CSIRO Exploration & Mining has spent 12 months developing an IS keyboard that will do away with the current external IS keyboards.

Many of the current keyboards are constructed from stainless steel, with a flat plastic surface imprinted with representations of the keys. These have a poor tactile response, a problem which becomes even worse when the operator is wearing gloves.

“Because of their rigid construction current IS keyboards are often difficult to use, requiring very deliberate keystroke depression for each and every key in a string,” CSIRO automation system engineer and project leader Ron McPhee said.

“This new IS keyboard is based on a flexible silicon design where the keys are easy to depress and this results in a full-size keyboard that is much less demanding to use.

“In addition, because it is made from flexible silicon the keyboard can be rolled into a small bundle and transported easily. It is rugged, waterproof, grease tolerant and can withstand extremely harsh treatment without failure.”

CSIRO has gained IEC 60079-11 certification for the keyboard, which hasn’t been without its challenges.

McPhee said a large amount of the research time was spent in obtaining IS approval, presenting technical challenges to the researchers when the design needed to be modified to conform to the restrictions imposed by IS standards.

The end product from McPhee and his team can be manufactured for a fraction of the cost of current IS keyboards.

All these factors should slot in nicely with the increasing use of computers underground alongside the development of longwall automation.

“The impending development of other autonomous mining equipment, like continuous miners and shuttle cars, will ensure that this trend will continue unabated,” McPhee said.

CSIRO currently holds the patent for the technology and is seeking local and international commercial partners.