HBT Group says it will showcase its extensive range of products and services at MINExpo International 2024 in Las Vegas from September 24-26. The HBT Group is an international consortium of high-performing companies that deliver turnkey solutions for the mining, manufacturing, infrastructure, and electrification industries.
It includes the innovative brands HBT, Hauhinco, Breuer Motoren, Advantec, and Pempek Systems, offering a comprehensive portfolio of technologies, machinery, components, and services tailored to meet the demands of its customers.
Leveraging their collective expertise, the HBT Group of companies it says “addresses the diverse demands of the mining and tunnelling industries, including longwall mining systems, room and pillar equipment, road headers, water hydraulic systems, electric motors, fluids and lubricants, electrical engineering, and automation and control technology.”
At MINExpo, the HBT Group will present a broad spectrum of cutting-edge products and services designed to optimise mining and tunne/ling operations, including from Breuer Motoren an Integrated Mining Motor, the ecoVert® VFM41-1200. This is a 1,200 kW integrated variable frequency drive (VFD) motor designed for underground mining applications, including armoured face conveyors (AFCs) and beam stage loaders (BSLs), as well as high production plow systems, mine infrastructure conveyors, ventilation fans, and pumps. It features an explosion-proof, space-saving design, full speed and torque control, advanced load sharing, and sophisticated diagnostics to maximise productivity.
Designed for demanding longwall applications, HBT’s PFHD is a line pan for armoured face conveyors is the most robust and reliable solution on the market — lasting up to twice as long as its previous market-leading PF5 and PF6 models. It features a heavy-duty profile, reduced overall height, and wear-resistant properties, ensuring top productivity and cost efficiency.
Hauhinco’s Quintuplex Pump EHP-5K 400S is a quintuplex high-pressure plunger pump which delivers 169 gpm at an operating pressure of 5,200 psi. Engineered for continuous operation, this pump is energy efficient and built with high-quality wear-resistant materials, ensuring long service life. The high-pressure pump is available as a foot or flange type. For more than 50 years, Hauhinco high-pressure plunger pumps have proven their reliability in a wide range of water hydraulic fluid applications in the harshest conditions.
Also on show will be a live demo of Pempek MinEye technology. This advanced perception technology uses sensor fusion to map the operating environment and detect objects with precision. By coupling this advanced technology with Pempek’s OBP PLUS system, customers have an out-of-the box autonomous management solution for their mobile and mining vehicles that prevents collisions and enhances overall safety. A Pempek ‘Wombat rover vehicle’ will be demonstrating Pempek MineEye™ sensor technology live on the booth.
HBT longwall automation will be showcased in the form of roof support control using the HBT PMC-R 2.0 system. This offers state-of-the-art automated control for longwall roof support applications. It builds on the success of its predecessors, the PM4 and PMC-R, and combines proven architecture with advanced features and autonomous capabilities to ensure modern long wall operations are safe and efficient. HBT states: “Implementing the PMC-R 2.0 electro-hydraulic control system not only allows for full autonomous control of your roof supports, but also lays the foundation for ongoing autonomous management of your entire longwall mining system.”
The HBT visualisation provide an advanced user-friendly solution for visualising and reporting data from longwall mining systems. This powerful tool provides efficient monitoring, management, and analysis of machine data, “enabling you to efficiently view, manage, and leverage machine data, so you can make informed decisions that maximise equipment productivity, lifespan, and reliability. With remote access to read and adjust parameters, HBT’s software provides valuable insights to optimise your mining operations and increase productivity.”
Also on HBT longwall automation, this time in Personnel Proximity Detection (PPD), the PMC-R 2.0 system incorporates advanced features to ensure the safety of personnel working near moving equipment. By accurately tracking the precise location of all personnel on the longwall face in real time, the system minimises risks associated with hazardous machinery movements and enhances safety training by logging near-miss incidents.
Using wireless technology, the PMC-R 2.0 seamlessly integrates with PPD systems. An additional wireless sensor can be added to the PMC-R 2.0 to enable this PPD capability. The in-shield reader connects directly to the controller and detects tags worn by the longwall operators. When a tag is detected, the system automatically changes the colour of the shield beacon or light, providing a clear visual indicator that personnel are in the vicinity. This feature temporarily disables any automatic shield functions to prevent potential injuries.
Finally, the HBT longwall integrated lighting system will also be on the stand. It enhances visibility on the longwall face, significantly improving safety for underground personnel. With lights so powerful that only one is needed for every other roof support, this system reduces in-shield equipment requirements and boosts overall reliability. Another key benefit is the ability to warn personnel of impending shield initiation sequences. As shields become more automated and cycle times accelerate to as little as six or seven seconds, the safety of the personnel working in the area becomes a major concern. The HBT integrated lighting system enables automated control of the lights, delivering a highly visible warning signal that is more effective than an auditory alert alone.
In addition to the exhibits, HBT will provide information on the following product areas. HBT offers customised equipment solutions for longwall mining, including high-horsepower shearers; automated plow systems; AFCs; BSLs; variable frequency and controlled start drive systems, including gearboxes, electric motors, and drive connections; hydraulic roof support legs and cylinders; automation controllers and sensors; high-pressure pump stations; and hydraulic valves.
HBT Corsave – developed in partnership with TotalEnergies – is a premium longwall fluid meeting all the specifications of the underground mining industry for roof support systems. It exhibits extremely high stability when mixed with water, ensuring increased reliability of operations. It is ultimately biodegradable and non-toxic to ensure safety in sensitive areas such as underground longwall mining.
In addition to longwall mining systems for coal extraction, HBT and its partner companies also provide equipment for roadway development to build the required infrastructure for underground longwall mines and to support projects in mining and tunnelling. HBT offers an extensive equipment portfolio for developing the needed gateways, including powerful ADVANTEC roadheaders, purpose-built shuttle cars and feeder breakers, and high-capacity bolter miners for safe and efficient roadway excavation and roof bolting. The HBT product line represents a suite of robust and highly productive equipment for roadway and entry development in mining and tunnelling operations.
Cutting-edge ADVANTEC roadheaders for mining and tunnelling and roadway development are ranging from 25 t up to 140 t. ADVANTEC’s patented machine design delivers superior cutting force and advanced control systems, making them the safest and most productive roadheaders on the market.
