CRIS: ABB creates robot to inspect ore conveyors

2023-08-09 14:31:04

ABB created CRIS, a robot to inspect ore conveyors aiming at dynamism in mining

ABB, a company specialized in industrial automation, has developed a robot to automate the maintenance of mineral conveyor belts, which is regarding to be tested in real world conditions.
Developed in Brazil by one of the research committees that the company maintains around the world, Conveyor Roller Inspection Services, also called CRIS, was designed to inspect conveyor rollers with thermal cameras and sensors

Designed to automate roller inspection, the equipment should reduce the number of unscheduled maintenance, increase extraction productivity and even prevent fires due to overheating

The equipment runs along rails close to the mats (photo) to analyze rollers in search of heating and noise resulting from wear. With this data, the equipment’s software predicts when the components should be replaced, avoiding unscheduled stops for corrective maintenance and stoppage of extraction, since the repair of a single roller can stop all operations related to the belt.

CRIS – the inspection robot from ABB

Fausto Almeida, director of ABB’s mining business for Latin America, believes that CRIS can become a relevant tool for mining companies to expand the availability of conveyor belts and increase the productivity of their lines. Especially at a time when the sector is investing to increase the production of metals demanded by the energy transition and to decarbonize its own operations through increased efficiency.

CRIS Versatility

“CRIS analyzes the thermographic image, visual and noise data from the rollers to assess the condition of the components and indicate which components should receive priority for maintenance. Therefore, it allows predictive maintenance and overheating problems to be anticipated, including fires, which can put workers and the operation at risk”, he says.

The executive also says that the robot will automate the manual and unhealthy work of the mechanics in charge of repairing the mats, by making the inspection faster and reducing the exposure of professionals to hazards such as mud, dust, extreme temperatures, falls and mechanical risks. .

The conceptual prototype of CRIS was conceived by ABB’s research and development department in the United States, which, following considering it commercially viable, decided to transfer the development to the Brazilian subsidiary, responsible for serving potentially interested mining companies in Brazil, Chile and Peru.

CRIS was “born” in Sorocaba

The development of CRIS continued in the factory of ABB in Sorocaba (SP) until the robot reached the current pre-industrial version, already close to the one that will be manufactured definitively. This version had its design recently improved by a foundation from Santa Catarina to support innovation, to facilitate even serial manufacturing.

Chile is already a customer

According to Almeida, there are already prototypes of this version on their way to Chile, where they will be tested in real copper extraction conditions, and should also receive additional improvements following the field tests.
“South America has one of the most automated mines in the world. There is potential for this product”, says the executive without detailing when the robot will go into production.

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