smartBridges devices deployed to facilitate underground excavation

Recently, one of our partners has deployed smartBridges Access Points and Client devices in order to automate a mining facility.

The first stage of this network was to create a wireless link between the control tower and the stacker. The stacker’s function is to stack the material, which is collected by a reclaimer, into a stock pile. Four smartBridges Access Points were mounted on the control tower, while four Client devices were placed on a corresponding stacker. Mine workers were then able to send instructions to each of the stackers while situated at a central location.

The second stage of this network is to mount a CCTV camera on each reclaimer which is moving at approximately 5 - 10km per hour. The mine worker at the control tower can then monitor the progress of the reclaimer in real-time.

Previously, stackers and reclaimers were manually controlled machines that required an individual to travel back and forth to each machine in order to program the instructions. In recent years, the machines have become more automated and can accept instructions through a wired or wireless network.

A wireless network is best suited for such an environment because of the lack maintenance required as compared with a wired network. The deployment cost is also much lower and offers a faster return-on-investment. This deployment improves the productivity of the mine workers and also improves on safety as now it’s not required to manually program each stacker or reclaimer.

Click here to contact us if you are interested in deploying a similar project anywhere in the world.