Komatsu selects ABB for 100th AC multi-drive order for open-pit shovels

The order for the ACS880 multi-drive line-up from ABB underlines a long-term partnership with Komatsu. Over 90 ABB AC drives are in operation on Komatsu’s customer mine sites around the world, working in both warm and cold climates, typically in hard rock mining applications.

ABB will provide Komatsu with the ACS880 multi-drive line-up with back-to-back installation including a common base frame and cabinet roof with back-to-back installation. Comprising one IGBT Supply Unit and modified with a non-standard DC charging circuit and up to eight motor inverter drives, the shovel controlled by the ACS880 multi-drive operates at low voltage AC. Using individual motor inverters for all drives increases production up-time.

ABB AC drives for open-pit shovels are compact, robust units that are modified to withstand shock and vibrations – essential technology for shovel reliability and productivity. The ACS880 multi-drive, with direct torque control (DTC), delivers fast dynamic performance at low motor speeds and prevents premature aging of power components. The cabinet system has been modified to withstand shock and vibrations – technology which is essential for shovel reliability and productivity on large scale mine sites. This is one of the state-of-the-art systems and solutions from ABB that expand functionality, reduce maintenance costs and extend the life of equipment.

“Using high efficiency motors, AC technology provides better overall drive train efficiency than conventional DC applications," said Boris Rathmann, product manager, shovel and dragline at ABB. “Due to the extreme conditions in open-pit mining, the challenge is to deliver a solution that operates reliably 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and provides optimum power for the load cycle requirements of the shovel. This latest order comes 15 years after the company’s first order for ABB drive technology to support P&H shovels and takes our fleet of ABB AC drives for shovels to a milestone figure of 100.”

Patrick Singleton, product director, shovels at Komatsu, commented, "The joint technology development partnership between Komatsu and ABB has been cultivated over 50 years. This period has seen the melding of best in class technology, available at the time, up to and including the joint development and integration of AC motors and drives into electric mining shovels beginning in 2007 with the 4100C BOSS AC. The AC product has provided unparalleled levels of system responsiveness with the fastest cycle times, equipment availability and overall machine performance. ABB’s significant presence within the mining sector combined with Komatsu’s engineering, service and support network results in an understanding of the hardware demands being placed on the electrical system of a shovel.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/product-news/19042019/komatsu-selects-abb-for-100th-ac-multi-drive-order-for-open-pit-shovels/