LaserSieve M2M

Online grain size measurement for an automatic grinding control

LaserSieve M2M project aims to implement an online grain size measurement technology in a mining environment in order to optimize and then automate grinding operations according to reduce energy consumption, increase comminution performances.

This project will help raw material industry to jump into the “Industry 4.0” by using a connected technology, LaserSieve, and bringing IoT tools to monitor a crushing plant. Indeed, size reduction operations (Crushing/Grinding) are very critical and are considered to be the most energy intensive in mining and mineral processing industry. The current practice to monitor them is manually sampling and screening the material. However, this method is often considered as impractical especially when quick feedback is required for process control. Consequently, it is necessary to have an agile and reliable technique for assessing the particle size distribution. LaserSieve will provide an efficient industrial solution specifically designed for the mineral industry. It can be easily installed and adapts to any type of production line (conveyor belts of different size, crusher inlet, ...). In addition, its communication technologies allow the user to easily integrate it into his existing control system.

LaserSieve technology is a 3D system which has been developed to mitigate old existing 2D systems in order to bring more accurate measurement of size and shape but especially accurate volume measurement.

With the completion of the "LaserSieve M2M" project, future end users will be able to control every parameter of their plant, whether it is for milling, grinding or screening. Their operations will be optimized, and the entire installation will be monitored in real time. The remote access via the web application will also allow them to easily decide the replacement of wear parts without production stop or unnecessary displacements.

Vertical sector addressed

• Energy & utilities (mineral processing industry)

Industrial application addressed

• Predictive maintenance
• Logistics & supply chain
• Monitoring & control
• Safety & security

Technologies involved

• IoT & wearables
• Big Data & AI
• Simulation & modelling