Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a hardness of a rock mass during operation of an industrial machine. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive a rock mass model and to receive live drilling data from the industrial machine. The electronic processor is also configured to update the rock mass model based on the live drilling data and to estimate a drilling index for a hole based on the updated rock mass model. After estimating a drilling index for the hole, the electronic processor is also configured to set a blasting parameter for the hole based on the estimated drilling index.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing information related to mining machine performance and making the information accessible to remote maintenance staff. The information can be used to generate alarms, determine a state of the machine, determine performance statistics for the machine, and identify problems with the machine that may require attention. The information can be provided in a state message and the data can be packaged as XML data or in a string format. The data associated with a message can be particular to the current state or context of the mining machine. That is, in the case of a rope shovel, different data may be included in a message generated in a swing state versus a message generated in a tuck state. In some instances, a message is generated when progress thresholds are satisfied, such as for each foot of drilling performed by a mining drill.

Abstract: A mining machine including a power monitor, a sensor, and a monitoring module. The power monitor is configured to measure a received power, and generate a total power consumption data based on the received power. The sensor senses payload of the mining machine to generate payload data. The monitoring module includes non-transitory computer readable media for comparing the total power consumption data and the payload data to generate mining machine efficiency data, determining an operator performance comparing the mining machine efficiency data and the operator performance, determining, based on the comparison of the mining machine efficiency data and the operator performance, at least one selected from the group consisting of a bank difficulty and a bank digability, and outputting the at least one selected from the group consisting of the bank difficulty and the bank digability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a hardness of a rock mass during operation of an industrial machine. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive a rock mass model and to receive live drilling data from the industrial machine. The electronic processor is also configured to update the rock mass model based on the live drilling data and to estimate a drilling index for a hole based on the updated rock mass model. After estimating a drilling index for the hole, the electronic processor is also configured to set a blasting parameter for the hole based on the estimated drilling index.

Abstract: A mining machine including a power monitor, a sensor, and a monitoring module. The power monitor is configured to measure a received power, and generate a total power consumption data based on the received power. The sensor senses payload of the mining machine to generate payload data. The monitoring module includes non-transitory computer readable media for comparing the total power consumption data and the payload data to generate mining machine efficiency data, determining an operator performance comparing the mining machine efficiency data and the operator performance, determining, based on the comparison of the mining machine efficiency data and the operator performance, at least one selected from the group consisting of a bank difficulty and a bank digability, and outputting the at least one selected from the group consisting of the bank difficulty and the bank digability.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing information related to mining machine performance and making the information accessible to remote maintenance staff. The information can be used to generate alarms, determine a state of the machine, determine performance statistics for the machine, and identify problems with the machine that may require attention. The information can be provided in a state message and the data can be packaged as XML data or in a string format. The data associated with a message can be particular to the current state or context of the mining machine. That is, in the case of a rope shovel, different data may be included in a message generated in a swing state versus a message generated in a tuck state. In some instances, a message is generated when progress thresholds are satisfied, such as for each foot of drilling performed by a mining drill.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing information related to mining machine performance and making the information accessible to remote maintenance staff. The information can be used to generate alarms, determine a state of the machine, determine performance statistics for the machine, and identify problems with the machine that may require attention. The information can be provided in a state message and the data can be packaged as XML data or in a string format. The data associated with a message can be particular to the current state or context of the mining machine. That is, in the case of a rope shovel, different data may be included in a message generated in a swing state versus a message generated in a tuck state. In some instances, a message is generated when progress thresholds are satisfied, such as for each foot of drilling performed by a mining drill.

Abstract: A mining machine comprising a power monitor sensing power consumption of the mining machine during a select time period to generate power consumption data; a sensor sensing payload of the mining machine during the select time period to generate payload data; and a monitoring module. The monitoring module including computer readable media for comparing the power consumption data and the payload data to generate shovel efficiency data, and outputting the shovel efficiency data.

Abstract: A mining machine including a brake operable to halt motion of a component of the mining machine; a first sensor operable to sense a characteristic of the brake to generate brake data; a second sensor operable to sense motion of the component of the mining machine to generate motion data; and a controller. The controller is operable to receive the brake data and the motion data, analyze the brake data and the motion data according to a brake set model and a brake release model, and output an alert in response to an issue with the analyzed brake data or the analyzed motion data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with executable instructions for training an operator. One method includes generating a simulated mining environment and a simulated shovel including a simulated dipper, receiving a first series of operating commands from a first operator for moving the simulated dipper, and calculating an optimal digging path based on the first series of operating commands. The method also includes generating a graphical representation of at least a portion of the optimal digging path and displaying the graphical representation to a second operator, wherein the graphical representation provides a guide to the second operator for moving the simulated dipper along the optimal digging path. The method further includes receiving a second series of operating commands from the second operator for moving the simulated dipper, and automatically modifying the graphical representation based on the optimal digging path and the second series of operating commands.

Abstract: A mining machine including a brake operable to halt motion of a component of the mining machine; a first sensor operable to sense a characteristic of the brake to generate brake data; a second sensor operable to sense motion of the component of the mining machine to generate motion data; and a controller. The controller is operable to receive the brake data and the motion data, analyze the brake data and the motion data according to a brake set model and a brake release model, and output an alert in response to an issue with the analyzed brake data or the analyzed motion data.

Abstract: A hoisting machine including a device supported from a structure, the device holding the material to be lifted, the structure being movable to locate the device in respective loaded and unloading positions, and apparatus for measuring the quantity of material delivered by the device, the apparatus comprising means to determine the position of the device with respect to a selected location in the structure at a plurality of intervals during the movement of the device, means to provide a processable position signal indicative of the determined position of the device, means to determine the load at a selected location within the structure where the load is related to the weight of the device and device contents at the intervals during the movement of the device, means to produce a processable load signal indicative of the determined load at the location, and processing means to receive the position and load signals for a plurality of interval determinations and calculate therefrom a number of weight determinatio