When it comes to surveillance, a mining facility can present complex problems.
When it comes to surveillance, a mining facility can present complex problems.
The infrastructure is usually very large and is host to a number of extremely harsh environments, both aboveground and underground, that need to be monitored in order to ensure the many productive operations are carried out safely.
The processes that make up the mining supply chain start with the crushing machines that are used to reduce the extracted blocks of raw material to a consistency thats more suitable to subsequent processing and use.
The crushing is done in stages - by applying mechanical force and pressure proportional to the hardness and strength of the material - until the desired consistency is obtained.
These machines mechanical parts are subjected to very heavy wear that, over time, leads to structural weakening and, possibly, subsequent damage or accidents.
So, the production phases carried out by this equipment must be constantly monitored and, if needed, maintained by qualified workmen.
A copper mine in Chile uses Videotecs NXM stainless steel housings, equipped with a front air barrier, in monitoring the crushing of the extracted raw material
What the client needed was to obtain sharp images from cameras that are situated in an extremely dusty and corrosive environment, in order to make sure that the crushing machines are functioning correctly.
The NXM housing was chosen not only because of the strength of its construction but also because of the number of available accessories that make it so versatile and suitable for use in harsh and corrosive environments, such as mines.
For this particular application, the housing was furnished with a special front flange that has integrated holes creating an air barrier in front of the glass.
In the dusty area of the crushing machines, this solution has proved invaluable in stopping the dust collecting on the glass. This guarantees that the camera has clear, constant vision.
In an environment with such a high concentration of dust around, the constant action of air from the compressor has proven to be much more effective than a wiper, which couldnt provide the same clarity.
With the help of the filtering group supplied by Videotec, the air is free from any impurities that come from the compressor, ensuring the housing is zero-maintenance. The use of the Videotec's stainless-steel P&T unit is beneficial to the operator who can move the camera on a horizontal and vertical axis.
Designed for heavy-duty tasks, the NXM housing is made entirely from AISI 316L stainless steel. Also, a special polishing method is used on the outside that allows it to withstand highly corrosive environments over time.