New product wins mining's Safety Innovation Award
A new ‘safe brake’ product designed by Custom Fluidpower has won the Safety Innovation Award at the recent 2015 Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference, which was held in Townsville from 16–18 August.
Custom Fluidpower was challenged to fix a cable problem being experienced on a coal mine shuttle car at a coal-based mine in Mackay, Queensland.
With safety in mind, the company engineered the Shuttle Car Cable Reeler with a Brake Apply Interlock Valve. The custom-designed device comprised a full upgrade to the hydraulic control circuit.
“We are delighted that one of our engineered system designs has achieved such a rewarding result, for both our client and at the 2015 product innovation awards,” said Matt Doolan, Custom Fluidpower, Mackay branch manager.
The company engineered the device to ensure that the park brake becomes activated when the cable reeler motor pressure drops below 800 psi and can only be released by a manual override or if pressure rises above 800 psi.
Other safety features include an installed bypass valve into the circuit, allowing the park brake to be released when being towed. It was also designed so that in the event that the bypass valve has been left in the towing position during normal tramming operation the brakes would not release.
The company stated they also designed, manufactured and installed a new hydraulic manifold to the park brake control circuits on all HUK03 and HUK01 shuttle cars.
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