Tag Archives: Las Vegas

Cat R1700 XE battery-electric loader set to be showcased at major technology conference

29th November 2023Automation, Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining301.9 mini excavator, batteries, battery energy storage, battery-electric, CES, Las Vegas, R1700 XE, Rod Shurman, XEX60Daniel Gleeson

Attendees at CES 2024 are set to experience the “Power of Possible” at Caterpillar Inc.’s roughly 9,600 sq.ft (892 sq.m) exhibit on January 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This year’s display focuses on Caterpillar’s electric machines and energy solutions to meet the evolving needs of customers as they electrify their job sites, Caterpillar says, with the OEM continuing to innovate and invest in electrification, alternative fuels, connectivity and digital solutions as part of this focus.

Rod Shurman, Senior Vice President of Caterpillar’s Electrification + Energy Solutions division, said: “We are delighted to return to CES to showcase our advancements in energy solutions. This event is known as the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators which makes it the ideal place for us to showcase our leadership in power systems and integrated service solutions to help our customers in the energy transition. We’re putting our expertise to work on multiple advanced power technologies to enable the energy transition solutions that our customers need to be successful in a reduced-carbon world.”

The exhibit’s centrepiece, the Cat® R1700 XE LHD underground loader, offers a 15-t payload. The zero-exhaust emission loader includes the industry’s only on-board battery, eliminating the need to handle or exchange batteries, Caterpillar claims. It charges in less than 20 minutes when paired with two of the Cat MEC500 chargers, a standalone charging system designed to charge quickly and safely as needed.

Also on display is the company’s 301.9 mini excavator, the first machine with a Caterpillar battery.

Alongside this, the company is set to showcase lower-carbon intensity on-site power production solutions, such as generators running on a variety of renewable fuels, solar panels and hydrogen powered fuel cells, plus battery energy storage solutions, including the compact XEX60.

The on-board battery pack on display at CES is designed to power the 301.9 mini excavator with a total capacity of 32 kWh and a nominal voltage of 48 V. Cat battery packs consist of a modular design with factory integrated telematics and a rugged structure to endure the use on our heavy equipment, the company says.

Additionally displayed at CES will be a Cat 750 V electric motor and inverter, components that support a variety of machines and power systems. A 750 DC motor provides mechanical power for the machine movement when commanded by the operator. The inverter transfers power to the electric motor from an onboard Caterpillar machine power source like a generator or battery.

Lastly, Cat digital solutions will feature at CES, showcasing the ability to monitor Caterpillar equipment and power solutions for the provision of advanced analytics, transforming data into customer insights making it easier for customers to own and operate their equipment, the company said.

Caterpillar gears up for SME and CONEXPO-CON/AGG shows

8th February 2023Automation, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Mining software906, 950 GC, C3.6 IPU, C7.1, C9.3B, Cat, Cat 926, Cat 930, Cat 938, Cat Command, Cat Detect, Cat Financial, Cat Grade, Cat Payload, Caterpillar, Colorado, Command for dozing, Command for Loading, Commans for Excavating, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023, Denver, Las Vegas, lithium-ion battery, Nevada, SIS2GO, SME MineXchange Annual Conference & Expo, Tinaja Hills Demonstration and Learning Center, VisionLink, VisionLink ProductivityDaniel Gleeson

Caterpillar has a busy few months lined up on the conference circuit, with major product releases, service options and technologies to be highlighted at the SME MINEXCHANGE 2023 event in Denver, Colorado, and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Focusing beyond the iron, the Caterpillar MINEXCHANGE 2023 exhibit will highlight the company’s innovation, technological advancements, and how Caterpillar is solving mining challenges today and innovating for the future. With its “Big Difference” theme, the company will showcase how it positively impacts miners and offers a range of careers within the mining industry at the event, which runs from February 26-March 1.

This includes:

Big Innovation – details how Caterpillar commits significant R&D investment to technology and automation that help mining customers succeed and contribute to a better, more sustainable world; and
Big Opportunities – covers career opportunities at Caterpillar for creating high-tech solutions.

Inside the Cat exhibit, a Cat D8 simulator will allow conference attendees to experience operating the dozer in a virtual environment. A video wall features the themed “Big” messages that include more details on Caterpillar and its mining solutions, autonomy leadership, a real-world sustainability journey and testimonials from Cat employees. Subject matter experts will be on hand to discuss Caterpillar’s latest technology, autonomy and equipment solutions for the mining industry. In addition, seven Caterpillar subject matter experts have been selected to present eight technical abstracts at MINEXCHANGE covering diversity in the workplace to technology and automation to implementing change management.

In Las Vegas at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 from March 14-18, meanwhile, Caterpillar will highlight its latest products, services and technologies while paying tribute to those who build the world’s infrastructure in what is its largest exhibit to date at the event.

The company’s 6,500 sq.m outdoor demonstration arena will anchor the massive display known as Operator Stadium (visualisation pictured below)

New Caterpillar Technology, Services and Sustainability hubs provide visitors the opportunity to look for ways to increase operating efficiencies and improve machine uptime, while new and current models and battery-electric machine prototypes will be highlighted.

The extensive Cat® equipment display in the Festival Lot is set to include more than 30 machines, including model unveilings and battery-electric model prototypes with charging stations. Visitors will see two main equipment demonstrations each day; one focused on the latest Cat technology, and one that will spotlight the company’s full equipment line up. Additionally, Caterpillar will be providing daily spotlight demonstrations that will take a deep dive into key industry topics including improving fuel efficiency and job site efficiency, the evolution of technology, and convenient, scalable solutions for all customers.

The new Cat 950 medium wheel loader on display offers, Cat says, premium performance and simple-to-use technologies to help boost operator efficiency and increase productivity, while extended service intervals help lower maintenance costs. Visitors will be treated to a preview of the Next Generation Cat 926, 930 and 938 small wheel loaders – slated for production in late 2023 – which feature new technologies designed to make work easier, a reimagined operator environment and extended service intervals.

Caterpillar Industrial Power Systems Division, meanwhile, will exhibit a wide and rapidly growing portfolio of high-efficiency Cat industrial power solutions. The exhibit includes the unveiling of a new high power internal combustion engine, as well as lithium-ion battery technologies under development. Engines on display, such as the C3.6 IPU, C7.1 and C9.3B, meet EU Stage V, U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards and are compatible with biodiesel up to B20 and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to EN15940. The booth will also showcase Caterpillar’s technical services and market expertise leveraged by the global Cat dealer network to maximise the efficiency and extend the lifecycles of off-highway equipment, including Cat remanufactured and service replacement engines.

Caterpillar says it offers a range of service options that are easy, convenient, flexible and sustainable, and will be featured in the Services Hub at the event. The new Cat Central app is the latest tool for convenient access to genuine Cat parts and support. Another new service-related solution is the new Cat SIS2GO app which, Caterpillar says, takes the guesswork out of maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing Cat equipment. Both apps are available on Windows, iOS and Android platforms.

Team members from Cat Financial will also be available to discuss the latest leasing and financing programs.

The Caterpillar Technology Hub will offer attendees the ability to experience a range of new and existing Cat technologies – VisionLink, Cat Command, VisionLink Productivity, Cat Detect, Cat Grade and Cat Payload. Caterpillar SMEs will be on hand to assist each customer in finding a scalable solution designed to fit the business’s needs and budget.

Its centerpiece exhibit, the “Looking Glass” cube, displays and interactively showcases the five key capabilities of the new Cat VisionLink® application – Geofence & Location, Fuel Theft Alerts, Diagnostics, Idle Time/Fuel Burn, and Maintenance. An interactive wall will invite visitors to explore the full suite of VisionLink capabilities for both Cat and non-Cat equipment and non-machine assets.

The hub’s multiple Cat Command stations allow attendees to remotely operate Cat machines located more than 640 km away at the Tinaja Hills Demonstration and Learning Center. They are positioned to allow attendees to better experience and learn more about the Command for Dozing, Excavating and Loading technologies.

The Caterpillar Sustainability Hub will spotlight fuel efficiency and alternative power sources; technologies to fit every operation and budget; and parts and service designed to make uptime fast and easy, the company says. Plus, customers will learn about sustainability benefits they can choose today and plan for tomorrow.

Outside the Sustainability Hub, exhibit attendees can view components of Caterpillar’s total site solution for the energy transition, including four battery-electric machine prototypes – the Cat 301.9 mini excavator, 320 medium excavator, 950 GC medium wheel loader and 906 compact wheel loader – in addition to AC and DC charging solutions. The Caterpillar-designed batteries powering these battery-electric machines are built on lithium-ion Cat technology with a modular design that offers flexible configurations across multiple applications.

RIGID ROBOTICS adds to RIGIDprecision platform with new shovel operator app

13th September 2021Automation, Communications in mining, IoT, Mining events, Mining services, Mining softwareapplication, Las Vegas, Mehran Motamed, MINExpo 2021, PRECISION DIG-2-DESIGN, RIGID ROBOTICSDaniel Gleeson

RIGID ROBOTICS is set to officially unveil the PRECISION DIG-2-DESIGN™ on the first day of MINExpo 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada, today.

PRECISION DIG-2-DESIGN is an open-pit digging assistance and real-time plan compliance application that enables “single path mining” and precision execution of mine plans, according to the company. The application visually guides the shovel operator through a dig block in real time, ensuring the operator stays within grade and dig limits with a 200 mm accuracy.

The PRECISION DIG-2-DESIGN is just one application in the suite of applications available on RIGIDprecision™ platform – a unified hardware/software platform that enables mine sites to achieve precision mining in a piece-wise, scalable and integrated fashion, according to the company.

RIGID ROBOTICS unveiled the RIGIDprecision platform earlier this year after launching the innovation in early 2020 and successfully completing field pilots in western Canada.

“We’re excited to coordinate the introduction of our latest application with MINExpo 2021”, CEO, Mehran Motamed, said.

“The release of PRECISION DIG-2-DESIGN application at this event gives our partners and clients the opportunity to see the application in action and talk to our experts about how RIGIDprecision platform can enable their digital vision.”

MINExpo 2021 runs from September 13-15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

NETZSCH readies NEMO cavity pump dewatering skid for MINExpo

3rd September 2021Mining equipment, Mining services, Water managementLas Vegas, mine dewatering, MINExpo 2021, NEMO, NETZSCH Pumps, TORNADODaniel Gleeson

NETZSCH Pumps North America is to showcase its line of mine dewatering pumps and pump skids at MINExpo 2021, in Las Vegas, with a booth highlight being the NEMO® Progressing Cavity Pump Dewatering Skid, which the company says is ideal for mines that require a small and compact movable unit to address their dewatering challenges.

The NEMO progressing cavity pump is, NETZSCH says, known for its continuous, pressure-stable, gentle and low-pulsation conveyance of almost any process fluid without being affected by fluctuations in pressure, viscosity or solids content.

Another option for mining applications is the TORNADO® T2 Rotary Lobe Pump, a self-priming, valveless pump that offers maximum operational performance, high reliability and durability, ease of maintenance and a low total life cycle cost, the company says.

“With a revolutionary design that has been recently reengineered to maximise uptime, the TORNADO T2 pump features metal lobes running inside a metal housing with an elastomer liner,” the company says.

NETZSCH pumps are available in a wide range of flow and pressure capabilities. Both pump types, as well as the dewatering skid tank, can be constructed from carbon steel, stainless steel, galvanised steel, and Halar/rubber-lined steel, depending on application needs.

MINExpo 2021 is due to run from September 13 to September 15 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Wirtgen plans Surface Miner debut, preview at MINExpo 2021

26th August 2021Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services220 SM(i), 2500 SM, 260 SX(i), 280 SM(i), Las Vegas, MINExpo 2021, Wirtgen GroupDaniel Gleeson

The Wirtgen Group is planning to present its field-tested 220 SM(i) 60 ton (54 t) class surface miner for the first time on the North American continent at next month’s MINExpo 2021 event in Las Vegas.

With a cutting width of 2.2 m and a cutting depth of up to 300 mm, the new 220 SM(i) surface miner (pictured) is an ideal choice for the selective extraction of minerals, routing operations and infrastructure projects, according to Wirtgen. A particular highlight of the 220 SM(i), which offloads extracted minerals in windrows, is its spacious ROPS/FOPS operator’s cabin. It can be heated or air-conditioned and is soundproofed and isolated from vibrations, the company says. An operator-friendly multifunctional joystick controls all key functions of the machine.

In addition to the 220 SM(i), Wirtgen plans to preview the successor to its 2500 SM at the show, which runs from September 13-15.

Sales of the 280 SM(i) surface miner are scheduled to begin at the turn of the year. The highlight features of the new 280 SM(i) include a slewable operator’s cabin, with the machine’s technological innovations working together to ensure high overall productivity and cost-efficiency, Wirtgen says.

Wirtgen will be adding more new models to its range of surface miners. The first of these will be the 260 SX(i), which is not designed primarily for traditional mining applications, but for use in large-scale infrastructure projects such as the construction of railroads, drainage canals, freeways and highways and the enlargement of tunnels.

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

10th August 2021Automation, Communications in mining, IoT, Mine surveying, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Mining softwareAuto Rockbreaker, automation, Brow Alert, Hard-Line, Las Vegas, LiDAR, mine safety, MINExpo 2021, sensors, TeleOp AssistDaniel Gleeson

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.

Cat to bring new D11 XE dozer, R1700 XE battery-electric LHD to MINExpo

16th June 2021Automation, Environmental, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, Power supply for mines3516 engine, 6060 hydraulic mining shovel, 7495 Electric Rope Shovel, 794 AC, autonomous trucks, C175-16, Cat 777G water truck, Cat 992 wheel loader, Cat Financial, Cat MineStar Edge, Cat Solutions, D10, D11 XE, Denise Johnson, Dynamic Gas Blending, Las Vegas, Marc Cameron, MD6310, MEC500 Mobile Equipment Charger, MineStar Command, MineStar Detect Driver Safety System, MineStar Health, MINExpo 2021, mining dozers, mining simulator, R1700 XE LHD, R2900 XE LHD diesel-electric drivetrain, ThoroughTecDaniel Gleeson

Caterpillar is set to unveil the world’s largest, most powerful and efficient electric drive dozer with high drive at the upcoming MINExpo 2021 event in Las Vegas, USA, in September, in an exhibit themed around the concept, “together, we’re mining better”.

Caterpillar’s MINExpo 2021 experience, the company says, celebrates its partnership with mines and the ways it assists customers to mine more efficiently, effectively, safely and sustainably. The 5,124 sq.m exhibit will feature a broad range of product displays, new equipment introductions, previews of what the future holds and remote operating stations.

The exhibit will be grouped under three specific core areas: environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) and sustainability; technology and automation; and equipment lifecycle management solutions.

The headline exhibits come September 13-15 at the Las Vegas Convention Center will, no doubt, be the brand new Cat D11 XE dozer, the new Cat® R1700 XE battery-electric LHD (pictured, top), and new R2900 XE LHD diesel-electric drivetrain. The company also intends to display the recently released Cat 992K wheel loader, new Cat 777G water truck, Cat 794 AC electric drive truck and Cat MD6310 rotary blasthole drill.

“After waiting an extra year, the mining industry is ready to reconnect at MINExpo,” Caterpillar Resource Industries Group President, Denise Johnson, said. “We are excited to show our customers and the industry the advancements Caterpillar has made not only in equipment, technology and services but also in how we are helping customers mine more sustainably.

“While we are eager to exhibit in Las Vegas, we recognise that many of our dealers and customers will not be able to travel to the show. Therefore, we are also creating a digital Caterpillar experience at cat.com/mining, where we will place MINExpo specific content.”

Mining sustainably

Central to Caterpillar’s commitment to mining better together is helping customers meet their ESG goals and build sustainable mine sites of the future. Recognising one size does not fit all, Caterpillar has followed a strategic approach with a long-term vision of discovering, developing and delivering a broad portfolio of products, technologies, services and solutions, it said.

“This portfolio allows Caterpillar to provide a full site approach, which combines offerings with integration expertise to identify and provide the best possible solution for each specific mine,” Cat explained.

Vital to the vision of the all-electric underground mine of the future, the new Cat R1700 XE LHD will feature 100% battery-electric propulsion that generates significantly less heat and noise. It offers a 15t payload, 24,190 kg lift and tilt breakout force, and 18 km/h top speed. To optimise runtime and improve safety, batteries stay on the machine for charging, with the new portable Cat MEC500 Mobile Equipment Charger able to charge the unit in as little as 20 minutes.

The new R2900 XE LHD diesel-electric drivetrain to be displayed features a significant reduction in maintenance and repair costs, while minimising emissions. Its redesigned lift arm and components delivers up to a 39% improved lift breakout force over the R2900G, making this model up to 31 tonnes per litre more fuel efficient, Cat claims.

Cat is set to unveil what it says is the world’s largest, most powerful and efficient electric drive dozer with high drive. The new Cat D11 XE dozer will be the most advanced, lowest emission-per-tonne dozer in the industry, built to deliver the lowest cost of bank cubic meters ever.

Exhibited alongside the D11 XE, the new Cat D10 dozer (below) offers up to 4% less fuel consumption than the previous model, up to 3% more productivity with high-horsepower reverse and up to 6% more efficiency with combined load-sensing hydraulics and stator clutch torque divider, according to Cat.

The recently introduced Cat 992 wheel loader to go on show delivers up to a 32% increase in productivity. It reduces maintenance costs by up to 10% and has demonstrated in field testing up to 48% greater payload-per-fuel efficiency in applications where a four-pass match to 90.7 t trucks was achieved versus five passes with the 992K.

Caterpillar says it is committed to helping customers with their energy transitions, and the MINExpo exhibit will include a range of renewable and storable power displays, including the Cat Microgrid system. The Cat 3516 engine, meanwhile, will feature dynamic gas blending (DGB), which allows mines to save fuel and reduce emissions without sacrificing diesel performance.

Driving technology and automation

“Technology and automation are critical components for substantially improving machine uptime availability and productivity,” Marc Cameron, Vice President, Caterpillar Resource Industries, said. “Through Cat MineStar™ Solutions, Caterpillar offers customers scalable technologies to fit the mine’s specific needs. The exhibit’s technology and automation stage will focus on the real value that Caterpillar technology options provide customers.”

MINExpo will be the first opportunity for many attendees to learn more about the recently introduced Cat MineStar Edge. This solution brings visibility to the entire mining operation to show how activities early in the process impact those further down the value chain, according to the company. MineStar Edge makes it possible to measure, manage, analyse and improve the entire mining operation.

Equipped with MineStar Command for hauling, the new Cat 777G water truck provides a glimpse into the future for autonomously lowering dust levels at the mine site while maintaining haul road safety. Featuring the market’s first autonomous water delivery system, the machine integrates truck, tank and sprayer, and knows where and when to water haul roads.

Representing the Caterpillar fleet of autonomous trucks, the displayed Cat 794 AC electric drive (pictured below) will be factory-installed with Cat MineStar Command for hauling. Recently, autonomous trucks using Command for hauling surpassed 3 billion tonnes of material hauled, safely traveling more than 110 million km.

Accurate to the centimetre, the exhibited Cat MD6310 rotary blasthole drill offers technology, efficiency, safety and productivity improvements. Fully integrating Caterpillar’s components and systems, including technology and automation, the drill is capable of up to 42,149 kg of bit load and targets 203-to-311-mm hole diameters.

Exhibiting how technology can improve safety at the mine site, the Cat MineStar Detect Driver Safety System (DSS) display details how the system monitors eye closure and head pose to alert the driver via seat vibration and/or audio alarm the moment fatigue or distraction is identified. DSS has been shown to reduce 97% of the most significant fatigue events, 80% of average fatigue events and 91% of distraction events, Cat says.

Several Cat Command stations and trailers will be on display for attendees to experience effective remote control and semi-autonomous drilling, dozing and underground operations from many kilometres away.

Lifecycle solutions

Highlighting Caterpillar’s rebuild services capability, the rebuilt Cat C175-16 engine, which produces up to 2,550 kW, on display reduces overall owning and operating costs.

Team members will also be available to explain to attendees how MineStar Health maximises equipment availability and reliability by connecting the machine to the office. The service assists with proactive maintenance services and predictive equipment analysis by collecting equipment data, monitoring critical machine parameters, obtaining real-time alerts, analysing operational trends and patterns, predicting failures and receiving repair recommendations, Cat says.

Partnership and expertise

In addition to teams of workers with machine and technology expertise, representatives of Cat Financial and Cat Solutions will be on hand to share information on safety, fleet management and productivity offerings that can be combined into full site solutions.

A ThoroughTec® Simulation training will provide an opportunity to experience the 7495 electric rope shovel. In addition, attendees will be able to experience two next generation machine cabs – one for mining trucks and another for the 6060 hydraulic mining shovel – via actual cabs on display.