Self-engineering: possibilities for maintenance operations in the mining machines industry

Self-engineering is a relatively new branch of knowledge that aims to understand how systems could “autonomously” re-configure or repair themselves without the intervention of the operators. A direct field of application is within the maintenance spectrum. Having systems or machines capable of self-detecting or even self-repairing could represent a game-changer, in capital asset fields such as the mining industry in particular. This paper aims to investigate the possible benefits and challenges of self-engineering / self-maintenance concerning mining machines, specifically bucket-wheel excavators (BWEs). Firstly, describing the state of the art and the main principles of self-engineering (and, particularly, the applications of self-maintenance) and the complexity of the mining industry in terms of machines and capital assets. Secondly, using as a real case example, the revitalization process of a 50,000 kg bucket-wheel excavator gearbox for an open-cast lignite mine in Serbia, pinpoints how self-engineering / self-maintenance could make the difference in managing the equipment. Finally, it discusses the results sketching the pros and cons of self-engineering in mining machines and similar capital assets

Basic parameters of the static stability, loads and strength of the vital parts of a bucket wheel excavator’s slewing superstructure

© 2016, Zhejiang University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Determining a bucket wheel excavator (BWE)’s slewing superstructure weight and its center of gravity (COG) is of extreme importance not only in the design phase, but also after the completion of the erection process and during the operation of the machine. This paper presents a critical comparative analysis of the basic parameters of the static stability of a BWE 1600 superstructure, with the parameters being obtained by both analytical and experimental procedures. The analysis shows that a relatively small difference in superstructure mass, obtained by calculation, leads to a relatively large unfavorable shifting of its COG, necessitating a significant increase in counterweight mass for balancing. A procedure for superstructure 3D model mass correction is presented based on results obtained by weighing after the completion of the erection process. The developed model provides enough accuracy to determine the superstructure’s COG in the entire domain of the bucket wheel boom inclination angle, and enables accurate load analysis of the superstructure’s vital parts. The importance of this analysis is reinforced by the finding that the procedure prescribed by standard DIN 22261-2 gives results which are not on the side of safety, as shown by an example of strength analysis of a bucket wheel boom stays’ end eyes