Category: Tech Talk

CORROSION usually occurs when the degradation of metal occurs due to an electrochemical process and rust is a prime example of this. It occurs when iron is exposed to oxygen and water and unlike the greenish patina on copper, rust does not create a protective layer. The corrosion of iron continues as rust flakes off and exposes fresh iron to the atmosphere – which then also corrodes. Think of the impacts of rush on mining equipment, where the extra harsh atmosphere on a mine site, the abrasion, heat, chemicals, and salt would quickly erode equipment, causing it to rust and reducing its lifespan. But what if there was a cost-effective way to increase the lifespan of CAT diggers, Volvo loaders…

MINING equipment and infrastructure in any industry are often subjected to the harshest environmental factors, such as heat, constant impact, abrasion, corrosion and chemical attack. Surface coating technology is making great headway toward protecting this valuable equipment and prolonging service life. After 26 years in the protective coatings industry, Queensland manufacturer, LiquiMix, has developed a range of polyureas that solve many expensive and environmentally sensitive problems facing the mining industry. LiquiMix’s range of Tufflon polyureas contain varying degrees of hardness, impact resistance and flexibility, with added qualities of anti-static, fire-resistance, extra-slip and potable-water approval. All-rounder Tufflon-P80, a polyurea coating designed for permanent immersion (and complies with AS4020 for potable water) is ideal for lining chemical bunds and for use over…

REAL time asset management is vital on site when the downtime that comes with unplanned and unexpected maintenance can cost millions. Accurate asset management and condition reporting can mean the difference between unplanned downtime impacting productivity and profitability – so why wouldn’t you want to simply the process? PDS Asset Management Software can be used for web, android and iOS and eliminates the need for complicated spreadsheets and inefficient hand-written reports. PDS connects multiple work groups, captures valuable inspection data and reports all the relevant information you need in a simple, easy to read format and can easily expand as your business needs evolve. Idler One of the most consistent causes of conveyor downtime and lost productivity in mine sites…

DICEROS bicornis might sound like a chemical compound found in a polyurethane formulation but it is, in fact, the Latin name for a Black Rhino – the beast with an incredibly tough hide. Rhino Linings were named after these thick-skinned juggernauts and the name aptly describes their range of protective coatings. Two-part, spray-applied, high build polyurethane was developed in the US in the early 80s to protect the beds of pickup trucks – the highest selling vehicles in America for many years. Russell Lewis, the founder of Rhino Linings Corporation in the US, was a pioneer in this process and perfected the technology and spray equipment for the application of two-part high build polyurethane. He recognised the benefit of the…

MOST people, when they think about the longevity of their building, the efficiency of their air conditioning and solar PV performance, overlook roofs and roof coatings, but they shouldn’t. Forged from the desert furnaces of the Aussie outback, Australia’s coating industry is world class by necessity, because few places in the world need to cope with such extreme conditions. Thermoshield has the capabilities to repair, seal, improve the insulating resistance values (R-values) and future-proof solar PV and other expensive investments. In fact, Thermoshield is an effective solution for any commercial or private application where there is a need to reduce radiant heat, or where there is a need to preserve structures susceptible to thermal shock and corrosion. Breaking it down:…

THE best tools in the world are usually designed by people who see a need to improve the efficiency or safety of their own job. Nivek Industries’ ingenious new Lift Assist 40 tool manipulator arm is the perfect example of a workplace solution based on real world experience. It was designed and built in Australia by Nivek’s founder Kevin Cant, who was a maintenance fitter for several years. The tool manipulator is designed to take the weight out of a wide range of tooling, including rattle guns, impact drivers, pneumatic torque guns (including Rad and J-guns,) air sanders and more. Its 40kg SWL capacity allows these heavy tools, which can be in use for hours at a time, to be…