Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM) and its consolidated subsidiary, Wenco International Mining Systems, have jointly developed “ConSite® Mine”, a new technology platform that helps resolve problems at mine sites by remotely monitoring mining machines on a 24/7 basis through the use of IoT and AI based analysis of equipment operations data.

According to Hitachi, it has developed this technology to help customers and HCM dealers predict costly maintenance issues before they occur, such as the occurrence of cracks in excavator booms or arms, by utilising machine learning and applied analysis technologies. Detailed information from these predictive alerts are provided on the web-based ConSite Mine dashboard and other items.

Currently, Hitachi is piloting the technology in Australia, Zambia and Indonesia. “ConSite Mine” will be further modified based on customer feedback before wider commercial release in 2021.

According to Hitachi, ConSite Mine will enable maintenance professionals for customers and HCM dealers to monitor equipment health in real time and anticipate issues before they occur. The service technician supporting the customer can analyse asset health information in real time using the online dashboard. The technician can pre-order parts and schedule planned maintenance, avoiding the costs and delays of unplanned downtime from failed equipment.

The equipment giant added that “ConSite Mine” can also improve overall productivity and safety, by monitoring conditions associated with operator behaviour, equipment location and speed, fuel consumption and other data for each equipment and operator, providing real time and historical information which contributes to safe operation and productivity improvement.

An announcement from Hitachi added that Wenco technology and Hitachi’s “ConSite” are registered “Lumada”, that is a collective name for advanced digital solutions, services, and technologies of the Hitachi Group. Wenco provides the IoT digital platform and software technology by which large-volume data are collected and displayed on a customised dashboard for each customer.

“Hitachi leverages its accumulated knowledge through ‘ConSite’ on data analyses, information processing technology and applied analysis technology for structural parts of excavators and haul trucks. ConSite Mine enables real time predictive analysis of operating data that delivers actionable information to customers. With ConSite Mine, safety and productivity of mining machines can be improved and their life-cycle costs reduced,” said Hitachi.