The pieces of MacLean Engineering's digital twin are slowing taking shape.
The Sudbury-based equipment manufacturer, which employs almost 1,000 people around the world, has spent the last few years focused on integrating the three pillars of electrification, automation, and digitalization.
After purchasing an underground test facility in Lively, just outside of Sudbury, and establishing a 15-unit fleet of battery-electric vehicles at the Newmont Goldcorp-owned Borden gold mine, near Chapleau southwest of Timmins, the company said it's been working towards developing new technology to enhance their product line for a digital age.
“We've got lots more to do, but we want to share our progress with the industry, because we believe that no single company can transform the industry alone,” said Stuart Lister, vice-president of marketing and communications at MacLean.
“In the past almost 50 years, MacLean has been unique because of our combination of real-world mining experience, manufacturing expertise, and a deep pool of engineering expertise. It's about being nimble as a business. We will build a market for this kind of technology around the world because of our global reach and our skill in these niche solutions.”
On each of the 15 vehicles at Canada's first all-electric mine, the company has installed a vehicle-monitoring system that streams real-time performance data.
The MacLean IntelliOp VMS package includes sensors and display screens installed on each unit, supported by analytics software that sifts through the data gathered and presents it to the operator in a useful format. This software enables predictive maintenance decision-making and improved operations.
In the new year, the company plans to launch a cloud-based documentation platform with a lot of useful features.
The “Documoto” portal will allow customers to purchase parts in a way that resembles a typical online consumer retail experience (think Amazon).
MacLean is using their test facility to shoot training videos that will also be available through the Documoto portal in addition to an entire library of training content as well as parts books and technical manuals.
Finally, the company plans to extend their augmented and virtual reality capabilities.
In addition to their current VR bolter simulation, they want to create pre-op walkarounds and full simulator treatments for the MacLean blockholer and MacLean shotcrete sprayer, the company noted. These training mechanisms will help operators during the classroom stage, before they go underground to work with company trainers.
The company said it remains committed to rolling out the digital twin and hopes in the future that service technicians will be able to bring a smart tablet into a mine, hold it up to a piece of equipment, and get a a full report of the vehicles history.
