Quality Digest
Published: Monday, November 20, 2023 - 12:01 (ABB: Zurich) -- ABB has successfully completed testing of an industry-first automated robot charging technology for underground mines in partnership with mine operators Boliden and LKAB. The goal is to make mines safer by automating one of few manual processes left in mining: charging the blasting holes with explosives. Blasting schedules in underground mines can vary, but the process takes place up to 15 times per day in larger mines as miners expand the chambers to extract mineral and metal ores. The ABB robot charger automatically detects boreholes and fills them with charges without the presence of humans, removing the need for people to be near the unsupported rock face during blasting sequences. The completed testing phase confirms the effectiveness of integrating the robot charger with a carrier vehicle, communication with bulk emulsion and vision systems, and incorporation of a second robot arm to assemble the primer and detonator. It ensures full reach to all borehole levels and areas of the rock face as well as remote control for operators. The program has been undertaken at Boliden Garpenberg, which is the world's most productive underground zinc mine, 180 km northwest of Stockholm. ABB is now embarking on the final stage of development, which aims to execute the full blasting sequence in the underground mine with full control of the robot handed over to the customer. ABB is also starting discussions with other mine operators to eventually join the co-development project so that the technology can be tested in different mine environments and in regions beyond Northern Europe with varying climate and rock composition. “This is a significant technology development for ABB and the wider industry, where safety is part of overall ESG commitments,” says Vedrana Spudic, head of technology for the business line mining at ABB. “The robot locates the drilled holes on the rock face using a vision system, and these recent tests show all can be reached and charged with the cycle fully automated. This removes the need for human operators in a small, unsupported area right at the face.” ABB developed the robot charger technology with vision systems and automation solutions to communicate with the truck, crane, and ABB industrial robotic arm. The solution can be retrofitted to any truck. ABB draws on 130 years of experience in the mining industry and is a pioneer in the integration of electrification, automation, and digitalization in mining. For 40 years Quality Digest has been the go-to source for all things quality. Our newsletter, Quality Digest, shares expert commentary and relevant industry resources to assist our readers in their quest for continuous improvement. Our website includes every column and article from the newsletter since May 2009 as well as back issues of Quality Digest magazine to August 1995. We are committed to promoting a view wherein quality is not a niche, but an integral part of every phase of manufacturing and services.
Metrology Successful Test of Automated Robot Charger for Underground Mines
ABB robot charger automatically detects boreholes, fills them with charges, with no humans present
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