Tyre Pressure Monitoring System for Small-to-Medium-Sized Operators

MEMS Lite is Michelin Tyre Company’s latest entry-level Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). It meets the contemporary needs of small-to-medium surface mine operators and contractors with smaller dump trucks. So far, recent data gathered from a gold mine in South Africa shows that, when deployed as specified, the MEMS Lite system increases tyre life, enhances safety and optimises productivity. Boldened by the results from the mine and emerging from other projects globally, Michelin is eager to replicate this success in the African mining sector.   

One of the pervasive challenges encountered in surface mining operations is dump truck downtime. Poor tyre pressure monitoring is often cited as one of the main causes.

Given that material from dump trucks is needed in comminution processes, among others, from a productivity viewpoint, downtime can have a huge impact. For instance, tyre damage resulting from poor monitoring can ground a dump truck. The ensuing loss of productivity can translate into a huge revenue.

The need for sound tyre pressure monitoring

For this reason, it is paramount for mining companies to invest in sound tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). Blue-chip entities, with huge financial resources, can afford the most advanced alternative technologies.

Unfortunately, with competing needs on their limited financial resources, small-to-medium-sized operators and contractors do not have that luxury. Hence, with no option, they stick to conventional tyre pressure monitoring.

Timely Response

Michelin, a global tyre solutions giant, recognises the need for affordable tyre pressure monitoring among small-to-medium operators and contractor with smaller dump trucks typically below 150 tonnes. And so, in a timely response, recently, the company unveiled MEMS Lite, an entry-level TPMS.

In a brief to surface mine operators through Mining Business Africa, Fabien Taillardat, Mining Commercial Director for Africa, India, and the Middle East underlines the relevance of the revolutionary tyre pressure monitoring solution. Specifically, he explains that MEMS Lite addresses the shortcomings of the conventional technique of using a manual pressure gauge, which results in poor tyre monitoring and attendant challenges. He attributes this to its unique elements, particularly, the liquid-proof sensors and the reading station, which offer incredible convenience.

Shortcomings of Conventional Pressure Monitoring

The main shortcomings of the manual pressure gauge are limited interval usage, as well as inconsistency and unreliability.

• Limited intervals 

Typically, a manual tyre pressure gauge is limited. Labour-intensive, it only allows an operator to monitor one truck per week. Furthermore, it is always a challenge for the tyre crew to track and access trucks without slowing production.

• Inconsistency and unreliability 

A manual tyre pressure gauge is not consistent. “A manual manometer is not designed to measure the internal temperature of a tyre. Consequently, as the pressure of a tyre changes due to temperature changes, an inspector cannot accurately measure the changes and will have to rely on subjective perception,“ Taillardat expounds.

Additionally, other shortcomings that cause unreliable and inconsistent tyre pressure monitoring are the calibration of the pressure gauge, continuous training of tyre inspectors, and the human error factor.

Impact of Poor Pressure Monitoring

Ultimately, the aforementioned shortcomings impact dump truck operations significantly. Markedly, this is in the areas of safety, accelerated tyre wear, and unscheduled downtime.

• Safety challenges 

Manual tyre pressure monitoring exposes the operator to poor vehicle handling and the tyre inspector to hazards around the trucks, including tyres with excessive pressure or heat build-up.

• Accelerated tyre wear 

Poor tyre pressure monitoring leads to accelerated tyre wear. For instance, a 15% reduction in tyre pressure can reduce a tyre’s lifecycle by up to 20%, according to research data from Michelin.

Worse still, a flat tyre that is not detected early can be damaged after a few kilometres. “This is a huge challenge on bigger dump trucks, where it is almost impossible for the operator to sense a flat tyre on the rear axle when they are driving,” Taillardat indicates. 

• Unscheduled Downtime

Last but not least, poor tyre pressure monitoring pressure leads to unscheduled downtime. For instance, when a pressure problem reveals itself during an operator inspection, it usually has to be fixed immediately. This task halts production. 

Incredible Convenience of MEMS Lite

In no doubt, it is not an overstatement that MEMS Lite introduces incredible convenience to tyre pressure monitoring, but fact. This is owing to liquid-proof sensors and a fixed reading station, which allow for control over tyre pressure monitoring, besides virtually eliminating the need for costly maintenance requirements.

•      Liquid-proof sensors

The proven liquid-proof sensors that are included in MEMS Lite allow for the use of Tyre Additive. Taillardat stresses that this is not the case with most Temperature Pressure Monitoring solutions on the market.

•      A fixed reading station

A fixed reading station strategically positioned on the side of the road captures tyre data periodically based on when vehicles drive. Worth underscoring, due to this feature, MEMS Lite does not require additional hardware on the truck. The feature makes the solution easy and inexpensive to deploy across the mine’s fleet.

Reduced Maintenance Requirements

The sensor and reading station has reduced the need for frequent maintenance, commonly encountered with comparable products on the market.

The sensor has been designed to outlive the lifespan of the most durable tyres. This means that once installed inside the tyre, the sensor will stay alive until the tyre is disposed of.

On the other hand, the reading station is maintenance-free, save for some routine cleaning with regard to solar panels.

Control over tyre pressure monitoring

The combined efficiency of the sensor and reading station enabling control over tyre pressure-related issues. Taillardat elaborates, “Multiple readings per day per tyre – and at least once per day – allow operators to detect most pressure issues early enough to either fix them immediately or plan a stop at the tyre shop before the issue becomes critical.“

Massive gains

By and large, through enabling timely intervention, MEMS Lite brings massive gains by enhancing safety and optimising productivity.

From a safety perspective, MEMS Lite drastically reduces the time that tyre inspectors spend around trucks in the pit, which reduces their exposure to hazards. Further, health tyres minimise the risk of tyre-failure-related accidents. In this way, it enhances safety.

From a productivity perspective, MEMS Lite frees up staff from convoluted tyre pressure monitoring, allowing them to focus on other critical tasks, where they are needed. Additionally, a healthy tyre ensures that the dump truck is available for operations most times.

Mine digitisation

Indeed, all told, through the groundbreaking launch of MEMS Lite, Michelin demonstrates its commitment to helping small-to-medium mining companies digitise the critical but complicated process of tyre management. “The tyre is one of the few truck components that is still not connected. Thus, MEMS Lite is an easy way to connect tyres and gather data, paving the way for full digitisation of any mine,” comments Taillardat.

Commitment to cutting-edge solutions 

Chiefly, the introduction of MEMS Lite denote Michelin’s solid track record in the provision of cutting-edge tyre management solutions. Michelin has been offering Temperature and Pressure Monitoring solutions designed for the extremely demanding mining environment for the past fifteen years. “Our extensive and global experience gives us an edge, allowing us to offer robust equipment that is easy to use and gives a consistent reporting suite that is professional and comes with the support of our field engineers,” Taillardat concludes, referring to Michelin’s capability to meet the contemporary needs of African surface mining sector sufficiently.