The key to productivity is measuring the process!
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.”
This adage is present in all the systems and equipment developed by Aplik to provide useful information to understand how a process is working so that it can be controlled.
By using a broad range of sensing elements, data can be obtained from a process or equipment in the process. Aplik has experience in monitoring (and controlling) conveyor belts, cables shovels, rock crushers, copper cathodes quality, leach pad irrigation, among others.
This data is then processed using data mining and analysis algorithms to create useful information about the process in question. Using this new information we can forecast process operations, effectively reducing the uncertainty of the process.
Finally, this information is transferred in a timely fashion to decision-makers.
As an example, consider the CSQA copper quality analysis system.
CSQA is an artificial vision system that scans cathodes and analyzes it’s surface to obtain useful information such as:
- Size and shape
- Nodules
- Sulfur spots, organic and lead
- Surfaces without deposits
- Edge strips
This new information is used to both classify the cathodes according to their quality as well as scheduling maintenance actions focused on increasing the quality of the cathodes.