The future of mining is digital
Digitalization is already an important issue in many different areas of the K+S Group. In production and maintenance in particular, K+S is examining the feasibility of innovative digital measures.
Predictive maintenance - avoiding downtime
The aim of predictive maintenance is to provide employees with the information they need to monitor all production-critical systems in such a way that malfunctions can be predicted and measures planned. While all maintenance processes from the past are fed into a central IT system, sensors detect the actual status of the machines. Algorithms for pattern recognition are generated from the combination of both, on the basis of which malfunctions can be reliably avoided.
3-D scanning for exact measurement
The aim of predictive maintenance is to provide employees with the information they need to monitor all production-critical systems in such a way that failures can be predicted and measures planned. While all maintenance processes from the past are fed into a central IT system, sensors detect the actual status of the machines. Algorithms for pattern recognition are generated from the combination of both, on the basis of which malfunctions can be reliably avoided.
With the aid of a hand-held scanner, the maintenance technician is able to record the 3D dimensions of machine parts to be replaced. This makes it easier to reproduce parts that must fit perfectly and of which there are no technical drawings. The big advantage: Downtimes are reduced because the previously often necessary, often time-consuming reworking of spare parts is no longer necessary.
Interactive learning
Virtual Reality (VR) stands for the goal of making it possible to experience a reality that does not even exist. In maintenance, VR is used to carry out training on machines that do not have to be taken out of production - or to train while the machine is still being built. All you need is a laptop, 3D glasses and a motion sensor with which you can not only see the VR environment, but also interact with it.
With the aid of a hand-held scanner, the maintenance technician is able to record the 3D dimensions of machine parts to be replaced. This makes it easier to reproduce parts that must fit perfectly and of which there are no technical drawings. The big advantage: Downtimes are reduced because the previously often necessary, often time-consuming reworking of spare parts is no longer necessary.
Practical solutions
How can digital applications help with shift change? Or: How can the underground material extraction process be integrated into the maintenance app? These are just two of the many questions that arise in everyday digital maintenance. The best answers come from daily work. This is why users from different sites meet in regular workshops to develop practical solutions.
Mobile material search
The search for spare parts is facilitated by the use of tablets. With the help of a user-friendly app, the maintenance technician can see where and how much of the material he is looking for is. He does not need any SAP knowledge for this, but he can still access the SAP data as well as the electronic spare parts catalog, which is widely used underground.
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