At a glance:
- Trakblaze’s rail scales revolutionise safety, productivity, and profitability in the mining industry.
- Our systems ensure accurate weighing, preventing overloading fines and optimising load management.
- From low-speed to high-speed solutions, Trakblaze offers versatile rail-scale technology for various applications.
In the competitive and demanding world of the mining industry, efficiency and safety are paramount.
The adoption of advanced technologies is not just a trend but a necessity.
Among these innovations, rail scales present a transformative opportunity for mining operations.
This blog explores rail scale solutions’ critical benefits, particularly safety, productivity, and profitability enhancements.
We will delve into Trakblaze’s contributions to this sector, highlighting their MTW and INFINITY HS/ LS rail scale systems.
Rail Freight in Australia’s Mining Sector
Rail freight is essential to Australia’s largest mining commodities sector.
It provides the most effective mode of transport for delivering maximum transport capacity for bulky goods, whether transport is required from mine to port or mine to production facility.
According to Austrade, Australia leads the world with respect to heavy haul, intermodal freight rail expertise and capacity. Again, according to Austrade, Australia’s rail freight system runs the world’s heaviest and longest haul trains – with axle loads up to 40 tonnes and train lengths of more than 2.5 kilometres.
Weighing is synonymous with the rail industry, regardless of which country you travel through.
It is a crucial element when balancing rail vehicles and even more so when it comes to the balancing of bogies.
For rail freight in Australia’s mining sector, with the world’s largest and heaviest freight trains operating, weighing is an even more critical operation.
As with any commodity, accuracy, efficiency, and productivity are absolutely critical in all parts of the logistics and supply chain processes.
That means that the rail weighing process must be capable of delivering efficient solutions that minimise the productivity impacts (and therefore cost) of delivering mining freight to a port or production location.
Rail operators need to be confident that their rail scales deliver highly accurate outcomes in the most time and labour-efficient manner.
This ensures, firstly, the highest quality safety outcomes and, secondly, confirms productivity and profitability benefits.
Benefits of Rail Scale in the Mining Industry
Safety
The mining industry, known for its rigorous safety standards, significantly benefits from rail scales.
These systems ensure that loaded rail wagons maintain optimal weight distribution, reducing the risk of accidents due to overloading or imbalanced loads.
Accurate weight measurements are crucial for maintaining rail integrity and preventing derailments, thereby safeguarding both employees and the environment.
Productivity
Efficiency is the backbone of productivity in mining operations.
Rail scales streamline the loading process, allowing for real-time weight measurements without the need for additional stops or rerouting to static scales.
This seamless integration into the rail system minimises downtime and enhances the speed at which materials are transported from the mine to processing plants or ports. It ensures that productivity targets are met or even exceeded.
Profitability
Profit margins in mining are closely tied to operational efficiency and cost management.
Rail scales offer a direct path to improved profitability by ensuring accurate billing and inventory management.
Avoided Overloading Fines
The precise measurement of goods transported ensures that companies are neither giving away products for free nor receiving penalties for shipment discrepancies. This accuracy supports better financial forecasting and resource allocation.
Trakblaze’s Rail Scale Solution for Mining Industry
MTW (Mobile Train Weigher) system
The MTW (Mobile Train Weigher) system from Trakblaze is a pioneering solution designed to bring the scale directly to the train. The Mobile Train Weighing (MTW) system can also be configured as a Multiple System (MTW-MS).
This innovative system allows for the static weighing and spot-checking of rail vehicles anywhere, anytime, emphasising flexibility and convenience in train weighing and balancing.
Features:
- Wired or Wireless System: Offers flexibility in setup according to the operational environment.
- User-Friendly Operation: Designed for ease of use with a simple installation process.
- Quick Installation: Can be set up by two persons in approximately 30-45 minutes.
- Transportability: Its portable design makes it easy to move and use across different locations.
- Load cell Based System: Ensures accurate weight measurement for each axle and the total train.
- Connectivity: Supports up to 8 MTW bases for comprehensive train analysis.
- Versatile Compatibility: Fits any gauge of track and most rail sizes, enhancing its applicability.
- PC-Based Controller: A modern interface for managing and recording weight data which can be sent to any devices via internet
Benefits:
- Flexibility in Train Weighing and Balancing: The system’s mobile nature allows for on-site train weighing, offering unparalleled convenience.
- Minimal Downtime: Its design ensures that track usage is barely interrupted during installation, maintaining operational continuity.
- No Need for Costly Infrastructure: Eliminates the requirement for expensive civil works for setup.
- Calibration Simplicity: Comes pre-calibrated, removing the need for a test train or transport of test weights.
- Accuracy and Reliability: Provides precise weight measurements, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
The MTW MS system exemplifies Trakblaze’s commitment to innovation in the rail industry, providing a versatile and reliable solution that addresses the unique challenges the mining sector faces.
INFINITY-LS Train Weighing System
The INFINITY-LS Train Weighing System by Trakblaze is designed for low-speed weighing in-motion of up to 15km/h. This makes it an ideal solution for various applications including mine loadouts, industrial plants, and more.
This weighbridge system is composed of electronic weigh sleepers and dummy sleepers.
These components form a solid structure that includes accessories, a control cabinet, and a PC with specialised train weighing software.
Features:
- Electronic Weigh Sleepers: Provide accurate weight measurements.
- User-Friendly Software: For easy operation and data management.
- Quick Installation: Typically 1 to 2 days, with minimal site preparation needed.
- Remote Access: Weight data can be accessed from any location via the internet.
- Flexible Installation: Can be installed one wagon length out from the loadout.
Benefits:
- Accurate Load Management: Prevents overloading and ensures optimal wagon loading.
- Operational Efficiency: Enhances loading operations by providing real-time weight data.
- Minimal Downtime: Designed for quick installation and minimal track downtime.
- No Major Infrastructure Changes Required: No need for rail cutting, welding, or grinding.
- Reliable and Durable: Built to withstand tough conditions while providing precise measurements.
This system offers a practical and efficient solution for accurate train weight measurement, crucial for improving safety, efficiency, and profitability in operations requiring rail transportation.
INFINITY- HS Train Weighing System
The INFINITY HS Train Weighing System is the high-speed sibling – a rail weigh-in motion train weighbridge, capable of weighing trains at speeds of up to 80kph, dependent on track/site conditions and test train/rolling stock, using highly accurate and reliable load cell technology.
It generally consists of six electronic weigh sleepers and twelve dummy sleepers that are braced together to form one solid structure underneath existing track.
This unique bracing technology provides maximum stability to help eliminate the impact of weight transition, greatly enhancing accuracy.
The infinity Range includes accessories, control cabinet and PC train weighing software with weighing results accessible from any location via the internet.
The INFINITY rail weighbridge systems deliver multiple benefits to the mining industry, including:
- Accurate and reliable load cell-based weighing system
- No requirement for rail cutting, welding or grinding
- Minimal installation track downtime
- All parts easily interchanged in under 30 minutes
- Ability to be used on curved track for speeds up to 5 kilometres per hour.
- Temperature compensated
Rail workshop weighing system from Trakblaze
TRAKMATE
TRAKMATE is a rail workshop weighing and balancing system designed by Trakblaze.
It is tailored for the mining, railroad, industries, offering a sophisticated solution for precisely weighing and balancing rail vehicles.
Features:
- Simple installation process.
- Compatible with all rail types and gauges.
- Heavy-duty construction with overload protection.
- Can accommodate any wheel weight combination.
- Temperature compensated for consistent accuracy.
- Cost-effective solution for rail weighing needs.
Benefits:
- Ease of Installation: Ensures that the system can be quickly and easily set up in various workshop environments.
- Versatility: Its compatibility with all rail types makes it a universal solution for different rail vehicles.
- Durability: Designed to withstand heavy use, ensuring longevity and reliability.
- Accuracy: Provides precise weight measurements under different conditions, aiding in effective vehicle maintenance and safety.
- Cost Efficiency: Offers a value-driven approach to high-precision rail weighing and balancing, reducing operational costs.
The TRAKMATE system exemplifies Trakblaze’s innovation in rail vehicle maintenance, offering a comprehensive solution that enhances efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness in rail workshop operations.
The integration of rail scales into mining operations heralds a new era of efficiency, safety, and profitability.
As demonstrated by Trakblaze’s MTW, INFINITY HS/LS, and TRAKMATE systems, the adoption of such technologies provides a competitive edge.
It aligns with the industry’s push towards more sustainable and responsible mining practices.
The benefits of rail scales extend beyond immediate operational improvements, offering long-term value through enhanced safety protocols, increased productivity, and improved profitability.
For mining companies looking to thrive in an increasingly challenging global market, investing in rail-scale technology is not just an option but a strategic necessity. Contact Trakblaze today!
