COMPANY INSIGHT

Normet drives into a New Era

SmartDrive, SmartScan, SmartSpray will make a change in Underground Operations

Normet, the fast-growing and highly innovative Finnish technology company is internationally well known for its exceptional underground operation concepts. Normet is holding its position as a pioneer in mining equipment and underground expertise. They launched SmartDrive battery electric vehicle family earlier this year together with the SmartScan 3D laser scanning technology and SmartSpray, the next step towards automated concrete spraying technology.

Sustainable, green and economic Electric Battery-operated Machine

Normet SmartDrive is a fully new and modern technology using the latest long-life industrial grade Lithium-Ion battery technology with fast charging capability and electric motors specifically designed for harsh environments, which is available for all key machines of the mining and tunnelling portfolio. The batteries have a very long lifetime and a fast charging capability. The machine can also be charged during operation at the face from any typical underground AC-socket or quickly during operation by fast chargers.

There is no time consuming and expensive battery swapping necessary. The battery is split into modules: in the case of malfunction of a module, it will be isolated, and the rest will continue operating, without forcing the machine down somewhere in the mine or tunnel. Also, a very special feature of the electric vehicle are the two electric motors, which are redundant as well.

Normet SmartDrive is a fully new and modern technology using the latest long-life industrial grade Lithium-Ion battery technology with fast charging capability and electric motors specifically designed for harsh environments, which is available for all key machines of the mining and tunnelling portfolio. The batteries have a very long lifetime and a fast charging capability. The machine can also be charged during operation at the face from any typical underground AC-socket or quickly during operation by fast chargers. There is no time consuming and expensive battery swapping necessary.

The battery is split into modules: in the case of malfunction of a module, it will be isolated, and the rest will continue operating, without forcing the machine down somewhere in the mine or tunnel. Also, a very special feature of the electric vehicle are the two electric motors, which are redundant as well.

Normet SmartScan laser scanner mounted in the front of a Spraymec

Innovative 3D Laser for controlled Shotcrete Thickness

Spraying concrete now becomes more efficient and safer with the innovative 3D laser scanning technology SmartScan by combining the latest sensor technology with the successful shotcrete equipment and applications from Normet. SmartScan is designed for the dusty and harsh underground construction environment. Placed inside a robust stainless box mounted in front of the concrete spraying machine, the enclosure needs only to be opened for starting the scan via the touchscreen. The laser scans the face in 50 m maximum range, 0 to 180 degree horizontal and -60 to +140 degree vertical angle before spraying.

With a second scan after spraying concrete, the software automatically compares both measurements and presents in real time the thickness of the applied shotcrete. This information is shown in easy to understand colours which directly gives an overview of the targeted thickness and the under- or overspray areas. Fast deployment and scan time help to operate without breaks and the results can be automatically generated for a concrete thickness report.

Normet Concrete Spraying

Improving the Spraying Result through Automation

Talented operators at the concrete spraying machine are becoming more and more rare with the result of huge differences in the quality of the sprayed concrete. Due to this fact, Normet developed the process automation SmartSpray to minimize the operator effect and increase the productivity of spraying. SmartSpray is available in the three versions Lite, Pro and ProPlus.

SmartSpray Lite allows the operator to control only one spraying nozzle by using only one joystick to perform basic spraying movements instead of handling two or four joysticks. The nozzle position is maintained to align the concrete spray towards the surface. With this automation support of SmartSpray Lite, the operator achieves consistent and high-quality spraying results.

With SmartSpray Pro automatic movements are possible for regular spraying. The spraying nozzle moves from point-to-point and the spraying is automatic. The operator only needs to adjust the distance to the surface and to move to the next spraying segment. Large and smooth surfaces in tunnels are the result of the SmartSpray Pro.

SmartSpray ProPlus is designed to spray automatically a before defined area. The system automatically keeps the distance between the spraying nozzle and the wall profile, maintains the speed and achieves the demanded layer thickness. SmartSpray ProPlus automatically calculates the path for the nozzle movement and sprays the concrete, turning the sprayer operator from beginner to seasoned master.