Maintaining its market-leading position in conveyor solutions, Tru-Trac unveiled an innovative system at Electra Mining Africa that will significantly impact all operations that use conveyor belts.
Early detection of potential issues on conveyor systems is crucial in mining and other materials handling applications. To address this need, Tru-Trac introduced the Rip Prevent+ system. This cutting-edge monitoring technology, set to disrupt the sector, identifies and mitigates conveyor belt anomalies and damages, minimising downtime and enhancing efficiency and productivity.
Now available in Africa, the Tru-Trac Rip Prevent+ system allows mines to optimise their conveyor lines’ performance by preventing costly interruptions due to rip events. The system has proven effective in global mining operations and was debuted locally at Electra Mining Africa.
Using a data-driven model and artificial intelligence (AI), the Tru-Trac Rip Prevent+ system can detect anomalies or rip events on any conveyor belt type, including metal cord, pipe and fabric belts.
The innovative system was designed to avoid the need for sensor elements inside the belt, making it versatile for all conveyor systems. The Rip Prevent+ system analyses data from the conveyor belt using an AI-based model. This AI, combined with an innovative algorithm, detects anomalies and rips, generating data and signals that allow customers to stop the conveyor line before significant damage occurs. The system’s model computes data 50 times per second and can generate a signal to the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) within 0.2 seconds, reducing the impact of rip events.
By stopping the conveyor belt when a possible rip event is detected, the system minimises associated damage, potentially saving millions in downtime, belt replacement, and cleanup costs. The system’s data-driven model offers significant advantages over inductive, magnetic and laser-based systems, including reduced wear risk, suitability for all conveyor types and lower investment costs.
The Rip Prevent+ system is web-based and accessible via an Ethernet network connection, featuring a user-friendly interface with a dashboard displaying key information. Additionally, the system incorporates several functions beyond rip detection, including mass flow calculation, condition monitoring, drive or motor monitoring, energy efficiency and electrical network analysis, aligning with predictive maintenance strategies.
The Rip Prevent+ system is also easy to install, requiring only 30 minutes to an hour, with minimal downtime for electrical connections. Commissioning the system can be completed within two to five hours, depending on preparatory work and available system parameters.
Notably, Rip Prevent+ is the first rip detection system offering a more affordable alternative through a subscription model that minimises initial capital investment.
