BTP - Stage 1 - Enhancing Safety through Intelligent Hydraulic Tooling

Project Member(s): Paul, G., Sutjipto, S., Patel, R.

Funding or Partner Organisation: BTP PARTS PTY LTD
Ausdrill Pty Ltd (Ausdrill)

Start year: 2023

Summary: BTP Group operates one of the largest service centres for machinery and component servicing, supporting the mining, earthmoving and construction industries. This service demands comprehensive maintenance conducted both in workshops and onsite, guaranteeing the restoration of equipment for operational use. One recurring incident that exists when using hydraulic tools to install or extract components from articulated joints is material failure under load. These incidents involve the incorrect pairing of a pulling rod with a higher capacity hydraulic cylinder. The consequence of this mismatch in componentry is severe and poses significant risks for workers. During material failure under tension or compression, pulling rods are forcefully ejected from the setup, transforming into hazardous projectiles. This not only endangers the safety and well-being of workers within and outside of the operational vicinity to serious injuries but can compromise the integrity of operations by potentially damaging or rendering equipment unfit for use. The necessity of performing pressing and pulling tasks for the installation and extraction of componentry is unlikely to be eliminated from industry. Despite its inherent risks, many of the controls implemented to mitigate these risks remain administrative in nature. Consequently, the potential for component mismatches persists due to incorrect or mismatched tooling introduced through human error. Subsequently, it becomes imperative to design an engineering solution that is capable of physically preventing the application of forces to incompatible components.

Publications:

Rizvi, D, Le, DT, Ahamed, M, Sutjipto, S & Paul, G 1970, 'Multi-modal Feedback for Enhanced Hydraulic Maintenance Operations', International Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering, Sydney, Australia.

FOR Codes: Control engineering, mechatronics and robotics, Artificial intelligence, Industrial machinery and equipment

Acknowledgement of Country

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