Joy, a subsidiary of Joy Global, produced its first CM unit – the model 3JCM – back in 1948.

Other milestone dates came in 1953 when Joy introduced the 1CM3, in 1969 when the 11CM was released and in 1977 with the launch of both the 14CM5 and the 12CM11.

By the middle of the 1980s, Joy brought the 14CM10, 14CM15 and 12CM12 to the industry – machines which remain fixtures in many mines today.

In addition to those models, since the late 1990s the company has developed and produced the 12HM heavy-duty miner series.

The series incorporates high voltage capability, up to 35% more installed power and up to 30% longer life expectancy.

“Early improvements were marked by the transition from on-board operation to operation via radio remote control, reducing exposure to dust, vibration, and an unsupported roof,” the company said.

“Current innovations include improvements in operator interface ergonomics.”

The OEM’s current generation remote control stations, for example, are more than 80% lighter than the units’ original designs and allow a more natural placement of the hands.

A continued focus on operator-to-machine interaction also led to Joy’s release of products such as the Joy Smartzone proximity detection system, Joy Wethead spray systems and the Joy SmartConveyor.

Smartzone proximity detection is an operator awareness feature that teaches the operator to control the continuous miner from safe working zones.

If an operator breaches these zones, certain machine functions are disabled until the operator retreats into an acceptable zone.

The Joy Wethead spray systems attack dust generation at its source by integrating sprays onto the cutting drum behind every cutter bit.

Independent studies show reduced dust generation in excess of 30%.

Joy’s SmartConveyor incorporates the latest sound abatement technologies to reduce sound output while improving maintainability.

According to a July 2011 article in Mining Engineering, “underground results show 45 per cent to 65 per cent noise exposure reduction for the operator” compared to a standard machine.

SmartConveyor combines multiple technologies such as Joy’s patented dual sprocket conveyor chain and auto-tensioning feature to improve the operating environment.

Joy’s history extends back to 1919 when it received the patent for the first mechanical loader.