Digitalising mineral processing operations
November 2020
IT in Manufacturing
Mining’s accelerated move toward digital solutions since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic is being supported by FLSmidth’s decades of research and development.
Terence Osborn, FLSmidth’s director of product and account management for sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, highlights that R&D; is the lifeblood of the company’s new technologies. So much so that it has some 80 projects underway to improve its mining-related offerings.
“The power of digital technology is certainly a key element of these efforts,” says Osborn. “Together with our Blue Box digital concept, based on our ECS/ControlCenter, which is a cyber-secure interface between our equipment and cloud data storage, we use our SiteConnect mobile app to monitor the performance of equipment and process plants in real time. The ECS/ControlCenter V8 process control platform sits at the heart of our digital vision, a key component in our growing portfolio of digital solutions and services that we call Enablr.”
An example of this applied capability is an FLSmidth Reflux Classifier modular plant operating on a South African mine. Using SiteConnect, operations managers can have real-time access to over a hundred operational parameters on the plant. Data analytics linked to the cloud data can also generate time-based trends for instant viewing on the app.
“We have also developed SmartCyclone technology for our hydrocyclones,” notes Osborn. “This innovation uses sensors to detect wear and roping, a condition that reduces separation efficiency. By sending an alert when certain operating parameters are breached, the system ensures optimal efficiency is maintained, even as slurry conditions in the circuit vary.”
He concludes that the company’s machine-level solutions are offered as part of plant and process packages. At both plant and process level, there is also FLSmidth’s advanced ECS/ProcessExpert solutions, which facilitate not just monitoring and control, but advanced optimisation enabled by state-of-the-art AI technologies.
The company’s R&D; pushes the boundaries of performance in a range of mineral processing fields. These include advancing its lamella plate technology in mineral separation applications, adapting its vertical roller mill for dry grinding in mining, and extending wear life of pumps with new polymers.
For more information contact FLSmidth South Africa, +27 10 210 4000, flsm-za@flsmidth.com, www.flsmidth.com
Further reading:
Why do smart manufacturing initiatives often fall short of expectations?
January 2021, RJ Connect
, IT in Manufacturing
One of the major obstacles holding back the success of smart manufacturing projects is IT/OT convergence.
Read more...
Siemens introduces Analyze MyDrives Edge
January 2021, Siemens Digital Industries
, IT in Manufacturing
As part of the Digital Enterprise SPS Dialog, Siemens has launched Analyze MyDrives Edge, its first edge application for drives.
Read more...
Analyze MyDrives Edge
January 2021, Siemens Digital Industries
, IT in Manufacturing
As part of the Digital Enterprise SPS Dialog, Siemens has launched Analyze MyDrives Edge, its first edge application for drives.
Read more...
SA company launches AI-based risk screening mobile app
October 2020
, IT in Manufacturing
The Instant Vitals app converts a mobile phone into a key vital signs medical device that could save lives when screening for Covid-19 symptoms.
Read more...
Danfoss debuts Alsense
November 2020, Danfoss
, IT in Manufacturing
Danfoss has updated and enhanced its service offering to create a more sustainable, scalable and secure cloud-based portal for managing food retail operations.
Read more...
Schneider Electric provides digital technologies to the mining industry
November 2020, Schneider Electric South Africa
, IT in Manufacturing
“The organisation has invested significantly to develop a specialised competence in mining applications,” explains Marc Ramsay, vice president industry business unit at Schneider Electric South Africa.
...
Read more...
2020 MESA virtual conference – if you missed it you missed out!
January 2021
, Editor's Choice, IT in Manufacturing
Arguably the best lineup of guest speakers in years; to top it you’d have to get Elon Musk and Kanye West to present at next year’s event.
Read more...
Smart manufacturing and the new normal
November 2020, Absolute Perspectives
, IT in Manufacturing
In manufacturing, it is likely that billions of dollars have been lost in 2020, while a high percentage of manufacturing jobs have been negatively impacted.
Read more...
Will OT take over MES?
October 2020
, IT in Manufacturing
Industry 4.0 forces the convergence where IT needs to knock on the door of a manufacturing plant and sell OT, not IT or MES.
Read more...
Get full value from data science
October 2020, Omron Electronics
, IT in Manufacturing
As huge amounts of data become available from the factory floor, information must be extracted and presented to the right audience, at the right time, and in the right way.
Read more...
printer friendly version