Motion Control & Drives


Optimising mining operations through control and industrial automation

August 2023 Motion Control & Drives

With over 22 years experience representing some of the world’s most renowned industrial brands, including Rockwell Automation, Referro Systems offers a range of cutting-edge products to help mining companies improve their efficiency, reduce downtime, and save costs. Among the many solutions that Referro provides are valve interlocking systems; trapped key systems; soft starters; and variable drives for load sharing multiple motors to the same driven load to control speed, direction and torque – all of which are of particular interest to the mining industry. These products are designed to work together seamlessly, providing a cost-effective way to optimise operations and increase productivity.

Allen-Bradley drives

The Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755 AC drives provide ease of use, application flexibility and high performance in one easy to use, powerful package. These include multiple control and hardware options, and optional embedded safety features. These drives are well suited for a wide variety of motor control applications including pumps, fans, crushers, extruders, hoists and conveyors.

With Integration on EtherNet/IP, these drives can be integrated into the same network as many other devices, including I/O, soft starters, motor protection devices, and a variety of field devices. A dual-port EtherNet/IP Option Module supports ring, linear and star topologies, and device level ring (DLR) functionality for fault-tolerant connectivity and high availability.

Advanced features allow these drives to run multiple motors on the same driven load to provide unrivalled load-sharing capability, allowing motors to work together and maximise efficiency without adding complexity. This is particularly useful in the mining industry, where multiple motors are often required to operate in tandem to ensure high performance, smooth, efficient conveying system operation.

Allen-Bradley trapped key interlock switches

The Prosafe range of trapped key systems and valve interlocking systems are designed to ensure that machinery can be accessed only by authorised personnel. These systems help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of equipment damage.

A choice of multiple different configurations makes up this range and includes:

• Access trapped key interlock switches.

• Chain trapped key interlock switches.

• Bolt interlock trapped key switches, with or without electronic timed-delay.

• Slamlock trapped key interlock switches.

• Rotary trapped key interlock switches.

• Miniature valve trapped key interlock switches.

Motor control centres

Referro Systems manufactures control, motor control and power distribution centres, which include control and power distribution systems, and various motor control disciplines such as direct-on-line starters, soft starters and variable speed drives for low-voltage applications.

The company designs and builds control, power distribution boards and motor control centres in-house to customer specifications, utilising products from leading global brands. It provides IEC or UL compliant motor control and power distribution centres, with a fully engineered solution delivery capability.

Case study

There are examples at a multitude of gold, platinum, iron ore and manganese mines throughout southern Africa where a wide variety of Powerflex 750 Series drives, SMC-Flex and SMC-50 soft starters and Prosafe trapped key systems, amongst others, have been successfully implemented. The resulting benefits include a significant reduction in downtime, comprehensive diagnostic information available to operations and maintenance staff, improved safety, and increased productivity and process flexibility.

These products and solutions are designed and manufactured by Rockwell Automation, a name synonymous with high quality, with a design philosophy of seamless integration, efficiency, and ease of implementation, leading to significant cost savings and productivity improvements.

In the mining industry, optimising production is a vital aspect of business success. That is why at Referro Systems we offer products that are specifically designed to help our mining customers maximise their efficiency, optimise their operations, and increase productivity to make them more competitive in the various markets in which they compete.

Referro Systems is a sales and distribution company for many of the world’s leading electrical, automation and global software and hardware brands across industrial and commercial sectors. The Level 2 BBBEE company supplies best-in-class industrial automation, electrical control and instrumentation, fit for purpose, and provides cost-effective solutions.




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