Case Study | Mining

Solutions in Action: SCOTT

Scott’s latest automated batch milling machine, the Rocklabs ABM3000 Automated Batch Mill, incorporates innovative smart technologies from Rockwell Automation to make batch sampling seamless.

Features

The ABM3000 allows the operator to process up to 30 samples at a time without intervention
PLC control over milling and clean out cycle
Auto sand wash programmed to clean out the mill between samples
Two chromium head sizes to choose from; with easy changeover of the milling head
Full compressed air blow down and vacuum clean between samples
LCD touch screen panel with flashing buttons for clear indication of process

Benefits

Smart machine capabilities

Detailed diagnostics for troubleshooting to reduce downtime
Remote access availability for diagnostics, modifications/customisations
IOT capabilities to integrate into larger systems
Real-time insights and analytics

Reliability and Safety

Designed to machine safety regulations (AS/NZS4024 PLd)
Reliable and easy to maintain for greater productivity
3-year warranty on Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley products

Rocklabs ABM3000 (Automated Batch Mill)

Scott is a world-class builder of advanced automation systems for the appliance, meat processing, mining, materials handling and industrial automation industries.

As a Rockwell Automation Gold Level OEM Partner, Scott has a strong commitment to developing new technologies and bringing them to market.

Rocklabs, a Scott brand, plays a central part in the success of leading organisations in the fields of metals and minerals research, mining and exploration around the world. Through the supply of specialised equipment, Scott delivers industry leading sample preparation equipment to mining clients, commercial laboratories and research institutions.

The latest automated batch milling machine, the ABM3000, incorporates innovative smart technologies to make batch sampling as seamless as possible. It is fully programmable so that each sample can have its own grinding specifications as well as its own wash cycle to ensure no carry-over between samples.

Safety and reliability

The ABM3000 can process up to 30 samples per batch, providing labour savings and productivity gains in mining sample preparation. It is compact and easy to maintain. This system can automatically process samples within five minutes, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual processing. The ABM3000 is designed for ease of serviceability and meets machine safety regulations (AS/NZS4024, PLd). Furthermore, Rockwell Automation and Allen-Bradley products are covered by a three-year global warranty, ensuring global support.

Scott has production bases in the United States, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, China, Australia and New Zealand, and services customers in 88 countries.

Powered by smart technologies

The ABM3000 features the latest smart components from Rockwell Automation. The Allen-Bradley CompactLogix™ integrated safety controller provides integrated control and safety. The controller is connected on Ethernet to the PowerFlex® 525 drives with Safe Torque Off. The PanelView™ operator interface delivers an intuitive, modern design and provides enhanced Logix integration with Studio 5000® software.

“This smart solution provides detailed diagnostics through the PowerFlex drives and CompactLogix controller with all the safety features on the one platform. The HMI provides more information on the system and with it all being connected on Ethernet, you can easily remote diagnose the system if needed,” said Charl du Plessis, senior controls engineer, Scott.

“In this day and age, it’s becoming more difficult to allow people to open electrical panels but by being able to access the diagnostics for the drives and PLC, there is no need to open the panels. The Ethernet capability of the system provides the ability to set up a drive or PLC remotely. If there are additions or modifications that the customer requests, it is much easier to access remotely and customise a system to their needs, than it has been in the past,” he said.

These capabilities allow end-users to futureproof their operations in terms of leveraging the data from the machine and turning it into useful information for analytics. IoT capabilities allow the machine to be integrated into larger systems.

“The ABM3000 delivers the value proposition of a smart machine with all the diagnostic and remote access capabilities. Given the remoteness of many mine sites and the pandemic restrictions limiting the ability of people to travel to sites, these capabilities make troubleshooting easy and customers more productive,” said Prasad Nory, industry manager, Rockwell Automation.

Published September 12, 2021

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