Smart components : Creating a competitive edge through smart connected drive train on mining machines

Abstract: Major drivetrain components of the Epiroc machines like axles, gearboxes, transmission, torqueconverter, clutch, and bearings are critical components which are focused upon in this thesis. Failure of these major component results in breakdown of the vehicle and if early fault detection is not existing, then this causes engineers and technicians to spend a substantial amount of time to identify the root cause of the failure. Due to this, the machine stands still until the problem is identified and repaired creating a negative impact on customer satisfaction. Thus, failure of these components results in costly downtime. Ways of improving the uptime of the machine have been an ongoing discussion due to costly downtime subjected to component failure. To improve uptime, reduce MTTR, and create acompetitive edge, a drivetrain sensor system is suggested to implement in this thesis that will monitor real-time operating data from these drivetrain components. In this way, the health of the drivetrain will be continuously monitored and if there is any degrade planned maintenance can be scheduled well in advance and spare parts inventory can be managed more efficiently. In addition, this will generate competitiveness for Epiroc products in the market. Epiroc being in competitive business, continuously aims to improve its products and services to satisfy customer needs, improve total cost of ownership, life cycle cost, and increase sales and profit. Epiroc is a leading productivity partner for the mining, infrastructure, and natural resource industries. It develops and manufactures innovative drilling rigs, quarrying, and construction equipment with state-of-the-art technology and provides world-class service and consumables.