Tag Archives: Volvo Construction Equipment

Olitek ships first Remote Charge-up Unit to Newmont’s Cadia operation

Olitek Mining Robotics says it has reached an important milestone in its Remote Charge-up Unit (RCU) project with the dispatch of a RCU to Newmont’s Cadia operation in New South Wales, Australia.

The RCU uses robust mining robotics and a modified Volvo Construction Equipment wheeled excavator platform to enable full face charge-up from the safety of the cabin, Olitek explains.

Mechanised charge-up of tunnel development faces significantly reduces exposure of charge-up crews to tunnel face hazards such as seismicity, rockfalls, thermal stress and repetitive strain injuries. The development face explosives loading and priming crews are most ‘at risk’ to these geotechnical hazards due to the lengthy exposure duration at the tunnel face to perform their tasks.

The RCU project was part of a Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC)-backed consortium involving Vale, Newcrest (now Newmont), Agnico Eagle and Glencore, which sought to deliver a TRL7 (Technology Readiness Level) fully functioning prototype unit that will move personnel at least 4-5 m away from the underground development face and provide faster manual charge-up options to reduce exposure time for existing operations.

The system leverages Olitek’s patented HELX initiation system, allowing full charge-up and tie in to be completed using low-cost conventional detonators, the company says.

Olitek said the dispatch represents a major commercialisation milestone.

Volvo CE’s ITU dealer delivers another 21 excavators to PT Bukit Asam

Volvo CE says its dealer in Indonesia, PT Indotruck Utama (ITU), continues to grow its partnership with PT Bukit Asam (PTBA), with ITU set to deliver another large order of 21 excavators to the state-owned company.

The OEM puts this blossoming relationship down to, in part, the quality and durability of the EC480DL and EC210D excavators the company has relied on over the past five years.

PTBA, a state-owned company in the mining, energy and renewables sectors, celebrated the arrival of 21 new machines with a special ceremony this August at its West Banko site in Tanjung Enim District, Muara Enim Regency in South Sumatra.

The order includes 19 crawler excavators (13 EC480DLs and six EC210Ds) plus two wheeled excavators (EW205D). PTBA decided to place the large order after incredibly positive experiences with the seven EC480DLs and one EC210D machine the company acquired from ITU over the past five years. Separately to the agreement for Volvo CE machines, PTBA will also receive 32 FMX440 trucks from Volvo Trucks, which join the 19 FMX400 construction trucks the company already owns.

“In a relatively short time, PTBA has become one of our most important customers,” Novandy Lantang, Volvo CE National Sales Manager at ITU, says. “Since the first order in 2019, the company has never regretted choosing Volvo. The machine quality, and premium aftermarket support have impressed everyone.”

The PTBA order is just the latest in a string of significant deals being sealed by ITU across Indonesia. It follows the delivery of 10 EC480Ds and 12 EC210Ds excavators to a mineral mine project in North Maluku.

Volvo Construction Equipment leveraging AI to optimise fluid conditions

Volvo Construction Equipment has unveiled its new Fluid Analysis program, tapping into the artificial intelligence realm to identify wear metals and contaminants on equipment or changes in fluid conditions.

The solution expands on its existing Oil Analysis program and encompasses lubricants, diesel fuels, AdBlue and coolants, and comes alongside a 250% increase in global testing capacity, which is equal to 20 labs globally.

The new digitised process – including a cloud-hosted customer portal and Fluid Analysis mobile app – uses AI data analysis to provide customers with easy-to-understand reports and insights with the highest levels of accuracy which can help them make better informed decisions, it says. This allows customers to take preventive actions against contamination and wear, leading to improved uptime and contributing to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

Volvo CE says: “AI accelerates the testing process, making analysis quicker and easier. This allows lab technicians to focus on more sensitive testing issues – such as analysing abnormal or critical samples, those of greatest concern to clients – and, thereby, offer more useful insights and recommendations.”

Alongside the expansion of the program, Volvo is partnering with an industry-leading testing provider to, it says, ensure consistency and efficiency on a global level. Besides leading to a significant increase in testing capacity, this partnership will also reduce lead time and simplify the sampling and analysis process.

With 75% of repair costs and equipment downtime traceable to the use of contaminated lubricants and fuels, and up to 65-75% of all bearing failures traced back to to lubrication issues, the importance of effective fluid analysis cannot be overstated, the company says. Through early identification of possible contamination or wear, customers can take proactive action before any unplanned downtime occurs, helping them to maintain productivity and avoid any potential repair costs.

Volvo CE says the expanded program has taken the potential of fluid analysis to the next level, providing customers with efficient and easy-to-understand reporting. The digitised process is quick, straightforward and provides reports to the highest levels of accuracy.

Once a sample is taken from the machine it is sent to Volvo’s newly expanded global laboratory network. Here it is analysed with a diagnosis performed as required based on any trace elements found.

Once testing is complete, reports – along with recommended actions – are made immediately available via the Volvo Fluid Analysis customer portal. This cloud-based platform features a user-friendly interface which presents reports in a highly visual and easy-to-analyse format, the company claims. It is also the first fluid analysis solution on the market which uses AI data analysis, providing an intuitive solution to deliver consistent and easy to understand recommendations.

The process is made easier still with the Fluid Analysis mobile app. This enables users to register their samples from anywhere in the world, quickly and easily access sample reports, and receive notifications should anything require urgent attention.

Routine fluid analysis is proven to reduce downtime by 15%, Volvo CE says.

“Through a more efficient testing process, increased testing capacity and intuitive reporting, Fluid Analysis from Volvo has made it significantly easier for customers to gain the insight needed to take corrective actions which can help avoid expensive repairs and unexpected downtime.”

Volvo CE welcomes Indonesia delegation to Motherwell rigid hauler facility

The Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) factory in Motherwell, UK, recently hosted a group of visitors from Indonesia who toured the facilities and the R60 rigid dump truck (RDT) on show.

The event, led by Volvo CE’s Erwin Budi, Head of Key Accounts for Indonesia, and Luciano Suetugo, Head of Product Marketing for Haulers and Loaders in Region Asia, saw a delegation of Volvo CE representatives, dealers, and customers from Indonesia travel to Scotland to visit the Volvo CE rigid hauler factory and get some personalised experience of the new R60.

Hendro Sugito, Aftermarket Director at Indotruck Utama, the Volvo CE dealer for Indonesia, joined them. Two customers were also in attendance, both of whom already operate a fleet of Volvo RDT machines: M Yunus Anis, Operational Director at Hasnur Riung Sinergi, and Edi Suryadi, COO at Prima Sarana Gemilang, which currently operates 35 units of R60D machines and is in search of replacement units to upgrade its non-Volvo fleet, according to the OEM.

The trip started with a manufacturing plant tour and inspected the R60 on the test pad. On day two, there was a visit to a nearby job site to see an R60 in action, and had a chance to enjoy the smooth ride of the R60. Following this, both dealer and customer representatives traveled back to Indonesia, while Budi and Suetugo enjoyed two days of intensive product training on the R60. For this, they were joined by Volvo CE colleagues from Region Europe, Region North America and Region Latin America.

Budi said: “Our customers and dealers found the trip highly valuable. There have been many updates and investments at our rigid hauler factory and it was good for everyone to see those. We strengthened our relationships and boosted our knowledge of the R60, so it was a very worthwhile trip. The R60 has great potential in Indonesia and offers many advances over the previous R60D, including a new engine, transmission, and suspension.

“We can’t wait to welcome the first units into our country.”

The R60E, the successor of the R60D, introduces a range of new features and design improvements, setting a new standard of reliable and high-performing rigid haulers, according to Volvo CE. The model boasts a more powerful engine, delivering increased power and torque for tackling demanding tasks. The new generation transmission shift control ensures smoother and more precise shifting, while the updated adaptive control of the retarder system enhances braking efficiency, the company says. The operator environment has also been upgraded with a modern control panel, offering intuitive access to functions along with overall improved ride comfort.

(Pictured left to right: M Yunus Anis, Paul Douglas, Hendro Sugito, Drew Watson, Johncraig Savage, Craig Shaw, James Gibson, Edi Suryadi, Nick Love and Luciano Suetugo in front of the new R60)

Volvo CE makes electric wheel loader investment in Arvika plant

As part of its ambition towards industry transformation through sustainable solutions, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced an investment into the production of electric wheel loaders from its plant in Arvika, Sweden.

The SEK65 million (circa-$6.3 million) investment from Volvo Group will allow the Arvika factory in Sweden – which specialises in the production of medium and large wheel loaders – to expand its facilities with a new building and allow for the phased introduction of new electric wheel loaders.

It is not only a milestone in the plant’s almost 140-year history, but a significant moment for Volvo CE and its determination to be completely fossil free by 2040, the company said. This is in line with the aims of the Paris Agreement and as laid out in the manufacturer’s industry leading Science-Based Target goals. It is also a step forward in its ambition for 35% of its machines sold to be electric by 2030.

Coming soon after an announcement to invest in electric haulers from the company’s production facility in Braås, Sweden, the announcement shows Volvo CE is committed to achieving more sustainable solutions for customers across all its product lines. These announcements are part of an investment strategy that allows Volvo CE to advance electric solutions across its production facilities, including also the Konz facility in Germany, Belley in France and Changwon in South Korea, where other electric machines are made.

Site Manager, Mikael Liljestrand, says: “This is a clear signal of our commitment to building the world we want to live in. It is more than 40 years since we last invested in a new building and what better reason now than to invest in our future, our planet and the next generation. We know that this is not only important to our customers and stakeholders, who rightly have high expectations on us, but it is also close to our hearts to be part of something bigger in building our future.”

Volvo CE has already introduced compact electric wheel loaders to the global market with the L20 Electric and L25 Electric wheel loaders proving to be efficient, zero-exhaust emission solutions capable of driving down carbon emissions while maintaining high productivity across a variety of customer applications. Together with the ECR25 Electric, ECR18 Electric and EC18 Electric compact excavators and the mid-size EC230 Electric excavator, Volvo CE has one of the largest electric ranges on the market.

Thanks to the investment, Arvika will erect a new building, approximately 1,500 sq m, which will allow the facility to free up areas inside its assembly factory to be able to build electric wheel loaders. While it has not yet been announced which models will begin their electric transformation and exactly when, production of both electric wheel loaders and more traditional wheel loaders fitted with combustion engines will continue for now on the same production line.

Volvo CE will ensure a phased introduction model by model, taking into account all aspects of the electric ecosystem as it does so, including infrastructure requirements, charging solutions, battery handling and business models. The result will be reliable mid-size and larger electric wheel loaders that can easily be integrated into customers’ business, it said.

It is not the first sustainability initiative from the Arvika facility. Despite increasing production last year, the factory managed to reduce its internal climate footprint by 350 t of CO2 thanks to a variety of emission reduction efforts.

“Our goal at the factory in Arvika, as well as Volvo CE and the entire Volvo Group is to be climate-smart and to produce fossil-free machines,” Liljestrand said. “Together, we are quite clear that we want to lead this transformation and be the driving force of more sustainable ways of working for the benefit of our planet. This investment is Arvika’s exciting first step towards electrification.”

Building work is set to begin later this year, with further announcements on when production will begin to come.

Volvo CE to improve wheel loader operator safety with Collision Mitigation System

Delivering on its vision for zero accidents, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has launched its Collision Mitigation System for Volvo Wheel Loaders.

This automatic braking feature supports operator response and helps reduce the risk or consequences of collision when working in reverse, the company explained.

The first system of its kind from any OEM, it assists operators while working in reverse and automatically applies service brakes when the wheel loader approaches any obstacle, alerting the operator to take further action, according to Volvo CE. With wheel loaders spending an average of 40-50% of their time being driven in reverse, the Collision Mitigation System is a valuable solution for operators and site managers, it says.

While not designed to ever replace safe operator behavior, it is a smart tool to further enhance job site safety. As part of the Volvo Group, the company is committed to safety with its Zero Accident Vision which is delivered not only through its products, but also its operations.

Lars Eriksson, Global Product Manager for Wheel Loaders at Volvo CE, says: “We at Volvo CE continue to proactively develop intelligent solutions which not only mitigate the consequences of accidents but strive to avoid them altogether. This new Collision Mitigation System is one important part of our work to reduce the risk of accidents and help fulfil our commitment towards zero accidents.”

With this new system, customers are moving a step closer to not only eliminating accidents, but also reducing any unplanned interruptions that can be incurred during those avoidable knocks and bumps, the company explains.

“It works by identifying when there is a risk of collision and responding by automatically activating the brakes for 2-3 seconds to slow the machine down prior to impact or bring it to a stop to avoid it,” Volvo CE says. “This initiation of the braking alerts the operator to intervene.”

For seamless stockpiling operations, for instance, the system will remember the last slope the machine climbed, allowing operators to reverse down a pile without activating it. It can also be temporarily deactivated for specific site conditions.

Functioning only when the wheel loader is in reverse and driving at speeds of between 3-15 km/h, no matter what gear it is in, it serves as a facilitator to job site safety, Volvo CE said.

Developed in-house by Volvo CE, the patent-pending Collision Mitigation System for Volvo Wheel Loaders is a factory-fit option currently available on the L110H/L120H equipped with OptiShift, L150H, L180H, L220H, L260H and L200H High Lift wheel loaders.

Requiring a Radar Detect System to be fitted, it works as an additional system to the existing wide range of features, options and site services provided by Volvo CE for its line of wheel loaders, all of which have been designed to elevate job site safety and minimise unplanned interruptions.

Gold miner IMK feels the benefit of Volvo CE ActiveCare connection

Since implementing Volvo Construction Equipment’s ActiveCare, Indonesian gold miner Indo Muro Kencana (IMK) has experienced productivity improvements that could easily be replicated across the industry, according to Hendro Sugito, Aftermarket Director at Indotruck Utama, authorised dealer for Volvo Construction Equipment in Indonesia

Gold exploration and mining company IMK, based in Central Kalimantan, connected the country’s largest ever fleet of machines to ActiveCare, the remote monitoring and proactive maintenance service, in November 2021.

IMK’s 52 articulated haulers and seven crawler excavators are fitted with sensors that convey real-time information relating to their production, fuel consumption, health and even operator skill to a portal in the cloud.

Some data points, such as location, speed and load are also communicated from machine to machine to help the operators complete work safely and efficiently.

The dashboards and reports then enable the plant and site manager to identify areas for productivity and efficiency improvements, implement adjustments and set new targets for further progress, according to Volvo CE. This could involve tweaking the number and capacity of machines on site to reduce idling time, finding more direct driving routes, or introducing training for certain operators.

Nine months on, the data has helped IMK increase productivity across its three sites by approximately a third, while reducing fuel consumption for the benefit of the environment and the company’s bottom line, Volvo CE says.

Another major benefit of connecting the fleet has been the positive impact on the convenience, effectiveness and cost of managing machine servicing and repairs, according to the OEM.

With ActiveCare, an artificial intelligence tool monitors all error codes and alarms transmitted from the machines to the cloud. The algorithm sorts through the data, prioritising the alerts according to urgency and severity and attributing probable causes.

This saves a huge amount of time and effort for the plant manager and helps them to determine whether immediate intervention is required for an issue or if the service technicians can wait until the next scheduled downtime. The engineers can also remedy small issues before they have the chance to develop into more serious and expensive problems, and always be ready with the right tools and parts.

Overall, the system has given IMK unprecedented insight into equipment availability, Volvo CE says. This information is key to productivity and profitability in a mining environment where machines are expected to operate almost 24 h/d and any time lost is a loss in earning potential. With ActiveCare, IMK can now optimise its machine availability and ultimately boost overall profitability of its facility, the company concluded.

Volvo Construction Equipment hands over A30G made of fossil-free steel to NCC

In the latest step on its path toward carbon neutrality, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has become the first manufacturer to deliver a construction machine – a A30G articulated hauler – built using fossil-free steel to a customer.

The move, the company says, demonstrates the fast-tracking of innovation to real-world solutions as companies across the value chain come together to drive change.

The A30G articulated hauler built using fossil-free steel was handed over by President of Volvo CE, Melker Jernberg, to long-standing construction customer NCC on June 1, 2022, at a ceremony hosted by LeadIt – the Leadership Group for Industry Transition – in conjunction with the United Nations environmental meeting Stockholm +50.

The move comes just nine months after the company unveiled the world’s first vehicle concept using fossil-free steel, as part of the testing of the implementation in an ordinary production setup.

That machine, the latest concept unit produced of its TA15 battery electric, cabless and autonomous hauler for use in mining and quarrying, was unveiled at a green steel collaboration event on October 13, 2021, in Gothenburg, hosted by Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO Volvo Group.

While commercial introduction is expected to be gradual with selected customers, this first handover is an important milestone in the group’s ambition to drive industry transformation towards global climate goals, Volvo CE says. The A30G is produced at Volvo CE’s Braås facility in Sweden, using the existing manufacturing process, with fossil-free steel from Swedish steel company SSAB.

While the A30G is a 29 t payload articulated hauler more suited to the construction industry, the fossil-free move to bigger vehicles used in mining is also expected in the future.

Jernberg says: “We are sure that to succeed in decarbonising the construction industry, actors in the value chain will need to collaborate and act. Thanks to our strong partnerships with other driven and forward-thinking companies, we are now able to lead the change towards fossil-free construction and be the first to deliver a machine built using fossil-free steel to a customer. Turning commitments into actions is key to building the world we want to live in.”

Tomas Carlsson, CEO and President of NCC, says: “NCC has a firm commitment to contribute to sustainable development. We are working determinedly and systematically to reach that target, which includes selecting machines that live up to our high demands. As demonstrated in this great example, it takes strong and proactive partnerships between several players to make the sustainable shift possible.”

As part of its Science-Based Targets commitment, Volvo CE plans to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Alongside the electrification of its machines, the company recognises the importance of reducing its carbon footprint across its entire value chain. This includes the raw materials used in its products, of which steel is a major component. The production using fossil-free steel in Volvo CE’s machines and components will be gradual and depend on aspects such as steel availability.

Volvo expands R100 rigid hauler market reach with Stage V/Tier 4 Final engine

Volvo CE says it has expanded the distribution of its 95 t (105 ton) R100 rigid hauler with the addition of an EU Stage V/US Tier 4 Final certified engine.

The Volvo R100 was originally launched in 2018 under the brand name R100E, but the new engine addition allows the truck to enter the strictest emissions regulated markets, opening up worldwide distribution, the company says.

“With a size and capacity that makes it the largest hauler in the company’s line-up, the R100 rigid hauler promises to drive down operating costs for customers by boosting productivity, fuel efficiency, operator comfort and uptime,” it added.

Power comes courtesy of a premium 783 kW Stage V/Tier 4 Final engine, with a combined drivetrain that provides high torque capabilities, unparalleled pulling functionality and class-leading rim pull for optimum performance, Volvo CE says. Drivetrain performance is supplied by the Volvo Dynamic Shift Control, which automatically installs optimum gear selection, speed and torque for improved fuel efficiency.

The truck features a 60.4 cu.m capacity dual-sloped body for improved load retention and minimal load shift, with the load profile policy enabling the operator to meet a consistent average target payload. The body-tipping fast cycle time, meanwhile, ensures all-round efficiency, the company says.

The Stage V/Tier 4 Final R100 includes a selectable Economy shifting mode for lighter working applications or high-speed applications and an auto-idle engine shutdown feature with adaptable timing that cuts unnecessary engine idling to reduce engine wear and operating costs.

Volvo says it has built on the high capacity and hauling performance of its rigid hauler with intelligent monitoring systems, with the On-Board Weighing option ensuring the machine moves the maximum safe payload, for cost-effective production.

The R100 is available with CareTrack – Volvo’s telematics system – to remotely monitor operational data, including fuel consumption, machine use, idling reports and GPS position.

Additionall, Volvo Site Simulation helps to define the most profitable fleet of equipment, site configuration and project results based on customer needs.

“By using the simulation, customers and dealers can work together to put an equipment plan in place before a project begins,” the company explains.

Hexagon, Volvo Construction Equipment to collaborate on autonomous safety systems

Hexagon’s Mining division has announced an agreement with Volvo Construction Equipment to provide autonomous safety systems for the mining industry.

This pact would allow Volvo CE off-road mining vehicles to be equipped with Hexagon Level-9 vehicle intervention technology, the companies say.

The independent and interoperable HxGN MineProtect Vehicle Intervention System (VIS) provides brake and drive-by-wire technology, automatically taking control of the propulsion system of the truck in defined situations, if the operator fails to do so, Hexagon explains. VIS is now being deployed in three continents across 20 mines with trucks expected to be deployed by the end of 2022.

Today’s agreement empowers customers of both companies to accelerate their pursuit of zero harm, they say. Visitors to MINExpo 2021 in Las Vegas this week can see VIS integrated and demo-ed at the Volvo CE booth. Demonstrations of Hexagon’s latest autonomous capabilities are also scheduled today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. These include a preview of Hexagon’s autonomous mission management system, which provides intelligent routing in the mining environment, and Hexagon-AutonomouStuff’s drive-by wire capabilities.

Hexagon offers a holistic and integrated platform for proximity detection, collision avoidance and operator awareness as part of a broader sensor, software and autonomous portfolio.

Nick Hare, Hexagon’s Mining division President, says: “We are thrilled to have this agreement with Volvo Construction Equipment, who share Hexagon’s belief that the most important assets coming out of a mine are the people who make mining possible. VIS is a key enabler of autonomy in our drive towards delivering a truly autonomous connected ecosystem, helping customers to improve efficiency and effectiveness safely and sustainably.”