Parts
HMWS GROUPRemote Mining is a Different Challenge
HMWS was commissioned to solve the challenge of a redesign of the electrical architecture of the harness and cable assemblies for a fleet of Rotary Blasthole Drills. RBH drills are a heavy-duty piece of machinery requiring upkeep and servicing to maintain usability in demanding environments. With the rig often operating in open mine sites that don’t have the luxury of having a workshop at every point in the site, an easily serviced machine was a necessary factor.
Maintenance crews need to decipher and diagnose faults quickly, source the correct parts without confusion, and complete repairs without specialist electrical support on call. Standard OEM harness designs, built around spliced cables and inconsistent connector identification, weren’t built with that reality in mind.
The project on this machine was not a partial upgrade but a full redesign from the ground up, with serviceability and reliability at the forefront.
A Plug-And-Play Design for the Field
The foundation of the HMWS solution is a fully integrated plug-and-play design that is centred on eliminating cable splices, making connections identifiable, and ensuring every component can be replaced efficiently in the field. Every connector port across the redesigned system is labelled for direct cross-referencing to the visual blueprint, with parts easily identifiable for a simpler reordering process, a factor that can be the difference between a quick repair and a lengthy delay for technicians on site.
Engineered End to End
A large part of structuring the upgraded design involved introducing purpose built electrical enclosure positioned across the machine. Each enclosure protects its components from harsh operating environments while acting as an organised hub for its respective circuits. The engine enclosure consolidates controls and circuits, including resettable breakers, a starter isolation switch for testing motors, internal LED lighting, and a diagnostic connector. The A-frame design replaces traditional wire splices with bus receptacles, improving serviceability and allowing for easier future expansion.
The isolation and air-conditioned enclosures centralise key systems, improving access and protecting systems from vibration, dust, and water. Purpose-built cable trays and a single trunk harness connect all electrical enclosures, reducing joins and potential failure points.
A bulkhead connection panel removes cab wall penetrations, improving sealing, eliminating rub points, and adding an expansion capacity. The operator dashboard was also updated to align with the play-and-play system, including conversion from RCS to non-RCS format for improved remote serviceability via a custom adapter.
Support built into the system
A well-designed system needs to be supported through its working lifespan. In the HMWS redesign, every component is assigned a dedicated part number with full schematic designs provided to assist with fault-finding and servicing. A proposed spare parts itemised list is generated to highlight essential parts for operation and ensure HMWS maintains stock specifically catering to support in both breakdowns and maintenance.
When issues arise, having clear part identification and readily available replacements makes a real difference in reducing downtime from days to a matter of hours.
Electrical Systems That Match the Demand of the Operation
The Rotary Blasthole Drill project reflects a broader principle in how HMWS approaches harness designs; electrical systems should be engineered with the same rigour as the manufacturing of the machine, with workplace use in mind.
For mine operations running drill fleets in remote locations, that philosophy delivers real value through faster repairs, identifying faults, and production processes, avoiding unnecessary interruption.
If you’re looking for a tailored project designed specifically around the needs of your organisation and team, contact HMWS below.
Contact us: [email protected]
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