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64
J
anuary
2012
www.read-tpt.com›
T
echnology
U
pdate
A ROBUST actuation solution capable
of performing at high altitudes has been
supplied by AUMA to the Collahuasi
copper mine in a mountainous region of
northern Chile. Sixty modular electric
actuators automate valves controlling
materials that travel through pipelines
starting 4,300m above sea level.
The mine is one of the world’s largest
non-ferrous projects, set in an area with a
rich copper mining history. Commissioned
in 1999, an expansion programme at the
mine has given a long-term capacity of
500,000t/yr of copper.
Process facilities include a 60,000tpd
sulphide concentrator and a 50,000tpa
cathode copper oxide heap leach-SX-EW
facility.
After grinding, the ore is treated by
flotation and concentrate regrinding to
produce a high grade concentrate that is
transported 200km in a slurry pipeline from
the mine to a port. AUMA’s actuators with
three phase AC motors and gearboxes are
installed at the pipeline’s ‘choke station’, so-
called because material needs to be slowed
down after it has accelerated in transit.
Challenges met by AUMA’s actuators
included
climatic
environmental
conditions, very low temperatures at night
and extremely high temperatures during
the day.
Economical three phase motors
carrying alternating currents and corrosion
protection were important product features
that benefited the application. A track
record for AUMA supplying modular electric
actuators for mining installations includes
an installation at the ‘Los Bronces’ mine,
also located in Chile.
AUMA Riester GmbH & Co KG
–
Germany
Fax: +49 7631 809 1250
Email:
riester@auma.comWebsite:
www.auma.comOrbital
welding
GULLCO’S Pipe Kat
®
automated pipe
welding system with integrated wire feeder
unit incorporates a 40 IPM welding carriage
design with quick action mounting for ease
of installation. The carriage is equipped
with a high speed return feature for faster
repositioning of the carriage.
The Pipe Kat is also equipped with a
linear oscillator with adjustable weave width
and weld joint centreline adjustment, and all
electronic motorised functions incorporate
jog settings. The system comes with a main
control box with 7,620mm (25ft) umbilical,
wire feed spool capacity of 4.5kg (10lb), with
a maximum wire speed of 89-226cm/min
(35-633 IPM) and a wire size range of 0.8
to 2mm. The welding torch uses standard
consumables.
Gullco International Ltd
– Canada
Website:
www.gullco.comChallenges met by AUMA
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BOOTH 7A/B13
MEASURING INSTEAD
OF SCRAP MELTING
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