As previewed in the September 2000 edition of Australia's Longwalls, Joy Mining Machinery introduced three new underground coal mining machines at MINExpo in Las Vegas, held October 9-12.
These were the 14CM27 continuous miner, the Integrated Mining Machine (IMM) and 1122 Multibolter.
Interest in the long-anticipated IMM was high with Joy signing up its first customer for the first production version of the machine at MINExpo. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Ingwe Coal Corporation of South Africa and Joy to undertake a collaborative development of the first IMM, scheduled to be delivered to South Africa during the latter half of 2001. The IMM will be used in the room and pillar operation at Matla.
The IMM is a double duty machine offering automated cutting while installing a full roof and rib bolting pattern. It offers increased entry development rates by eliminating place changing and double pass move time.
An interview with Tom Schwabenbauer, Joy director product development miners and haulage, will be published on ILN on October 30. The article features a detailed look at the IMM.
Joy says the 14CM27 (a smaller version of the 12CM27) has been designed with a primary focus on increased productivity and lowering cost per tonne. Increased input to 2300 volts has resulted in more power available to the machine. The voltage will also be more consistent at the higher level preventing a loss of machine power resulting from fluctuations in the power source. Increased motor horsepower and machine mass will utilise the available machine power.
Design improvements include improved machine control, achieved through the use of a variable frequency alternate current traction system that provides increase tram speed, better response and control. Proportional hydraulic control and automation options via the Joy Network Architecture (JNA) maximise cycle efficiency. The JNA electronic control offers diagnostic capabilities to reduce maintenance. Machine upgrades have been included to increase tonnage intervals between rebuilds.
The 1122 Multibolter offers simpler layout and low maintenance. Joy says this design offers a new concept in place changing roof bolting, and can be equipped with two to six semi-automatic rib and roofbolters. The bolter can be equipped for wet or dry drilling and rotary percussive drilling. The bolter works in seam heights of 1.14-3.04m.
Joy also used MINExpo to launch its internet site www.joy.com. Longwall miners around the world who were unable to attend the show were able to view videos of the various equipment on display over the internet.
