To integrate automation into its hydraulic and pneumatic solutions, industrial equipment manufacturer Parker Hannifin combines motion control, sensing, electronic controls and connected diagnostics into more intelligent system architectures for mining equipment, says territory manager Selina Naidoo.

Through the use of IQAN – an electronic control system for mobile application focusing on functional safety, precision control of hydraulics and ease of use – Parker Hannifin’s condition monitoring solutions enable monitoring and inspection to support predictive maintenance.

“These capabilities help mining operators increase productivity through more consistent machine performance, improve reliability by detecting problems earlier and enhance operational efficiency by reducing energy losses, maintenance interruptions and unplanned downtime,” she explains.

The IQAN system consists of fully integrated solution controllers and displays that are configured and maintained with the IQAN software toolchain, providing a reliable, flexible and efficient solution for controlling mobile machinery.

Its robust design, advanced capabilities and comprehensive support features make it an “excellent choice for system engineers and manufacturers looking to develop and enhance their mobile control systems”, says Naidoo.

The IQAN simplifies the often complex implementation of safety functions in machine and system designs with certified controllers designed in accordance with the IEC 61508 code, enabling SIL 2 and EN 13849-1 Performance Level-D compliance while also meeting demanding mobile equipment standards.

Integrating Data

Playing a critical role in modern mining, remote diagnostics enable maintenance teams to monitor equipment health continuously, identify abnormal conditions earlier and make service decisions before failures interrupt production.

To enable remote diagnostics, Parker Hannifin uses connected hydraulic, pneumatic, filtration and fluid-control technologies that can monitor variables such as pressure, temperature, flow, contamination, filter condition, fluid quality, leakage indicators and component performance trends.

“By integrating sensor data with machine controls, dashboards, alerts and maintenance workflows, Parker Hannifin helps teams move from reactive troubleshooting to condition-based and predictive maintenance,” says Naidoo.

The measurable benefits customers typically target or achieve include reduced unplanned downtime, faster troubleshooting, extended component life, lower maintenance costs, improved asset use, reduced fluid and filter waste and improved safety.

Moreover, data-driven insights from connected hydraulic and pneumatic systems help mining companies move from fixed interval or reactive maintenance to condition-based maintenance where service is planned around actual equipment health and duty cycle.

“For mining operators, the result is typically higher equipment availability, fewer emergency repairs, longer hydraulic fluid and filter life, improved component reliability, lower maintenance cost and better overall lifecycle performance,” she highlights.

However, the biggest challenges mining companies face with predictive maintenance are usually less about the concept and more about turning equipment data into reliable, actionable maintenance decisions in harsh operating environments, outlines Naidoo.

As such, in harsh operating conditions where dust, vibration, shock loads, moisture, heat and contamination can damage sensors and fluid-power components, Parker Hannifin provides rugged hydraulic, pneumatic, filtration, hose, sealing and sensing technologies designed for severe-duty applications.

“Mines often operate mixed fleets with older machines. Parker Hannifin can support retrofits using sensors, monitoring devices, electronic controls and system-level engineering to add visibility without requiring full equipment replacement,” points out Naidoo.

In addition to this, remote operations may have inconsistent network access – a scenario in which Parker Hannifin can support local monitoring, machine-level diagnostics and integration with broader control or maintenance systems, where connectivity is available.

Moreover, predictive maintenance can only be undertaken if alerts are addressed timeously. Here, Parker Hannifin aims to help by aligning monitoring technologies with maintenance practices, service intervals, spare-parts planning and operator training.

“For Parker Hannifin and similar motion-and-control technology providers, the highest-impact opportunity will be combining efficient fluid-power hardware with sensing controls, connectivity and application expertise,” she concludes.