-ABB releases cloud-based application Trendex™ to speed up and simplify diagnosis and troubleshooting of grinding process problems

-Users are able to access high-resolution event data up to 3 seconds before and 1.3 seconds after a fault occurs via a networked device

-The tool is integrated into ABB’s ABB Ability™ Mill Predictive Maintenance Platform, ABB’s advanced digital monitoring system for gearless mill drives.

ABB has successfully developed a new tool based on the ABB Ability™ Mill Predictive Maintenance (PMG) platform that makes troubleshooting and diagnosing faults in mineral processing faster and more efficient.

In the past, the only way for engineers to discover the root cause of a problem with mill technology was to physically visit a home for troubleshooting or to access the equipment directly and remotely. With this cloud-based application, called Trendex™, platform users are able to directly access high-resolution fault data up to 3 seconds before and 1.3 seconds after a fault occurs.

It works by automatically pushing event files to the cloud and correlating the event data with transient records, giving users near-instantaneous access to operational data through the online device. In addition, improved diagnostic and visualization capabilities are provided to help engineers quickly return to production.

By eliminating the need for a direct remote connection to the equipment, as well as almost instant access to high-resolution signals associated with the event, the response time in the event of an outage is greatly accelerated compared to travel. In a time-critical process such as milling, unplanned downtime can have a significant impact on operations, damaging profitability and productivity.

With the addition of the Trendex app to the ABB PMG platform, users can access real-time data wherever they are in the world, spotting failure symptoms, pinpointing the root cause and getting back to production quickly.

As mine grades continue to decline across the globe, ABB’s gearless mill drive systems (GMDs) are critical for extracting critical minerals such as copper from ore. To meet the growing demand for critical minerals in the energy transition, it has become an industry imperative to ensure that all relevant infrastructure is available and in place.

“Unplanned downtime is a common challenge in the mining industry,” said Carlos Miguez Fernandez, global service product manager for ABB’s gearless mill drives business. ”However, in recent years, we’ve seen that high market demand has led to systems under pressure from ever-increasing uptime. ABB is doing everything it can to increase availability and reduce operating costs – and Trendex has been developed with this long-term mission in mind. It helps to enhance our mill predictive maintenance platform by providing more advanced real-time insights.”

The ABB Ability PMG platform is a digital service platform for maintaining, evaluating and analyzing GMD systems. The platform allows users to easily access GMD system parameters, visualize performance, analyze historical activity and real-time data and assess future maintenance needs. The platform is designed to better utilize resources to extend mill life, support uninterrupted operation and avoid unplanned downtime. When used in conjunction with the Grinding Connect mobile app, users receive real-time notifications to monitor and manage equipment groups.

With advanced technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation’s approximately 20,000 employees worldwide are committed to helping customers in the process, mixed and marine industries improve operational performance and safety, enabling a more sustainable and efficient future.

ABB is a technology leader in electrical and automation that empowers a more sustainable and efficient future, bringing together engineering experience and software technology into solutions that optimize manufacturing, transportation, energy and operations. With a history of excellence spanning more than 140 years, ABB’s 105,000 employees around the world are committed to driving innovation and accelerating industry transformation!