Automation integration specialist, JH Tester Industrial Automation, has integrated Software as a Service (SaaS) based monitoring and data visualisation technology into mining Water Evaporators manufactured by Minetek.
Australian OEM Minetek provides comprehensive water evaporation systems, underground ventilation, and sound reduction solutions for the mining industry.
"We saw an opportunity to enhance our portfolio by adopting an innovative technology that allowed remote, real-time reporting of critical assets. The Minetek team was very particular in nominating a highly capable industrial system integrator with a proven track record in delivering custom innovative solutions and successful delivery of major projects," said Michael Fraser, senior electrical design engineer, Minetek.
"JH Tester Industrial Automation was our chosen delivery partner, implementing Rockwell Automation's cloud-based FactoryTalk® DataMosaix™ technology. This has revolutionised how we work with our customers to critically monitor their remote assets," added Fraser.
With satellite connectivity for remote locations, Minetek can now capture real-time data, store this valuable information on a more secure cloud server, and evaluate real-time performance in intuitive dashboards, anywhere, any time.
"This real-time digitalisation of operating performance offers valuable insights into critical assets. Further performance optimisation, including analysis to assist with repair and maintenance, enhances overall operating efficiencies," said Fraser.
Fraser shared that one of the main things Minetek uses DataMosaix for is data capture, data visibility, analysis, and real-time reporting for the water evaporation side of the business. "Data security is essential to our customers, and this is built into the system, and is an area of speciality for both Rockwell and JH Tester," he added.
JH Tester has more than 40 years of experience providing innovative solutions involving electronics, robotics, bespoke machines, and automation technologies.
"Minetek wanted to provide its customers with more real-time visibility on the performance of the equipment, to enable proactive maintenance and to validate agreed performance targets," said Murray Tester, director, JH Tester.
"We had to consider different equipment across multiple sites, and needed a solution that could bring everything together neatly, so we chose Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk DataMosaix," Murray said.
Getting smarter with data
FactoryTalk® DataMosaix™ enabled Minetek to attain more resilient and secure data connectivity – including all the sensor information, alarms, and engineering documents – from a variety of source systems, for each of the remote assets.
Customers of Minetek with multiple sites were able to scale deployment quickly for each additional site, because to bring a new site online only required an edge industrial PC running a DataMosaix extractor.
FactoryTalk DataMosaix contextualises and merges engineering technology data with operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) data into one solution with the goal of full production automation. By integrating data from any vendor and all parts of the production system, it makes data available, meaningful, and useful, so that standard applications and custom app development platforms can make data valuable.
Minetek opted for a SaaS solution, which eliminates the need for any physical infrastructure and associated maintenance requirements.
The data generated enables Minetek's customers to schedule optimised predictive maintenance schedules to reduce downtime and save cost.
"This means that FactoryTalk DataMosaix was not only the right technical fit, but a more cost-effective solution that continues to deliver benefits over time," said Murray Tester.
"Rockwell Automation has a reputation for data security, and extensive global support, so this gave Minetek the confidence that DataMosaix was the right solution.
"Minetek is a global solutions supplier, so having the backing of one of the world's biggest automation companies gave us the peace of mind that we'll be supported every step of the way," added Murray.
Future potential
JH Tester is in the process of rolling out Rockwell's FactoryTalk DataMosaix on Minetek's Water Evaporators, with several sites deployed, and more underway. Once all sites are fully integrated, Murray sees potential for even greater value to be realised from the technology.
"DataMosaix has huge potential. It can be used for anomaly detection, predictive maintenance and scheduling, and it can compare real-time with historical data to optimise performance," he said.
"There's even the potential to set up DataMosaix at an enterprise level so that all information is in the one place. Each asset can have manuals, technical data, maintenance logs and downtime all readily available in the one place," he added.
"While we are only using DataMosaix for operational technology data currently, it is capable and ready to integrate IT data, should Minetek or its customers wish to add this in the future."
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