MANAGEMENT

Strata to distribute Aura IQ conveyor monitoring system

Aura IQ system was developed in partnership with research organisation Mining3

 Fibre

Fibre

Future Fibre Technologies' Aura IQ system will benefit mining and tunnelling customers due to its ability to identify and classify specific early-stage conveyor roller failures, said Atlanta-based Strata.

Aura IQ's automated condition monitoring capabilities reduce unplanned maintenance work, extend the life cycle of idlers and potentially removing personnel from harm.

The Aura IQ system, developed in partnership with research organisation Mining3, works by transmitting a series of short, laser pulses along a single fibre optic cable retrofitted along the length of a conveyor. Acoustic disturbances from the conveyor system cause microscopic changes in the backscattered laser light categorised into known parameters.

Data is simultaneously gathered from every metre of the conveyor and processed by Aura IQ to pre-emptively alert operators, either on or off-site (in operational hubs or control rooms), to potential failures before they happen.

"We are thrilled to be the first to offer this technology to our mining and tunnelling customers," said Mike Berube, CEO of Strata Worldwide.

Aura IQ's technology harnesses the power of FFT's fibre optic detection and sensing technology platform (FFTTM Aura Ai-2), and is combined with development partner Mining3's advanced signal processing algorithms and predictive analytics to acoustically monitor and assess conveyor health via the cloud-based analysis, reporting and alerts.

"[This system] uses the latest in technology and artificial intelligence to replace what is currently a very labour-intensive process," said Future Fibre Technologies group head of innovation, Andrew Hames.

"Maintenance staff walk along kilometres of conveyor belt with infrared cameras, handheld audible devices and for visual inspections, looking for subjective indications of failed rollers and then marking each for follow-up. Our technology not only tracks failure progression and flags wear symptoms, failure modes and wear status but also shows you where to find it." 

 

 

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions