BHP have announced their decision to use a new cloud-based platform
to manage costs on their productivity drive at the Mooka iron ore rail car facility.
Software application Loc8 will be used to assist with asset
maintenance by keeping track of automation, data dissemination and control over
the processes controlling 67 robots which for the Rolling Stock reliability
System (RSRS) used at Nelson Point and Mooka Ore Car Repair Shops.
The Mooka siding was part of BHPs expansion of operations to
240 million tonnes of iron ore per annum, as well as the additional rolling
stock maintenance requirements of the Rapid Growth Rail Project.
As part of a $1 billion capital productivity project, BHP
are implementing full automation of rail car maintenance tasks such as bearing
replacement and lubrication.
Automation development will see maintenance operations upgraded
to 56 cars per day.
Loc8 chief technology officer Owen Batt said services within
the supply chain would be able to run as efficiently as possible.
“BHP Billiton’s newly created iron ore car maintenance
facility in Mooka, WA, has taken the opportunity to set a high standard in
efficiency from the ground up in using Loc8 effectively as its ‘digital oil’ to
run its maintenance operations,” he said.
“We are proud to work with the team to deliver this
innovative project.”