Tag Archives: Hard-Line

HARD-LINE adds Bucket Assist to TeleOp system offering

Automation, Communications in mining, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Mining software, , , , ,

HARD-LINE, aligning with its brand-agnostic prowess, has launched Bucket Assist at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in Las Vegas, USA, an add-on feature to its TeleOp systems that gives the TeleOp operator a visual representation of the position of the boom and bucket in relation to the ground.

The company’s current and new clients can opt for this feature that, HARD-LINE says, will bring the machine operator closer to the machine without leaving their TeleOp control stations, increasing productivity while continuing to keep the machine operator at a safe distance.

Phil Pelland, Vice President, Sales, HARD-LINE, says: “Tactile feedback from the machine is crucial for any machine operator to judge the position and placement for optimum productivity. This is a solution our customers needed, and we are pleased to deliver.”

In addition to this new feature, HARD-LINE has made an announcement on a new product that, it says, will revolutionise teleoperation. The new product is a compact box that CONNECTs everything from the machine to its operator by enabling successful collaboration between HARD-LINE and its clients. This new product will continue to keep safety at the forefront while also shining the light on a core company value – collaboration – it says.

HARD-LINE-Polymath

HARD-LINE and Polymath Robotics team up to automate dozer operation

Automation, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , ,

Polymath Robotics and HARD-LINE, on the opening of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in Las Vegas, USA, have announced a collaboration on a solution for autonomous dozing.

In line with this collaboration, HARD-LINE has been added to Polymath’s network of hardware integration partners and Polymath has joined HARD-LINE’s software integration ecosystem.

HARD-LINE is an OEM-agnostic leading supplier of automation, teleoperation and remote-control technology. Polymath Robotics makes safety-critical autonomous navigation software for heavy machinery.

Stefan Seltz-Axmacher, CEO of Polymath Robotics, said: “We are excited to add HARD-LINE to our network of hardware integration partners and join their software ecosystem. Our collaboration brings autonomous solutions to the heavy equipment industry as part of each other’s partner ecosystems.”

The dozing technology is vehicle agnostic and can be implemented on any heavy equipment regardless of make, model, or type of machine, according to the companies. The solution leverages HARD-LINE’s hardware integration, remote operation capabilities, and machine control API, integrated with Polymath’s autonomous navigation tools.

The companies said: “The autonomous dozer is built to tackle important but repetitive tasks, like dewatering, planting and heap leaching. This exciting new technology will be made available for any bulldozer, whether new or existing.”

Ryan Siggelkow, SVP Technology at HARD-LINE, said: “We are proud to have Polymath join our software integration ecosystem, in addition to collaborating on an autonomous solution for remote dozer operations. We see these solutions as a way to further enhance productivity and efficiency by bringing remote autonomous dozing to the market.”

Polymath and HARD-LINE are collaborating on the implementation and are taking pre-orders expected to ship in the second half of 2023, they say. They will be demonstrating elements of the autonomous dozer solution during the event, which runs from March 14-18.

Hexagon’s Mining division to distribute HARD-LINE’s TeleOp tech in the Americas

Automation, IoT, Mining events, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HARD-LINE and Hexagon’s Mining Division have announced a new partnership at MINExpo 2021, in Las Vegas, that, they say, will enhance their international mining capabilities.

Combining their expertise in surface and underground mining, Hexagon will serve as a major distributor of HARD-LINE’s teleremote technology, known as TeleOp, in North, Central, and South America as well as Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan.

“Partnering with Hexagon is a significant step in our evolution and really shows our ability and desire to grow and adapt,” Walter Siggelkow, HARD-LINE’s President, says. “This will allow both companies to be even more competitive globally, especially in massive mining markets like Latin America.”

Some other products receiving distribution include HARD-LINE’s RRC (Radio Remote Control) as well as BackBone Networks, Brow Alert, Brake Release and Farsight.

President of Hexagon’s Mining Division, Nick Hare, said: “We’re looking forward to collaborating with HARD-LINE, which shares our vision of a future that’s safer, sustainable and increasingly autonomous.”

HARD-LINE introduces Auto Rockbreaker at MINExpo 2021

Automation, Communications in mining, Mining events, Mining safety, , ,

Today at MINExpo 2021, HARD-LINE released a revolutionary mining product that, it says, will change the way mining companies use rockbreakers, with Auto Rockbreaker.

The latest autonomous HARD-LINE product allows operators to automate various rockbreaking tasks that have yet to be done.

“Our team has come up with solutions that make one of the more difficult mining methods, much easier,” HARD-LINE Senior VP of Technology, Ryan Siggelkow, says. “A major benefit is that the system does not require a highly trained operator, which will make it easier for companies to attract talent.”

HARD-LINE’s VP of Sales, Phil Pelland, has been in mining for more than 40 years and has seen the slow evolution of rockbreakers, until now.

He says: “Besides the fact it removes operators from dangerous environments, Auto Rockbreaker provides operator solutions for limited visibility and poor depth perception. It is compatible with all rockbreaker makes and models, and it is designed to be retrofitted for existing breakers.”

At MINExpo, HARD-LINE is hosting simulations where delegates are witnessing features such as autonomously parking the hammer and deploying it, known as auto park and auto deploy. The new rockbreaker technology uses a series of sensors, including cameras to survey the environment. The sensor data is then processed by computer vision and machine learning algorithms to recognise the rockbreaker’s surroundings.

As the system continues to advance, HARD-LINE says it is looking to partner with more mine sites to further augment the system’s unique capabilities.

HARD-LINE readies Auto RockBreaker, TeleOp Assist and Brow Alert for MINExpo crowd

Automation, Communications in mining, IoT, Mine surveying, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , ,

HARD-LINE plans to unveil a diverse line-up of new mining products geared towards automation and safety at MINExpo 2021 next month.

The company’s Auto RockBreaker, TeleOp Assist and Brow Alert will be just some of the company’s booth highlights from September 13-15, in Las Vegas.

HARD-LINE’s Auto Rockbreaker is going to “disrupt” the mining industry, according to the company.

“For the first time ever, operators will have the ability to automate many rockbreaking tasks” HARD-LINE said. “With Auto Rockbreaker, mining companies will be able to reduce maintenance and operator training costs, decrease wear and tear while extending the life of all rockbreakers.”

The system has many functions, including auto deploy and auto park, as well as other features making the operator experience that much more intuitive with its 3D User Interface, it said.

TeleOp Assist is the latest addition to the company’s TeleOp suite, which equips the base TeleOp system with intelligent steering assistance and collision detection to keep machines off walls while driving.

Using real-time 3D LiDAR scans, Assist will automatically steer to handle the articulation adjustments required to keep the machine as centred as possible within the drift, the company said.

“With Assist’s adaptive technology, a pre-scan of the drift is not required – providing significant cost savings,” HARD-LINE said. “The system does not require any training when moving from one level to another.”

Brow Alert, meanwhile, is an added level of protection for underground mining operations.

It serves as an add-on system designed to deter an operator from manually driving a vehicle past the brow line of a stope by using sensors and modules.

The system is easy to install, reduces risk of workplace injuries and fatalities, encourages accountability and keeps operators a safe distance from the brow, the company says.

Auto RockBreaker, TeleOp Assist and Brow Alert will be joined by the likes of RRC (Radio Remote Control), TeleOp system, vehicle conversion kits (drive-by-wire), and HARD-LINE’s low-profile loader series (LP401 and LP301) on the company’s MINExpo booth.

HARD-LINE expands into new NORCAT underground facility

IoT, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , ,

A long-time partner of NORCAT, HARD-LINE says it is evolving its remote-control systems in a new space at NORCAT’s surface facility at the former Fecunis mine site in Onaping, Ontario.

HARD-LINE, a global technology company specialising in remote and tele-remote-control solutions, uses drift space at NORCAT’s underground site.

Inside HARD-LINE’s new office is a TeleOp control station that allows the tele-remote operation of heavy machinery and, in this case, an underground LHD at the test site.

“This new space is a welcomed addition to an already impressive site,” HARD-LINE’s Senior VP of Technology, Ryan Siggelkow, says. “The bigger space will allow for more people to meet in our office and ultimately let us test products in a more efficient manner, including new tech like our TeleOp Assist.”

The Assist system is new to market and equips the TeleOp base system with intelligent steering assistance and collision detection to keep LHDs off walls. It also increases tramming speeds, and no pre-scan of the drift is required, according to HARD-LINE.

HARD-LINE’s Supervisor of Technology Implementation, Jim Doyle, is often at the new facility and underground site testing different types of mining equipment. Doyle credits the NORCAT partnership in advancing HARD-LINE’s technology.

“Our relationship with NORCAT is really beneficial,” he said. “We’ve seen growth and improvements in our products over the years because of it.”

The partnership dates back to 2012 when HARD-LINE helped formulate the Underground Centre’s strategy and customer value proposition.

NORCAT CEO, Don Duval, said: “We are excited to build on our existing relationship and support HARD-LINE as they expand into our new surface facilities at the NORCAT Underground Centre. With HARD-LINE’s TeleOp control station, we have seen operators given the ability to control underground heavy machinery from the safety of an office at the Underground Centre. This technology is not only enhancing productivity and safety but also it is transforming the definition of work in the global mining industry.”

Just last month, NSS Canada announced a new partnership with NORCAT and the addition of a new NSS Canada office in the NORCAT Underground Centre.

Bingham Equipment receives Hard-Line distribution rights in Arizona

Automation, Communications in mining, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , ,

Hard-Line says it has signed up Bingham Equipment Company as the company’s newest distributor in Arizona, USA.

With 11 locations in Arizona, Bingham Equipment will distribute Hard-Line’s LP401, MT52, and the RRC.

The LP401 (pictured) is a remote control operated low profile loader (skid steer) that can be used in a variety of restrictive areas where a normal man-operated machine cannot operate, Hard-Line said. The MT52 is a mini track loader that can “dig, trench, move materials and reach small, tight spots”, while the RRC is a versatile radio remote control that can operate any machine, make and model and is designed to be used in rugged and harsh environments, the company said.

Chad Rhude, Hard-Line’s Vice President, US Operations, said: “We are excited to be working with a great partner like Bingham Equipment Company. With their excellent reputation and many locations throughout the state of Arizona, it gives us a local presence for sales and support of our LP401 product line.

“We look forward to working with Bingham to showcase the versatility and capability of the LP401 in delivering a low-profile, fully-remote controlled machine platform to enhance safety and productivity in the municipal, construction and agriculture sectors in Arizona.”

Hard-Line goes global with Murray Engineering partnership

Automation, Base metals, Communications in mining, Energy minerals, High tech minerals, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , ,

A technology partnership between Murray Engineering, part of the Byrnecut mining services group, and Canada-based heavy-machine control and automation specialist Hard-Line, has been formally launched, with Murray now providing support for Hard-Line products in Australasia, Africa and the Middle East.

Established by former underground mine heavy equipment mechanic Walter Siggelkow in 1996, Hard-Line has worked with some of the world’s top mining companies to deliver safe, reliable equipment control solutions.

Today the company has more than 130 employees working mainly across the Americas to support Siggelkow’s ‘boots on the ground’ approach to developing and supplying advanced control technology.

Siggelkow said: “That is partly why we have partnered with Murray Engineering. We prefer to have that direct, local presence and Murray certainly provides that for us now in territories where we have not had it before.”

Murray Engineering has a nationwide presence in Australia and recently established an offshore base in Mongolia (Murray Mining Services Mongolia). Through its connection with Byrnecut, it has provided services in Africa and Europe.

As a leading underground mining contractor in the large Australian hard-rock market, and also in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world, Byrnecut has been applying modern remote control and teleremote control systems as it continues to set new standards in mine safety and productivity.

Murray Engineering managing director Craig Lindsay-Rae said the development and application of technology is a laudable milestone achieved by many companies, but few sustain their leadership through good support.

Lindsay-Rae said: “With automation being applied to our systems across many continents and the successful operations of the mines being dependent on this technology, the support from the technology developer is paramount. Our technology partner clearly differentiates in this area, providing at-the-face engineering.”

He added that it was “refreshing” to work with a partner that recognises the application of technology is not “homogeneous and has adapted programmes according to different geographical locations”.

Hard-Line has sustained a strong focus on hardware and software R&D to build its technology business. It has completed automation, tele-operation and radio remote control projects involving drills, trucks, rock breakers, LHDs, dozers, trains and a range of utility and specialised machines. Siggelkow said: “Hard-Line’s flexibility has always been a differentiator. We are the manufacturer of the technology; we do all the design, software development and R&D. It gives us the ability to customise the technology to suit our customer’s specific needs, and production goals.

“We train their people to optimise the use of the technology, to increase throughput, safely and efficiently, and increase asset utilisation.”

He said the company had also looked to work as a technology partner with other businesses, to provide them with a reliable product but also participate in the transfer of maintenance, troubleshooting, etc knowledge to their personnel.

“Continuous improvement of the technology has come from face-to-face meetings with end-users to ensure we are able to achieve their results and goals.”

Murray Engineering automation and control manager George Priest said Hard-Line’s products are robust, easy to use, and original-equipment agnostic.

The Canada-based company’s latest Teleop Auto system delivers 2D and 3D views, with ‘real-time’ operator control achievable when the system is coupled to fibre or standard Wi-Fi communication networks.

Priest says with such networks in place, the Hard-Line system provides autonomous, semi-autonomous and remote operating capabilities.

“It is a non-brand specific, non-machine specific system that delivers maximum operating transparency, and no programmatic restrictions for us as the product support group,” he said.

“Many systems are programmable and restricted; components cannot be different brands. Hard-Line provides a distinct advantage there.”

A 3D viewing station and optics deliver high resolution data and mapping images, with “3D localisation under all operating conditions”, he said. This is optimised with the aid of Hard-Line’s 3D scanning technology.

Siggelkow said low latency continues to be a problem in underground mine machine control, particularly where the video element is added for tele-operation, and/or semi-autonomous or autonomous operation is in play.

“Imagine driving a car and turning the wheel, but the car doesn’t move until one or two seconds after the action was taken,” he said.“It’s noticeable. With our system having almost no operating latency, your eyes don’t even notice the delay. With close-to-real-time video feeds and feedback, operations and users can implement short-interval control measures to address issues during the shift, rather than at the end of shift.”

Murray Engineering’s Lindsay-Rae said the company’s partner selection process involved thorough due diligence.

Hard-Line’s investment in cutting-edge 3D technology as the basis of system control, plus its investment in in-house manufacturing of printed circuit boards, were key elements that made it a standout, he said.

Hard-Line has worked with partners, such as Murray Engineering, to ensure its products meet all local regulations and standards, Siggelkow said.

“We are excited about this partnership,” he said. “The company and its internal R&D team have been collaborating with a range of parties on the next generation of advanced control systems for mining. We will continue to work with the industry and our partners to ensure a safe and productive work environment.”