Skip to main content

Remote control crushing

Following a trial of Metso Minerals' Nordberg Plant Management System at Hanson Aggregates' Ystrad Meurig Quarry, UK, the software has now been installed on a further six mobile machines at Lithalun Quarry. Metso installed the remote control system on the Lokotrack LT300HP for Hanson last year to allow the company to test the advantages of the wireless communication capabilities. The system has now been extended to the LT110 primary crusher, another LT300HP and its two ST358 and ST620 mobile screens.
July 16, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSFollowing a trial of Metso Minerals' Nordberg Plant Management System at 2644 Hanson Aggregates' Ystrad Meurig Quarry, UK, the software has now been installed on a further six mobile machines at Lithalun Quarry.

Metso installed the remote control system on the Lokotrack LT300HP for Hanson last year to allow the company to test the advantages of the wireless communication capabilities. The system has now been extended to the LT110 primary crusher, another LT300HP and its two ST358 and ST620 mobile screens.

"We've seen how easy it is to get process information into our office computers," said Hanson unit manager Simon Swinford. "Just by logging into the Metso extranet I have access to all our machines. I can now view production tonnes, fuel consumption and effective crushing reports from all of the Metso machines in our quarry. It's a great help in monitoring how the machines are being used."

The LT110 and two LT300HP's also have the belt-way system for reporting production tonnage, and all of them are connected to the Metso PM reporting system. Tonnes per hour and cumulative tonnes are all now reported via the web interface.
The Nordberg Plant Management System collects data from the machines' control systems and transmits it wirelessly via GSM/GPRS. The heart of the system is the ACN C65 Metso data collection unit, a robust, industrial IP65-certified computer developed by Metso to operate in tough production environments. The reports produced can be opened on any computer connected to the Internet, usernames and passwords guarantee security of access for all registered users.

Hanson Aggregates' Lithalun Quarry also has a service agreement with Metso and the plant management system helps service personnel to monitor data such as the running hours completed by each machine. According to Paul Allen, Metso's field service manager, it allows contractual service obligations to be scheduled well in advance.

The Nordberg Plant Management System can be installed on most Lokotrack LT mobile crushing plants and ST mobile screens equipped with IC series automation control systems. Installation can be carried out on site.

RSS

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Mason Brothers keeps on crushing with Sandvik in Wales
    December 20, 2018
    A mobile crushing, screening and scalping train from Sandvik is playing a key role in ensuring that Welsh quarry business Mason Brothers meets customers’ demands. Family business Mason Brothers Quarry Products has a long-standing relationship with Sandvik which goes back to the 1990s, said Alun Mason, managing director of Mason Brothers. The wide range of products produced at the quarry ranges from type 1 sub-base to ornamental and building stone. The company also supplies volumetric concrete, concret
  • Innovative testing boosts pavement quality
    February 16, 2012
    Innovative materials testing technology will allow the road sector to boost pavement quality, Mike Woof and Patrick Smith report. With billions being spent on highway construction worldwide, governments are looking to make sure their investments last as long as possible.
  • MPA pro-active on cyclist safety
    July 18, 2014
    The MPA (Mineral Products Association) and its members have been taking significant action on a key recommendation in the UK House of Commons Transport Committee Cycling Safety report relating to Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), published today. One of the Committee’s recommendations (16) calls on the freight industry to “create a culture of safety among HGVs” and requests “the establishment of a timetable for the development of an industry-wide code of conduct”. In support of this, MPA had already launched
  • MPA pro-active on cyclist safety
    July 18, 2014
    The MPA (Mineral Products Association) and its members have been taking significant action on a key recommendation in the UK House of Commons Transport Committee Cycling Safety report relating to Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), published today. One of the Committee’s recommendations (16) calls on the freight industry to “create a culture of safety among HGVs” and requests “the establishment of a timetable for the development of an industry-wide code of conduct”. In support of this, MPA had already launched