CRCSI researchers at Curtin University built the world’s first mill condition monitoring technology using 3D laser scanners to see, in fine detail, the whole inside of a mill.
The technology was proven in Australia and then sold to Outotec, a Finnish company. Now, MillMapper is the industry standard in mill liner condition monitoring and modelling operating in over 20 countries. The technology improves safety (as technicians are no longer required to take measurements from inside the mill), minimises inspection shutdown times, captures wear data on the entire mill, optimises liner designs (as it can compare the wear over time of different minerals going through the mill), defines metallurgical parameters and improves the identification of liner abnormalities, significantly reducing unforeseen liner failures.
MillMapper allows mill operators (ore and mineral extraction) to extend the life of their internal liners by 10 per cent, increase productivity (less downtime changing liners) saving at least $50,000 per hour per mill and has improved OH&S.