Abstract:

Efficient mining production process is a difficult task and depends on many factors. The main cause of problems reported during this process is the environment in which it is conducted. Possible natural hazards require appropriate organization and technical equipment. Machines and equipment used in this process have to meet a number of requirements and be highly reliable. The complete use of their capabilities has a significant impact on the efficiency of the entire production process. Therefore, it is of great importance to reduce all kinds of unplanned interruptions in the work of these machines. The article presents an elaborated method of registration of interruptions in the work of mining machines and identification of their causes. The basis for the registration of these interruptions is an industrial automation system that allows for objective registration based on selected diagnostic signals. An important advantage of this system is the continuity of the process of recording diagnostic parameters and its low dependence on the human factor. In order to identify the causes of unplanned and recorded machine stoppages, an IT tool in the form of a recording system was developed and applied. This tool, through a very friendly interface, allows the dispatcher to semi-automatically identify unplanned machine downtime. In this regard, the acquisition of tacit knowledge from workers occurs. The study results indicate great possibilities of using this system to identify the causes of unplanned machine downtime and, subsequently, to reduce it. In conjunction with the industrial automation system, this tool constitutes a system that allows for objective monitoring of machinery work and, on this basis, introducing changes in order to improve their efficiency.