Endpoint Low Flow at Carmichael Mine

Eliminating Costly Mining Sizer Bearing Failures with Precision Lubrication

  • Eliminate costly grease-related bearing failures and associated production losses.
  • Achieve exceptional ROI with $60m in forecasted annual savings from a $50k investment.
  • Ensure precise lubrication with real-time data comparing planned versus actual grease volumes.
  • Proactively detect equipment issues like failing autolube pumps before they cause major damage.  

a major failure every 2 months

A Tier 2 coal mine in Queensland was experiencing a major failure occurring every two months, costing the mine $8 – $13.5m per failure in lost production (roughly $10m per failure).

Incorrect lubrication was identified as the root cause of most of these failures. All of the sizers had been installed with an automatic lubrication system by the OEM, which was tuned and managed by the OEM.

CRITICAL POINT MONITORING ON BOTH CRUSHING TRAINS

GreaseBoss implemented the Critical Point Monitoring solution, installing 52 Endpoint LF units on the two crushing trains.

This solution provided near real-time lubrication volume data, allowing for immediate comparison of planned vs actual greasing volumes to the engineering design.

52 Endpoint LF on 2 crushing trains

Endpoint LF units fitted to every critical grease point

Near real-time lubrication volume data

allowing for immediate comparison of planned vs actual greasing volumes to the engineering design.

reduce annual grease spend by 74% year-over-year

figure 01 / 03 planned vs actual compliance
day one: grease point compliance vs engineering design
40% 30% 30%
under-greased 40%
over-greased 30%
on-target 30%

Planned vs actual compliance reports made the gap visible on day one. Adjustments were made to ensure each grease point received the correct volume.

grease-related bearing failures, month by month
−$10m
−$10m
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug
failure every 2 months
$8 – $13.5m lost production per failure
greaseboss implemented
Volumes corrected at every grease point
no failure in 6 months
detected autolube pump failure: missed by SCADA and inspection
step 01
GreaseBoss data flags a failed autolubricator pump
Six months after install.
step 02
Unnoticed by site SCADA systems and site inspection
Volume data caught what pressure switches did not.
step 03
Timely replacement before any bearing failures occurred
No production lost.

ROI

120,000%