In mining operations maximising productivity is the goal. When mining and processing equipment is working to optimum availability production targets are being realised. An unplanned interruption can severely disrupt productivity. The right equipment will substantially reduce the risk of faults or breakdowns.
A hydraulic rock breaker relies on a consistent supply of hydraulic oil to operate – oil that can travel up to 60 metres, under pressure, through a series of pipes and tubes designed and fabricated to fit the layout of the mine. In general, the fabricated pipe and tube system has included elbows and bends welded to the pipe – and history has shown that, over time and considering the rigours of an underground mining operation, it is these welds that lose their integrity and start to leak.
CRAM’s answer was to suggest a weldless pipe and tube assembly using the unique technology of the EO2-FORM, because of the no-weld fabrication method, which will deliver substantially improved success and reliability. This variation was accepted by the client and the work went ahead at CRAM’s Unanderra (NSW) workshop.
A faster and ultimately cheaper method of connecting tube and fittings, the EO2-FORM is designed to eliminate leakage in all fluid systems by using elastomeric sealing systems. The cold-forming process gives extreme rigidity and low tightening torques and eliminates any special tube treatment, heating or chemical additives which have been used previously.
The job includes 2 off 38mm x 5mm supply lines running in tandem at 350bar, two 42mm x 3mm return lines also in tandem, a lubrication pressure line, a lubrication return line and a grease line. Each line run will be 52 metres.
In the drawings supplied to CRAM by the client, the supply and return lines were shown as single pipes; however, the specified 227 litre per minute maximum delivery on the pressure line necessitated a variation to the design.
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Image: Motion Australia
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