Michelin North America, Inc has launched MICHELIN MEMS Lite, it’s newest offer in connected tyres for surface mining and quarry vehicles. MICHELIN MEMS Lite is an entry-level tyre MEMS solution that combines Michelin’s proven liquid-proof sensors to deliver periodic tyre pressure and temperature readings. Tyre sensors are mounted inside the tyres, where data is captured periodically as vehicles drive by fixed reading stations strategically located at the mine site. The data is then sent remotely to connected devices through a local server or secure cloud server.
“As part of Michelin Better Mining, we strive to provide the mining industry with innovative services and solutions, beyond the tyre, that add value for users. We designed this new entry-level MEMS offer to meet the needs of customers who want to start using a TPMS with basic features to improve their operations,” said Hugo Morales, Mining MEMS business development manager. “We found that miners running 100-150 ton trucks were looking for a simple, robust plug-and-play solution with alerts sent to their mobile devices should an issue arise, which will be supported by a trusted technical network.”
MICHELIN MEMS Lite requires no hardware installation on trucks. It is an easy-to-install and operate tyre monitoring solution that adds both safety and savings to operations, giving operators better control of their equipment and making it a budget-friendly solution for mine owners. Michelin says MEMS Lite helps mine operators:
- Strengthen safety by monitoring tyre pressure and temperature remotely, keeping personnel at a safe distance from equipment.
- Save on budget by extending the life of the tyres and reducing unplanned maintenance. Tyre budgets represent up to 20% of maintenance costs for equipment fleets. For tyre budgets of $1,000,000 annually, a TPMS can deliver annual savings up to $200,000
- Increase productivity by keeping machines running through improved tyre data
As a result, mine operators can drive performance and elevate mine operations to the next level. “One of our primary goals is to provide the mining industry with multiple options to help owners and operators achieve maximum efficiency within their budgets. We designed this new entry-level unit to meet the needs of customers who want to start using a TPMS with basic features to improve their operations,” said Sarah Robinson, Regional Segment Manager, Michelin North America. “With costs being an ever-increasing concern for the mines today, Michelin feels that the MEMS Lite will ultimately increase efficiency and at the same time help lower costs. It’s a win-win for the mines.”
MEMS Lite is easily upgraded to MEMS4, as they both use the same platform and communication protocols that are currently available in North America.
