Cat Teams with Champion Iron to Develop Autonomous Drill-to-Mill System
Caterpillar and Champion Iron have signed a letter of intent to develop advanced drilling technologies based on artificial intelligence.
Over time the two companies intend to develop a remote-controlled and fully autonomous Cat electric drilling fleet to create a “drill-to-mill” system that will automate the entire process from drilling to loading to hauling to the mill. Once implemented, the process will increase efficiency and lower costs at the drilling and blasting site, the loading and haul segments and downstream processing.
Champion is a Canadian mining company and through its subsidiary Quebec Iron Ore, owns and operates the Bloom Lake Mining Complex, an iron ore mine located near Fermont, Québec. Caterpillar’s independent dealer, Toromont Cat, will provide aftermarket support for the collaboration.
Caterpillar’s integrated technology will use real-time data, artificial intelligence and analytics, to assess the status of machines, technologies, and material to enable more timely and accurate operational decisions and consistent execution across Champion’s mining value chain. The goal is to deliver a fully integrated technology solution powered by data connectivity and advanced analytics. This will improve workflow between the mine and plant and provide a more efficient end-to-end process that delivers more consistent raw material.
These 5 Road Projects in the Northeast Win Awards
Five road projects have won awards from the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials.
The winners are as follows:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation — Ohiopyle Multimodal Gateway project (Quality of Life/Community Development, Small category) (See photo at the top of this story.)
To address safety concerns and increased congestion, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation completed a $177.5 million project that improved the Spaulding Turnpike from Exit 1 in Newington, across the Little Bay Bridges, to Dover.New Hampshire DOTNew Hampshire Department of Transportation — Spaulding Turnpike Improvements (Quality of Life/Community Development, Medium category)
The $25 million Route 1 Permanent Hard Shoulder Running Project overseen by the New Jersey Department of Transportation improved safety, increased emergency access, increased capacity and travel reliability, and cut commute times by up to 50 percent.New Jersey DOTNew Jersey Department of Transportation — Route 1 Permanent Hard Shoulder Running project (Operations Excellence, Small category)
The Delaware Department of Transportation alleviated traffic congestion and created more transportation options for a Wilmington community by constructing the $82 million Senator Margaret Rose Henry Bridge.Delaware DOTDelaware Department of Transportation — Margaret Rose Henry Bridge and Approach Roads project (Operations Excellence, Medium category)
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation widened a 20-mile segment of I-93. The $755 million project has improved safety and traffic flow.New Hampshire DOTNew Hampshire Department of Transportation — I-93 Expansion project (Operations Excellence, Large category)
This is the second of four regional contests within the national America’s Transportation Awards competition. The three highest-scoring projects from each regional competition earn a place on a “Top 12” list of projects, which will compete for the Grand Prize – selected by an independent panel of industry judges – and the People’s Choice Award, chosen by the public through online voting.
The top two winners also receive $10,000 cash awards, to be donated to a charity or scholarship of the state DOT’s choosing.
The “Top 12 finalists” vying for the Grand Prize and People’s Choice awards will be announced in September, with online voting for the People’s Choice award beginning at the same time.
The winners of both Grand Prize and People’s Choice awards will be announced in October at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in San Diego.
The awards are sponsored by AASHTO, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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Terex to Debut New Machines at Utility Expo, Including Genie Boom
Terex has been developing a number of new products and technology, many of which will be seen by contractors for the first time at The Utility Expo (formerly ICUEE) September 28-30 in Louisville, Kentucky.
The new products include:
The Genie Z-45 Substation Utility Boom, which provides insulation and maneuverability to enhance work on substations. It features a fiberglass jib section and fiberglass platform with swing gate.
The Z-45 SUB complies with ANSI A92.2 standard for Category E insulating rating of 20 kV, as measured between the boom tip and the chassis. The machine’s zero tail-swing, 355-degree rotation, self-propelled steering, and up-and-over capability also give utility workers greater control of platform positioning.
General 65 MaxTerexThe General 65 MAX digger derrick is designed for the transmission market. It provides improved capacities through all boom angles, but especially in the work zone in low boom angles, digging and lifting.
A high-production Foundation Auger is designed to improve drill footage in a variety of soil conditions. The flighting pitch enhances material flow from the tooth cutting area for increased productivity. The tool features standard heavy-duty 1-inch flighting and optional extra heavy-duty 1-1/2-inch. 
Terex TL48Terex
The TL48 Telescopic Aerial Device offers what the company calls leading side reach and material handling capacity. It achieves 53 feet of working height on a Super-Duty class vehicle, while maintaining the required vehicle payload and jib capacity to get the job done.
The Terex HyPower SmartPTO reduces idling, increases fuel savings and minimizes noise and air pollution by using stored plug-in electric power to operate the equipment. Terex worked with Viatec to optimize the product on Hi-Ranger telescopic, over-center and non-over-center aerial devices and Commander and General digger derricks.
Did you miss our previous article…
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