTAJ ^and TARGET 7.0. The new generation of Geosoft earth mapping software has ESRI’s ARCENGINE technology built-in. Customers will be able to work between their Geosoft and ESRI environments with fewer steps and better results, promises Geosoft.

“With this software release, geoscientists have greater flexibility and control in achieving the quality results they need. Our strong strategic partnership and technology integration with ESRI has enabled us to make milestone improvements in workflow and productivity– meeting our customers’ requirement to share data easily between their Geosoft and ESRI application environments,” says Louis Racic, director of product management at Geosoft.

With version 7.0, Geosoft has embedded ESRI’s ArcEngine into Oasis montaj and Target, enabling geoscientists to use ESRI tools to natively display Arc . mxd and . lyr files, without leaving the Geosoft environment. ArcGIS and Geosoft users can share their files seamlessly and spend more time collaborating in an increasingly integrated environment. The result is improved workflow.

To make it easier for geoscientists to access more of the data available to them, Geosoft has expanded the range of internal and public data servers to include: Geosoft’s DAP, ESRI’s ArcIMS, WMS and Tile servers. The result is data-at-your-fingertips capability that allows geoscientists to spend their time interpreting, rather than finding and reformatting data.

In addition, version 7.0 offers various new ways to display subsurface geology, such as fence diagrams, 3D geology voxels, and the automatic creation of 3D geological surfaces.

Together, these improvements give customers better access to data and greater confidence in making informed decisions.

Explore the variety of Geosoft’s proven solutions at www.Geosoft.com.

New Paradigm subsurface imaging software

Paradigm Geophysical Corp. has released the next generation of its Common Reflection Angle Migration (CRAM), a new high-resolution subsurface imaging solution that is designed to improve the quality of information obtained from seismic data processing. The new program is part of Paradigm’s GeoDepth 2D/3D velocity modeling and depth imaging suite.

Based on a new procedure that maps recorded surface seismic data to subsurface image points, CRAM is specifically designed to help resolve difficult subsurface illumination problems and facilitate and qualify the extraction of direct hydrocarbon indicators from seismic data. The ray-based application maintains flexibility while inheriting the desirable properties of full-waveform solutions. CRAM offers a new perspective on ray-based imaging that provides solutions to a broad range of imaging objectives, including detailed velocity model determination, target-oriented high-resolution reservoir imaging, and quality reservoir property extraction from complex areas.

For more information on CRAM and other Paradigm products and services, contact your regional office directly (information at www.pdgm.com) or email info@paradigmgeo.com.