Safety is paramount for national printing specialist, Ovato who have successfully utilised RCT’s Muirhead® Speed Gates solution at its warehouse operations in Western Australia.
Muirhead® Speed Gates automatically reduces an industrial machine’s speed depending on pre-determined speed restrictions across a logistics site.
Meaning that regardless of operator input this product effectively enforces speed limits in yards, inside warehouses and common pedestrian areas.
The technology is mounted above warehouse entrances/exits and racking aisles and communicates with Machine Location Tags fitted to the roof of equipment such as forklifts and reach trucks.
Ovato WA Logistics Manager Mark Mead said their operation uses a fleet of Toyota forklifts including plain models and machines with clamp and grab capabilities.
He said since being installed the Speed Gates have worked well and the site has not recorded any incidents.
“I have had no reports from anybody on site about any issues or problems so I would say they have definitely been a success at this location,” he said.
“The product is pretty much set and forget so the staff are aware it is there and when driving the forklifts you notice the change in speeds when you drive around inside the warehouse and then move outside.”
Mr Mead said they sought to install Speed Gates to improve safe forklift operations and ensure compliance with safety policies.
“Similar to how we have speed limits for cars onsite it is important we have the same rules with forklifts,” he said.
“If you are carrying a two-tonne load then you want to have confidence that you are in control of the machine’s speed so it makes sense to have Speed Gates for sure.”
RCT prides itself on innovation to remain leading edge in all facets of the mining and industrial industries and the company’s Muirhead® Fire Suppression monitoring system is an excellent example of this.
The solution integrates with all types of autonomous mining equipment and enables machine operators to activate any brand of fire suppression system, from their control room.
The system builds on an earlier version of the technology whereby an equipment operator sitting in the machine’s cab could manually activate the system if a fire occurred onboard.
“Through discussions with a well-known fire protection solutions provider, RCT re-designed the existing manually actuated fire suppression system,” said RCT’s Account Manager, Phill Dean.
“They needed the operator to be enabled to deploy the machine’s fire suppression system from their Remote Operations Centre whether that be at site offices or in the city far away from the mine site”, he said.
RCT developed an engineered solution to cater to this need and now, it is more in demand than ever.
“The mining automation field has grown significantly over the last 10 years and is readily used at various mining sites around the world.”
The Muirhead® Fire Suppression monitoring system can integrate with all brands of fire suppression OEM or 3rd Party provider solutions in the market and be applied to all autonomous mining vehicles.
The RCT solution is unique in operation, re-designed to interface into a technologically-agnostic autonomous interface.
RCT’s Muirhead® Speed Gates solution is revolutionising safe machine fleet practices across logistics and warehousing sites.
Speed Gates ensure all industrial machines – such as forklifts and reach trucks – are travelling at an appropriate speed for its surroundings.
The system is easily deployed at entrances and exits within materials handling facilities and caps maximum speeds on any piece of industrial equipment passing through the zone.
A worksite may be set up to include four safe speeds per site ensuring the materials handling equipment can only travel at designated speeds within defined locations.
The Speed Gate system consists of a gate located above entrances and exits which communicate with a Machine Location Tag mounted on or close to the roof of an industrial machine.
The Machine Location Tag then communicates with a Muirhead® Speed Limiter to manage the speed of the machine.
Additionally, depending on machine type, the Speed Gates may be able to interface directly with OEM speed limiting features.
RCT Product Manager Mick Tanner said the system will effortlessly enable safer materials handling operations.
“Speed Gates will ensure machine operators are fully compliant with site-specific speed limits and keeping in-line with government safety regulations,” he said.
“Improved speed control within your warehouse will reduce the chance of accidents and protect machine operators and other workers.”
“The system is simple to install and requires no ongoing maintenance essentially the system is set and forget.”
“The system can be applied to any type of materials handling equipment regardless of manufacturer so is ideal for both large and small sites that operate mixed fleets.”
RCT has so far received positive feedback from fleet managers at sites which have been using Speed Gates.
RCT is proud of a long-standing partnership with Barminco and AUMS to deliver innovative solutions to overcome challenges at their mining operations.
Barminco and AUMS are constantly embracing new technology that will deliver value to their clients. RCT and Barminco share a long history and have worked together to deliver technology to their mining operations.
The most recent innovation we have partnered together on is to eliminate transmission and engine damage of the Atlas Copco MT60-20 vehicles at an AUMS project in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
Together we have installed a speed limiter, engine overspeed system into the vehicles, through our collaboration it ensured a smooth installation of this new system.
This system is used to monitor speeds both on the surface and underground to ensure safe works on declines within the mines, to ensure safety in a restricted environment, reduce damage on the engine, drive line and overall reduce damage to the machines while underground.
By installing this device, Barminco can continue to deliver safer and more productive mining operations for their clients.
RCT prides itself on continually innovating to remain revolutionary, this is reflective across ALL of its sub-brands, and the Smart Service Monitor is no exception.
The newest product is part of the Muirhead® range of protection solutions designed to protect both machines and operators.
Easily installed, the Smart Service Monitor takes the traditionally basic device, which previously only gave an estimate on when a machine requires a service and delivers an all-round information system for up to eight inputs.
“This allows the monitoring of up to eight measurable components. Having the information allows for companies to schedule servicing of different components of a machine when it’s due,” said RCT’s Mining and Resources Product Manager, Mick Tanner.
“Information is power and having accurate information, delivered in an easy and concise manner allows management to ensure machines and their individual components are serviced correctly, therefore significantly increasing machine availability and extending the lifespan of equipment,” he added.
The Smart Service Monitor was developed by RCT in response to industry demand.
“Clients wanted more specific information about their machines and components in order to streamline efficiencies. Having all the machines operating at optimal performance ensures this is achieved.”
“This solution is all about minimising the costs associated with machine running costs and maximising the utilisation of machines.”
For example, it is possible for the monitor to intelligently log engine run hours; by monitoring the RPM the device can monitor the time in idle and the time in a work state off the same input. the counter has been designed to count, up or down depending on what is required.
By logging such an integral piece of information, it is possible to ensure that machine servicing is carried out regularly when required to ensure optimal performance. This is not only a legal obligation to reduce any risks because of unexpected failures but it also prevents machines running at a lower efficiency.
Designed to monitor the work hours of equipment to alert the user if the equipment requires or is overdue for a service. In addition, it is also capable of sending out both visual and audio alarms to alert the operators.
“The most impressive aspect is that the system can monitor up to 10 different things at once, which allows the end user to have a great overall picture of a machine’s health and be assured operations are running optimally,” he said.
All that is required to monitor a machine component via the Smart Service Monitor is either a frequency input, PWM input or just a straight digital or analogue voltage.
In addition, the Smart Service Monitor is complementary to RCT’s Automation solutions. The Smart Service Monitor can record the operating hours of these solutions to ensure servicing can be carried out at appropriate times to maintain optimal efficiency.
In addition to being versatile and adaptable, RCT’s Smart Service Monitor is easy-to-install and can be positioned on any machine; it does not require a specific machine to work. The device is configured through an inbuilt programming tool.
All that is needed is a smart device, PC, laptop or phone connected to the Wi-Fi. For security reasons, connection is password-protected to prevent people from making changes that the supervisor might not want including re-setting counters.
End users are provided with integral information about machines that they would not normally have access to.
“They can basically monitor the hours of anything they see of value,” said Tanner.
There are four stages of alerts when a service is nearing its due date, giving plenty of warning in order for servicing to be scheduled accordingly.
“RCT’s Smart Service Monitor is a game-changer – instead of purchasing multiple meters to monitor specific component and machine hours, you can just buy the one to do the job and do it well.”
Global smart technology specialist RCT is pleased to partner with American company Reliable Industries to supply quality technology solutions to mobile equipment around the world.
The partnership involves RCT manufacturing its foundation products the Muirhead® protection systems, their industrial fleet management system Smartrack® Global and its AusProTec™ specialised electrical parts range.
Reliable Industries will supply the products to their existing customer base consisting of mining, power generation and industrial companies located in more than 60 countries.
The 40-year-old company will explore opportunities to implement additional RCT technology solutions to their clients on a case-by-case basis.
RCT Dealer and Product Management Andrew Sells said the partnership will greatly benefit both companies.
“RCT and Reliable Industries both have reputations for providing quality technology options around the world and going forward we can offer our services to a very broad customer base,” he said.
“Both companies understand that prompt service and having stock on the shelf ensures that our customer base is well serviced, both RCT and Reliable share this common value.” he said.
“Our Muirhead® and AusProTec™ products incorporate decades of experience operating in mining and industrial operations in some of the world’s harshest conditions and they will rise to any occasion.”
“We regard Reliable Industries as a very competent partner with a history of supporting clients in all of their operational needs.”
Reliable Industries International Sales Manager Christopher Callow has welcomed the partnership.
“Reliable Industries has worked in association with RCT for many years now and they rise to the challenge every time,” he said.
“RCT has a vast array of quality products that solve many problems which our clients encounter across the scope of their organisations.”
Its well-known RCT’s experience spans nearly five decades, however it is not common knowledge that for two of those decades the company has been actively helping clients in South America.
It all began with the company’s foundation solution, Muirhead® protection systems. These were requested by a client wanting to get more longevity from their bulldozers and loaders which were machine re-builds.
Since this initial project, RCT has gone from strength to strength in the region. As a result, the company has helped deliver fit-for-purpose solutions, encompassing all of its brands, to big name clients including, Codelco, Antofagasta Minerals, Anglo American, BHP, and many more, both directly and partners.
The South American mining region in general is well-known for its copper and gold mines, all of which are located in areas exposed to extreme weather conditions (the heat and the cold) in addition to some being positioned in high altitude locations, making for some precarious working conditions for miners.
Therefore, RCT’s premier automation and control solutions - ControlMaster® have and continue to be in demand in both surface and underground mining operations in the region. While RCT’s Line-of-Sight and Teleremote options dominate the surface mining market, the full automation range is in strong demand for underground mining operations.
This journey for these solutions began in the early 2000’s after RCT completed an audit for ControlMaster® Line-of-Sight controllers at BHP’s Escondida Mine in Chile. The world’s largest copper mine wanted a proven solution to safeguard bulldozer operators manning the ROMpad feeders and crushers. RCT were able to retrofit the mobile machines with the technology that removed the operators from the cab of the machine and allowed them to operate it from a safe location - ultimately solving the issue for the client.
By 2008 RCT collaborated with Hexagon mining to engineer and deliver a bespoke solution to Codelco’s Andina mine site that allowed them to operate safer and for longer in the lead up to the winter shut down, reducing the number of days they had to stop work. This R&D project saw the delivery of a ControlMaster® Teleremote solution, paired with a Muirhead® Speed Limiter and combined with Hexagon Mining’s MineOps Geofencing systems installed on a Komatsu WD600 wheel dozer.
The company was fast becoming a household name; however, it was RCT’s project at Codelco’s El Teniente in 2018 that cemented its reputation in the region. RCT’s ControlMaster® Automation solution helped El Teniente successfully and safely mine ore rich mud in what is believed to be a world-first mining method in these conditions. This impressive feat was facilitated by RCT’s specialised department, RCT Custom, who delivered the bespoke solution to minimise the risk involved in mining in these conditions.
This project required RCT to retrofit its ControlMaster® solutions that were previously installed on Codelco’s mobile machines operating at its Adina surface mine site before integrating the refurbished equipment, installing them on working production loaders (Sandvik LH517’s) into the existing mine network. The solution removed the operator from the cab of the loader and allowed them to control the machine from the comfort and safety of an Automation Station located in an underground control room of the mine.
RCT’s solution allowed El Teniente to recover mud ore reserves that were previously deemed too dangerous to access due to the mud flow into these areas. In addition to this, the loaders were able to tram faster, avoid walls and obstacles after being automated which significantly increased productivity and reduced machined damage and unplanned downtime.
“It was with this project that RCT earned itself a strong reputation technically, it really put us on a solid footing going forward,” said RCT’s Commercial Executive, Phil Goode.
This project was also monumental for the company as it further reiterated the need for RCT to have more of a local presence and compelled the company to open an office in Santiago, Chile last year. The team, comprising of five, multilingual staff are working hard to support our existing and new clients in the region.
“Having a team working locally helps RCT to better function in Chile and other South American, Spanish speaking countries. Technically we have always been very good, but the office allows us to understand the business culture and provide that next level of support to our clients,” he said.
“Most importantly, it allows us to provide the first rate level of customer service and after sales support we have built a solid reputation on delivering to all of our clients around the world.”
Currently RCT’s innovative solutions are being delivered in Tailings and Waste Management situations with the company working with various customers in the region to safeguard their operations in this field with the ControlMaster® range of solutions.
With a local presence, a strong point of technology difference and the experience and knowledge RCT will continue to make its mark in South America going forward.
“We are very different from other companies in the region. As we have been in the industry for 48 years now and therefore we have an immense amount of combined experience in various regions around the world, which can’t be matched, we bring that experience to each client to deliver solutions to meet their specific requirements,” said Goode.
Global Smart Technology company RCT is looking forward to attending the fourth annual Utah Safety Conference and Expo taking place in Salt Lake City.
RCT’s Regional Manager for North America Andrew Sells and Industrial Account Manager Ben Booth are excited about engaging with delegates about the company’s suite of fleet management, protection and automation technology.
Featuring the latest safety products and services the event will feature keynote speakers, 40 breakout sessions and networking luncheons.
Mr Sells said he is looking forward to the event.
“Being able to network with key members of the safety industry who are all together in one place is an invaluable opportunity for us,” he said.
“RCT’s technology has a proven history of safeguarding workers and machinery in multiple industries such as materials handling, mining and construction.”
“We can promote the benefits of our technology while gaining an important insight into industry trends and expectations in an effort protect workforces.”
“From our office here in Salt Lake City we can promptly deliver our technology and all levels of support to clients throughout the region.”
The Utah Safety Conference and Expo will take place at the Mountain America Expo Centre from Feb 19-20.
Please contact Andrew Sells to arrange a meeting at the conference by emailing xxxxxxx@xxx-xxxxxx.xxx
Autonomous solutions specialist RCT is thrilled with the result of the Worthy Parts Industry Link Auction and Expo in Kalgoorlie last week.
Staff from RCT’s Kalgoorlie branch attended the two-day event and showcased the company’s automation and control products, protection systems and parts range.
Mining industry workers and families alike were drawn to RCT’s Automation Centre which simulated how the company’s automation technology is being utilised at mines around the world.
RCT’s staff engaged with roughly 200 individuals over the course of the event who represented Australian mining companies, mining suppliers and civil contractors.
RCT Account Manager Scott Phillips said the event presented an invaluable opportunity to engage with everyone in the Goldfields region.
“Everyone loved the opportunity to sit in the Automation Centre and to see how equipment operators can use this technology to safely carry out various mining activities in the region and around the world,” he said.
“The Worthy Parts Expo enabled all the local mining industry figures to come together under one roof and being able to network and engage with everyone at this event has been very valuable for us.”
“We fielded a lot of enquiries about our ControlMaster® automation range as well as our Muirhead® protection systems.”
“We also had the unique opportunity to meet with motorsports legend Casey Stoner who was very interested in our automation technology.
RCT also contributed to an expo charity project by installing our ControlMaster® Teleremote technology and Muirhead® Fuel Cap Isolation system onto a refurbished CAT R2900G underground loader which was auctioned at the expo with the proceeds being donated to a local charity.
RCT is looking forward to attending similar projects in the future.
Autonomous solutions specialist RCT received a warm welcome from attendees at the 2019 Elko Mining Expo in Nevada recently.
Staff from RCT’s Utah and Australian offices exhibited the company’s automation, protection, fleet management and parts ranges to local attendees over the course of the two-day public event.
RCT Account Manager Landon Lounsbury said they directly engaged with roughly 100 people over the course of the event.
“We had a lot of interest in our ControlMaster® automation products as well as quite a few enquiries about our Muirhead® protection systems and how it could benefit local mining operations,” he said.
“Almost every person who attended our stand was already aware of our work with mining companies in the region and they were extremely positive about our ControlMaster® product and said it was the system they want to use going forward.”
“Based on our experiences at recent projects, RCT is becoming the preferred automation company for mining equipment in the Elko region.”
Mr Lounsbury said the event was well attended by a mix of mining industry employees and members of the local community.
“The event was a great opportunity to engage with the local community to promote the important work we are doing on mining projects in the region,” he said.
“With all the different vendors, suppliers, mining companies and mine contractors in one place we were able to effectively spread information on what we do at RCT.”
“Having potential customers referred to us from other clients was the icing on the cake.”