Operator assist

Drill Tele-Remote Operation provides flexibility for increased visibility and control from outside the drill cab. This is especially well suited for times when the drill needs to operate in a more challenging environment, or the operator needs the ability to see things he or she might not see from the cab.

The tele-remote control provides more range and more features than other remotes, which means an operator can work from a comfortable space, such as in a truck. It leverages the same control and response as if operating from the cab, enabling productivity from a distance.

All drill control functions are available through the console, including our advanced technology features:

• Remote navigation and operation
• High precision GPS
• Geofencing
• Integrated camera system
• Auto level and auto drill
• Physical lockout key
• 500 ms communications watchdog

Offers advanced technology features

• High precision GPS: Two global positioning sensors in fixed locations on the drill define the drill’s location and orientation with accuracy down to 1 centimeter. A moving image on the operator display helps in accurately locating the target position for the hole.
• Geofencing: Your mine can define the boundaries of drill operation by uploading GPS coordinates to create a geofence around the work area. Operation is automatically stopped if the drill attempts to move outside this boundary.
• Advanced auto drill: Maintain optimal depth-of-cut with rotary speed and feed rate adjustment. Advanced exception handling enables operators to compensate and adjust to situations that impact overall cycle time performance spontaneously, keeping the bit engaged. This can include reacting to hole collapse, drill chip blockage in between the string and wall, or adjustments to handle potentially adverse vibration conditions and user feedback to avoid over-drilling.

• Fully automated cutting sequences
• Ability to create initial cutting profile and extraction heights

Overview

Our advanced shearer automation increases productivity and reduces operator exposure to dust and noise. The technology allows the longwall shearer operator to program fully automated cutting sequences, including gate end turnarounds.

In addition, the operator can create an initial cutting profile and extraction heights through the use of a graphical offline planner. Once the plan is in place, the machine automatically replicates the profile until the conditions change. The operator then has the ability to override control of the roof drum to follow the preferred horizon. Using the new roof horizon data, the remainder of the cutting sequence is fully automated using the pre-defined extraction heights.

This advanced level of automation enables the most efficient cycle times possible while providing cutting consistency from one day to the next. 

The continuous miner two-way radio remote is designed with the operator in mind:

• Large controls for common functions, easily differentiated by feel
• Common functions located to be close to operators’ natural hand positions
• Less common functions are smaller toggles or buttons
• Dedicated harness that places the weight of the remote on the shoulders
• Proportional response from all levers and joysticks (with exception of the tram controls)
• Uniquely shaped levers to differentiate functions

Main features include:

• Strong construction
• Two-way communications with machine
• Smart battery pack
• Ergonomically designed for operator
• No connectors on handset, ease of maintenance (apart from battery terminal)
• Spread spectrum radio system provides secure connection with machine
• Mating transceiver on-board machine is located out of the dirt and is inside an XP enclosure

The two-way radio remote is ideal for use in industrial mineral mining.