Tag Archives: Matrix Design Group

Matrix and GRT-VALLEY RUBBER collaborating on truck lining sensor solution

Indiana-based Matrix Design Group is entering the truck bed analytics and monitoring market through a partnership with rubber body manufacturer GRT-VALLEY RUBBER, IM discovered at the SME MINEXCHANGE 2023 Annual Conference & Expo in Denver, USA, last month.

Matrix, renowned in mining for its proximity detection and vision-based safety solutions, recently entered into a partnership with Arkansas-based GRT-VALLEY RUBBER. The two companies have deployed a prototype ‘smart’ truck body solution to showcase the benefits of GRT-VALLEY RUBBER’s rubber truck bed liners (RTBL).

GRT-VALLEY RUBBER is a well-known name in the wear resistant moulded rubber products sector, providing both OEMs and mine sites rubber lining solutions that, the company says, reduce maintenance associated with consistent shovel and payload interactions, while improving the operator experience.

Michael Redford, Head of Operations: Analytics at Matrix, and Greg Elliott, Product Manager – Haul Trucks at GRT-VALLEY RUBBER, revealed this new development at the Denver event.

At a mine in the Iron Range of Minnesota, Matrix has installed an integrated solution consisting of a series of sensors on a steel truck bed, and one truck with GRT-VALLEY RUBBER’s rubber truck bed liner solution. The system is benchmarking the results of shovel loading on truck beds both with and without the bed liner.

Having this setup established for over six months now, the two companies have been able to quantify a significant reduction in “energy events” when using GRT-VALLEY RUBBER rubber-based solution, Redford told IM.

Matrix and GRT-VALLEY RUBBER have been able to quantify a significant reduction in “energy events” when using GRT-VALLEY RUBBER rubber-based solution compared with a steel truck bed

Initially, the project was scoped to outline the maintenance benefits of using rubber-liners on trucks, yet it has also highlighted the significant improvements in reducing operator impact forces and noise reduction that come with using GRT-VALLEY RUBBER’s solution.

“In terms of attracting and retaining haul truck drivers, these results could prove to be very important,” Elliott said. “Not only is there less physical harm done to operators by using our rubber linings due to reduced shock impacts, the reduction in decibel levels from a noise perspective is massive.”

The two companies are planning to roll out this solution on several other rubber-lined haul trucks in the next few months.

“We service several industries – not just mining – with a wide range of rubber products,” Elliott said. “We have many companies interested in seeing the benefits at their sites, so it is just a matter of getting the hardware installed and getting it speaking to the software.”

Redford said truck impacts may be the initial focus of this sensing system, but there is scope to expand into productivity improvement functions – educating shovel operators of optimal loading patterns, for instance.

He concluded: “We’re very much at the beginning of where this technology will go.”

Matrix Design Group leverages AI and machine learning in lastest collision avoidance platform

Matrix Design Group has introduced its new OmniPro® collision avoidance system for surface mines, which uses Visual Artificial Intelligence (Visual AI) and machine learning to enable line-of travel, crosswalk and blind-spot pedestrian and vehicle alerting for mobile equipment.

Consisting of up-to-three 120° field-of-view cameras, the OmniPro system works without personal wearable devices or tags. OmniPro not only “sees” and identifies people and hazards, alerting with visual and/or audible alerts, it also photographs and reports zone breaches, according to Matrix. OmniPro is an application of the Matrix technology that received the 2020 NIOSH Mine Safety and Health Technology Innovations Award, which was presented in September at MINExpo 2021.

“Operations recognise that prevention is the most effective strategy for combatting mining accidents,” Brian Jones, Vice President of Business Development, said. “Those with safety initiatives will see OmniPro’s Visual AI system as an indispensable tool in helping protect workers and equipment.”

Through its Visual AI object recognition technology, OmniPro has been taught to identify and report on a library of “objects” including people, vehicles, equipment, stop signs and pedestrian signs.

The user can select what objects will be included, whether to integrate with the machine or operate as alert-only, and whether the alert will be visual, audible or tactile. Additionally, depending on the mine’s needs, OmniPro’s wireless solution can trigger a stop sign, pedestrian light, voice alert or crossing arm. All incidents are recorded and reviewed to provide insights for additional safety training as needed.

OmniPro’s cost-effective and customisable solution can be adapted to match any operating environment through its programmable field-of-view zone grid configuration tool, which enables it to meet the safety requirements of different mines, it said.

“OmniPro is effective on many levels,” Jones said. “Our customers have told us it brings awareness to workers and helps them feel the operation is investing in their safety.”

Matrix Design Group and Mirenco sign distribution partnership

Matrix Design Group, a provider of technology for mining and industrial safety and productivity, has announced a new distribution partnership with Mirenco Inc.

Founded in 1997, Mirenco’s core business is gathering and reporting accurate, real-world engine performance data that helps fleet operators remotely monitor combustion efficiencies. The company’s products and services deliver fuel savings, lower downtime, increase productivity and prevent costly repairs, according to Matrix.

Mirenco’s line of data-gathering telematics products remotely monitors the diesel particulate filter systems, the equipment production, fuel usage and air filter status.

“Mirenco offers an array of telematic products that help mines manage their vehicles more efficiently through better, more proactive decision making,” Brad Coats, Matrix’s Technical Sales Rep and Mine Networking Enthusiast, said. “Predictive analytics is one of the big keys to a more efficient operation, and Mirenco has all the tools and evaluation input needed to make that happen.”

The Mirenco Diesel Evaluation Program (MDEP) includes on-site exhaust testing, a five-gas analysis and diesel particulate matter measurement. MDEP also provides the operator with extensive information about engine status, including air restrictions, injector timing, air/fuel ratio, turbocharger problems, valve lash, faulty injectors and faulty engine control module flash files.

Mirenco CEO, Dwayne Fosseen, said: “Getting data is relatively easy in today’s connected world, but knowing what the data tells you about your fleet is where Mirenco stands apart. Planned, preventative maintenance is always more cost-effective than sudden downtime.”

Matrix to bring Maestro’s Plexus PowerNet to US mining market

Matrix Design Group is to introduce Maestro Digital Mine’s Plexus PowerNet™ networking system to the US market following the signing of a distribution agreement between the two companies.

Plexus PowerNet, the first coaxial-based gigabit network, provides both data and power over a single cable, according to Canada-based Maestro. The system delivers a high-speed, low-latency digital communication network that provides PoE+ power to Access Points, cameras and any other IP-based devices, it says.

The Plexus PowerNet coaxial cable carries both power and network connectivity, eliminating the need to run both fibre and power to new network devices. The system can also extend a fibre-optic-based system from the fibre patch panel at any level as needed. Plexus PowerNet eliminates the need for costly outside fibre-optic contractors and can be installed and maintained by any mine personnel, Maestro says.

Chris Adkins, Sales/Business Development, Matrix Design Group, said: “For a mining application, Maestro gives mines the ability to have high-speed data and power without the technical and time constraints of running a fibre network to the face of the mine. Of course, the maintenance requirements of fibre are complex, but Maestro has reinvented the high-speed data network, allowing delivery of real-time data and power combined into one durable coaxial cable that’s easy to install, maintain and repair.”

The Plexus PowerNet is a backbone network system that can be used in mines with or without a fibre-optic network, Maestro says.

“Supporting existing underground infrastructure, Plexus provides network connectivity to new and existing IIoT devices and automation technologies,” the company said. “It enables the digital mine and connected worker for: autonomous and tele-remote vehicles; telemetry to drills, loaders and support equipment; support for short interval control and connectivity to tablet and smart devices; IoT sensors, such as environmental and seismicity; Voice over IP; augmented reality; asset tracking; PoE+ based IP cameras and PoE+ LED lights for paste fill; and PLC connectivity. Plexus is an enabling technology for the digital mine.”

Michael Gribbons, Co-founder and CEO, Maestro Digital Mine, stated: “The collaboration with Matrix Design Group is an essential part of expanding our reach into the US market with a team that understands the value of our digital network solution and how it aligns with the mines in the area. Bringing digital solutions, such as the Plexus PowerNet, online enables worker safety, increased production and reduced costs; all of which are vital to Maestro and Matrix.”

Matrix Design Group launches new group to crunch mine site data

Matrix Design Group is opening a new division, Matrix Analytics Group, to offer industry expert perspectives into mining operations “based on data and numerical modelling that helps drive meaningful enhancements to the decision-making process”, it says.

The division will be part of Matrix’s South African entity in Johannesburg, operating in both the US and Africa.

The company said: “Matrix Analytics is able to facilitate discussion aligned to the strategic goals of its clients by combining decades of mining industry expertise with modern data analytic techniques. Utilising a model-based approach allows Matrix Analytics to provide diverse insights into business and operations.”

David Clardy, President of Matrix Design Group – which already calls itself a leading provider of technology for mining safety and productivity – said: “In today’s competitive mining environment, efficiency is key. Matrix Analytics complements our mission to help mines operate more safely and productively through the most effective use of resources.”

Matrix Analytics uses a mine’s data to find key correlations and insights and presents the information in a way that it can be used to facilitate decision making.

Stephen Redford, Director of Matrix Analytics Group, said: “A mine’s data is an often-underutilised trove of information that can dramatically improve operations. We want to provide a means for mines to tap it for key, and sometimes critical, insights.”