Weir Minerals announce global launch of Synertrex

Company’s innovative new IIoT platform set to transform understanding of all aspects of equipment operation

WEIR Minerals have announced the launch of Synertrex, their advanced Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology. Complementing the company’s existing portfolio of mining and quarrying equipment, the Synertrex platform will deliver an advanced level of understanding, allowing operators to monitor every aspect of their equipment’s operation, prevent problems and increase throughput.

Ricardo Garib, Minerals Division president, said: ‘We believe our Synertrex platform will have a significant impact on the industry, transforming customer operations through improved productivity and safety. Working with technology market leaders Microsoft and Dell has enabled us to develop sophisticated predictive software and hardware which is robust enough to operate in extreme conditions across the globe.’

IIoT is a network of equipment that connects to the Internet and shares data that can be converted into unique insights. Demand for IIoT-enabled products is growing rapidly, particularly in the mining industry where it is being used in a number of areas, including analytics, machine learning, and robotics.

Synertrex is a cutting-edge IIoT platform that harnesses the latest digital technology to transform productivity, foresee risk and enhance performance. Utilizing cloud computing, it involves placing smart sensors on an array of Weir Minerals’ products, which gather critical operating data for advanced analysis.

These data are transformed into powerful insights that are relayed to the customer through a digital interface. It can identify problems before they occur, reduce downtime, and optimize equipment performance across an entire circuit.

Remote management allows for simplified maintenance. Wear and tear can be easily monitored, and trouble spots detected before they escalate into major issues. Whether it is drive system, structural or lubrication issues, Synertrex provides the tools to keep equipment running at its most profitable.

With Synertrex, the guesswork is removed. Through the platform, customers will have detailed real-time insight into how their equipment is performing, and machines will be able to learn over time. Information is displayed on a simple, easy-to-understand dashboard that can be accessed via any device or integrated into existing operational systems. It will convey real-time, fact-based insights into machine performance and health, remaining useful life and other crucial indicators.

Fred Bradner, vice-president of global strategy, sales and marketing, added: ‘Synertrex makes the complex simple; better insight and control of equipment enables customers to make accurate, condition-based decisions. This platform will redefine field service standards and lead to greater performance, reliability and, ultimately, return on investment.’

Currently, the platform can be paired with Warman pumps, Cavex hydrocyclones, GEHO positive displacement (PD) pumps, Enduron high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR), Enduron screens and Enduron crushers, although there are plans to expand the range of compatible products. Customers with existing Weir Minerals’ products who wish to enable Synertrex will be able to retrofit sensors to equipment.

John McNulty, vice-president of global engineering and technology, concluded: ‘This technology is backed by our 147 years of experience and unrivalled service support. Our team travel to the customer’s site to install the sensors, connect to the cloud and provide training to ensure they fully understand how the Synertrex platform works and what it can do.

‘The data gathered from Synertrex, combined with our in-depth product knowledge, provide unique insights on performance that only the OEM can deliver. Our extensive service network can quickly act on the outputs from Synertrex to provide unrivalled on-site support to our customers.’