ABB launches new digital application to optimize dry bulk material handling for stockyard operations and beyond

New ABB Ability™ Stockyard Management System enables fully integrated collaborative operation by connecting all available information and process data to optimize bulk material handling terminals and stockyards of coal-fired power plants, steel plants or mines.

Offering sophisticated material tracking and quality management, the new ABB AbilityTM Stockyard Management System increases the efficiency of stockyards in connecting consecutive steps in complete materials transportation chains.

ABB AbilityTM Stockyard Management System enables seamless integration in production planning, providing real time information on handled material and supports the management of one or multiple inputs and outputs of different material qualities, storage, mixing and blending.

It is a configurable system that can be used to digitalize the complete material handling chain. The material flow can be modelled across all belt conveyors and transportation equipment with material properties and quality information via automated data interfaces.

“This application is the latest example of how ABB as a pioneering technology leader in digital industries is helping our customers to realize the true potential of digital to optimize their operations and achieve a certain quality of outgoing material,” said Franz Rietschel, global product manager for Stockyard Management System.  "Just-in-time or even just-in-sequence is long-established in the automotive industry; now these techniques are available for bulk material handling logistics too."

Notable state-of-the-art features of ABB Ability™ Stockyard Management System include:

• A calculated stacking model built up according to the tracked material and acting as a 'digital twin' of the stockyard. This provides the operator with an inventory overview at any time, without the need of an extra survey. All data can be used for operational optimization such as efficient space utilization in a yard, better planning and scheduling, or more accurate mixing and blending processes.
• Control and prediction of the material flow in various lines with material forecast, tracking and production history.
• The ability to coordinate all excavators in the mine or yard machines in the plant at the right position with the right timing to realize a pro-active production control which enables online mixing material according to tracking, forecasting and online quality control.
• Laser scanners or drones which can provide additional surface information of their environments enable a nearly real time update of the pile surface even after material movements due to environmental influences or due to the use of mobile machines.
• A "slice view" feature which allows operators a look at the inside of a pile to check the material mix and quality, determine its arrival time or changing material properties when more accurate information are available.
• Modelling for intra-supply-chain quality optimization allowing operation staff to view tonnes and grade by digging position and belt scale values according to geological model and online analyzers which provide information on the various material properties.
• Automated Interfaces to different systems provide a seamless workflow from ERP to control system for mine, plant and stockyard operations. An integration of PIMS, MES, production-, maintenance- and down time planning or laboratory management systems combines all available information for analytics at the right time.

ABB Ability™ Stockyard Management System employs sophisticated data collection and configuration management to interface with and various IT and OT applications and systems:

• Connectivity to IT and ERP systems through web services, TCP/IP socket communication or direct database access.
• Data interfaces OT automation systems thru OPC and if OPC is not supported thru low level data interfaces based on data wrappers.

The new ABB AbilityTM Stockyard Management System is the latest addition to the portfolio of ABB    AbilityTM digitally-enabled industry solutions, products and services. Developed out of years of sector expertise and customer insights, ABB Ability facilitates automation, the integration of data and the real-time optimzation of mining and plant processes.

Read more: https://new.abb.com/mining/mineoptimize/digital-applications/operations/abb-ability-stockyard-management-system

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader with a comprehensive offering for digital industries. With a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB is today a leader in digital industries with four customer-focused, globally leading businesses: Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, and Robotics & Discrete Automation, supported by its common ABB Ability™ digital platform. ABB's market‑leading Power Grids business will be divested to Hitachi in 2020. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees. www.abb.com

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