Unlocking access to data produced by your mobile equipment fleet has never been easier thanks to RCT’s latest innovation, which captures vital and previously withheld machine information.
The RCT EarthTrack® Machine Data Gateway (MDG) provides mobile equipment owners with the freedom to access important data streams on their fleet performance without needing to engage with machine manufacturers to obtain the information.
The unified hardware platform harvests vital data streams on the behaviour, durability and lifespan of machine systems and can dramatically alter machine fleet activity, operator behaviour and maintenance requirements.
As with all RCT’s solutions, the MDG is technologically agnostic and can integrate with any type of machine make or model, making the solution ideal for companies that operate mixed fleets.
Data is presented in various ways depending on the machine. This means businesses may have to interact with multiple platforms and data formats. Whereas the MDG will unify and translate the data from each machine, and collate it into a single, easy-to-interpret format.
Once stored, companies have endless choices available to analyse data. They can interface the data with their chosen business analytics software and transform the information into actionable directives to advance productivity.
“The challenge has always been the collection of the broad spectrum of data being generated by machines. This is no longer the case with MDG. Also, businesses will no longer be limited to accessing the data that the OEM ultimately chooses to release,” said RCT’s Mining and Resources Product Manager Mick Tanner.
“Utilising the MDG, our clients will have the freedom to access data to advise changes in areas such as machine component lifespans, service needs and changeout requirements.”
“By harnessing the power of the MDG, companies will no longer be locked into the service regimes dictated by the machine OEM.”
“No matter what machine brand or third-party system an operation has, data is delivered in a consolidated format. The information will allow them to determine what works best for their specific requirements, at all times.”
The MDG works seamlessly with an API to provide information from the work site to a company’s server or cloud-based information system.
As the MDG creates its own unique meshed network, it transfers data between each piece of equipment which eliminates the need for expensive communications infrastructure on site.
“It ensures vital information is not missed at times where communications are fragmented or dropped out,” Mr Tanner said.
The MDG is equally suited to installations with a more permanent network infrastructure to safeguard the retainment of important information for business analytics.
With a permanent network infrastructure, the product guarantees the successful delivery of real-time information at all times.
Machine Data Gateway is the one solution every business needs to obtain total access to unlimited raw data. And, by processing it, businesses can get deeper insights to identify how to improve fleet operations in the long term, and ultimately improve bottom lines.
Learn more about the MDG here.
Gold mining company Silver Lake Resources is more efficiently managing its earthmoving fleet in Western Australia following the implementation of smart technology company RCT’s EarthTrack® information monitoring tool.
RCT recently commissioned its market-leading EarthTrack® Payload Management System on Silver Lake Resources’ mixed fleet consisting of 5 Cat 777F Dump Trucks, 1 Hitachi 1200-6 Excavator and 1 Hitachi 1900-6 Excavator.
The solution provides Silver Lake Resources’ machine operators with real-time information about payload distribution and optimal load weights at the Mount Monger operation in Western Australia’s Goldfields.
Site managers can now closely monitor machine and operator productivity, prevent truck strut damage from over loading, reduce tyre wear and achieve better fuel consumption to significantly reduce overall running costs.
The system transmits payload data from the truck being loaded to the loading tool – in this case the excavator – which enables the loader operator to fill the trucks tray to the optimal weight.
One of the EarthTrack® system’s key features is that it monitors payload distribution in real time and alerts the operator of an uneven distribution allowing them to take action to avoid strut damage.
The systems external LED Payload Display conveniently relays the load weight to any personnel in visual range of the display.
RCT Account Manager Scott Phillips said the system will maximise efficiency and productivity of their mining fleet.
“This solution enhances the excavator operator’s ability to load dirt in an effective manner that ensures optimal loading conditions with every bucket.”
“Ineffective loading can lead to strut damage and wear and tear to machines which results in costly maintenance downtime to the mining fleet.”
“This tool will enable site personnel to make better decisions to ensure smooth and consistent operations while allowing site management to monitor the operation closely.”
RCT will continue to provide after-sales support and technical assistance as required.
Traditionally in mining, the focus has been on the everyday running costs of large machines operating on site while the daily costs associated with light vehicle operations is often overlooked.
However, it has become apparent through client feedback that light vehicles operating inefficiently are proving to be very costly. As companies start to focus on cost savings for these vehicles, RCT has designed a monitoring solution to address this demand.
According to a 2020 report on Fleet Management Market by M&M, the industry would be worth $34 billion by 2025 at a compounded annual growth rate of 11.3%.
Taking cue from the fleet industry, the mining fleet management market is adopting fleet monitoring to increase productivity for its light vehicles.
The EarthTrack® Light Vehicle Monitoring delivers machine and operator data from multiple light vehicles across a site.
“It empowers management with the information needed to improve light vehicle operations to lower maintenance costs from damage, reduce unplanned maintenance and deliver an overall safer operation by encouraging better driving habits,” said RCT’s Global Operations Manager, Dave Holman.
The solution is scalable and consists of automated reporting, operator login, pre- and post-start checklists, engine, speed and impact monitoring.
“We’ve had reports from some clients that they are seeing about $10K a month in damage due to vehicle abuse and driving conditions and that is on top of the programmed maintenance costs. So the EarthTrack® Light Vehicle Monitoring aims at eliminating these costs,” he said.
The end-user will receive an automated summary report on events and violations, early warnings on engine conditions to ensure preventative maintenance can be carried out. Reports can be delivered daily, weekly or monthly depending on preference.
“Managers will have access to information that they normally wouldn’t have which in turn empowers them to make smart, cost-saving decisions going forward,” said Holman.
The EarthTrack® Light Vehicle Monitoring system is designed to fit any make or model of light vehicle used on site including utes and personnel carriers.
Updates are delivered via a smart device and only require Wi-Fi or cellular to work. Data is live to the point of last transmission to the cloud and in instances where the network coverage is not available, data will be logged and uploaded once a connection is made.
The system can monitor as many vehicles as required with website access hierarchy; companies can monitor an entire company fleet based on regions or sites if deployed at multiple locations.
As with all of RCT’s products and solutions, the EarthTrack® Light Vehicle Monitoring system is backed by ongoing support.
RCT believes in pushing the boundaries of the traditional ways of doing things and as a result, it has remained cutting edge since its establishment in the 1970s.
In recent times the mining industry has recently undergone significant changes as it embraces and leverages automation and digital technologies to streamline efficiencies to increase productivity, safety and significantly reduce costs.
RCT has been there, every step of the way and as a result, it has released its own Interoperability statement.
“The statement is necessary in today’s digital world as the demand for data continues to grow significantly as clients look towards analytics and systems to process, analyse, interpret and convert to the desired information,” said RCT’s Mining and Resources Product Manager, Mick Tanner
It outlines how RCT’s systems will communicate within this digital sphere in order to adhere to data privacy and ensure safety within this space. Available on RCT’s website, it covers data accessibility, fleet data compatibility, data privacy and protection.
RCT’s EarthTrack® data and information product range is its highly interoperable solution that will deliver clients relevant information. This information system will do so by retaining systems original character and integrity without compromising the safety of other systems.
“The term Interoperability means the ability of a system to work with or use the parts of equipment of another system,” he added.
Although Interoperability is the latest buzzword, RCT has long held the philosophy of ensuring that its systems have always been able to integrate with client’s existing infrastructure seamlessly.
“As an independent technology supplier, this has always been our point of difference from the OEM’s systems,” said Tanner.
“RCT’s systems can integrate with any machine, regardless of make and model. Also, within any mine’s communications network and infrastructure and with any other systems; sharing critical information without compromising safety and system functionality.".
The Elko Mining Expo is one of the oldest and most respected mining expos held in the US and RCT was proud to take part for the third year in a row.
This expo came onto RCT’s radar prior to the opening of the company’s US branch, and it has proven to be the ideal event for the company to have a presence at for numerous reasons.
“The team sees the event as a great opportunity to support the Elko community and to network with existing and potential clients in the area,” said RCT’s USA Account Manager for the West Coast, Ben Gunderson.
About 8,000 people attended this year’s event from near and far which resulted in a busy few days for the team.
“RCT’s booth piqued a lot of interest from passers-by throughout the two-day event. I believe it is because our offering is extensive and our automation range is versatile,” said Gunderson.
“It was a great opportunity to further familiarise visitors with RCT and showcase our entire range of solutions on offer.
The main attraction was of course our automation solutions; however, our EarthTrack® information systems were also sought after.”
“It was my first expo representing RCT, and I look forward to many more to come,” he added.
The phrase ‘information is power’ is a widely used term. However, RCT believes its relevant information that empowers customers; which is why for the past 10 years, the company has been providing exactly that.
This information journey began in 2005 when RCT saw the opportunity to expand into a new market following feedback received from customers about the demand for information in the logistics market.
“There was definitely a gap in the market for a reliable package around third party hardware so RCT jumped at the chance to fill the niche,” said RCT’s Head of Product Management, Dave Holman.
RCT began by collecting forklift and logistics data using a third party hardware, however, it wasn’t long until the company were forced to design and manufacture something more suitable to the application and the SmarTrack® Fleet Management was created.
“It’s a rock-solid, effective, fit-for-purpose, easy to maintain, wed-based reporting system that delivers relevant fleet information in real-time to any device with internet access,” he said.
Managing industrial or logistics fleets can often be problematic as they generally comprise of a large, mixed fleet.
“An information system like SmarTrack® can provide information on machine utilisation, servicing, and damage,” said Mr Holman.
“SmarTrack® provides our customer with live, up-to-date information allowing them to effectively manage their fleet without leaving their desk.”
With more than 4,000 units in the field, RCT is the second largest supplier of information solutions to the industrial market. However, a worldwide distribution deal signed with a prominent German forklift manufacturer will see the company deliver significantly more in the near future.
On the back of SmarTrack®’s success in the information systems field RCT wanted to take this extensive experience in empowering its customers with the latest machine information and apply it to the mining industry.
“As the mining industry looked to increase efficiencies, the demand for relevant information grew so RCT set its sights on being able to deliver this data within the confines of an underground communications network.”
In response to this industry demand, RCT designed a solution which empowers the customer to make their business efficient; rather than just overload them with information.
This saw the deliverance of the EarthTrack® Fleet Management solution, specifically designed to meet the data management needs of the mining industry.
“The relevant data delivered to customers results in sites achieving KPI’s by targeting efficiencies of machines,” said Mr Holman.
“Agnostic across all machines, this cost-effective solution has no real limitation to what it can offer,” he added.
With more than 10 years’ experience in the information systems business, RCT is well-versed in providing clients with relevant information for its customers to get the most out of their fleets – regardless of what industry they are in.