The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News – September 14, 2022
Autonomous mining equipment, such as these Cat haul trucks, rely on reliable and robust wireless networks to operate.
Rajant Corp., a global leader in industrial-grade broadband communications technology, has teamed up with FTP Solutions, a provider of market-leading wireless network monitoring systems, to deliver the extremely reliable and robust communications networks required for efficient and effective autonomous mining operations.
Rajant's patented Kinetic Mesh technology offers mine sites with the robust and secure wireless network coverage required for the autonomous operation of haul trucks and earth movers. Unlike normal wireless networks that depend on fixed infrastructure to deliver wireless coverage, Kinetic Mesh utilizes breadcrumb nodes mounted on equipment and fixed locations that communicate with each other. When combined with Rajant's InstaMesh networking software, this creates a web of communication relay points that routes data via the fastest and most reliable path.
Kinetic Mesh was recently certified to provide the consistent connection needed for both Komatsu's FrontRunner Autonomous Haulage Solution and Epiroc's semi-autonomous and autonomous drills being deployed at mines around the world.
More information on the Kinetic Mesh certifications can be read at Rajant wireless tech for Komatsu haul trucks in the July 27, 2022 edition of Metal Tech News.
To further integrate Kinetic Mesh into modern mining operations, Rajant is now teaming up with FTP Solutions, an Australia-based company that provides the de facto autonomous mining management software for operations around the globe.
"With over 270 mines deployed worldwide, many of which already support autonomous hauling, drilling, and dozing, FTP Solutions provides the sitewide operational intelligence to ensure the mines run at peak performance," said Geoff Smith, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Rajant.
The operational intelligence offered by FTP Solutions is the product of the tech company's Integrated Management System (IMS), which is considered the industry-leading e-wireless network monitoring platform.
IMS software allows mine operators to track their assets and network connectivity in real-time and avoid "bubbles" – blind spots created by one of the assets if the network loses connectivity. This can create a domino effect that can have a major impact on the productivity at an autonomous mine.
IMS allows mine operators to identify potential causes of these "major bubbles" and quickly identify the exact source of errors within autonomous haulage systems to quickly resolve the issue before it creates a bigger problem.
"Just like a Rajant network is fast and easy to deploy, the FTP IMS software provides visual insight into a mine's complete network, so it is easy for any mine manager to see the state of the network at any point in time," said Smith.
The mine downtime-saving insights offered by FTP Solution's proactive mining technology monitoring and management software have drawn the attention of mining equipment giant Caterpillar Inc., which has been a strategic partner of the Australian tech company since 2017.
With its official partnership with Rajant, FTP Solutions plans to elevate the network reliability at modern mines around the globe.
"We have managed Rajant networks for many years. We appreciate the robustness and performance the Rajant network provides, so we are excited to take mines to the next level," said FTP Solutions Chief Operating Officer Calvin Snodgrass. "With over 40 autonomous mines supported today, being able to deploy Rajant provides additional value to our customers."
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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