Voith implements first BeltGenius ERIC system

Voith, Heidenheim, Germany, has announced that its digital twin BeltGenius ERIC (Efficiency and Reliability Intelligence Control) is successfully operating at a European mine.

According to a news release from Voith, the project has reached a milestone, with all the key figures announced at the beginning of the prototype run having been attained for the customer since the start of the project. BeltGenius ERIC analyzes and compares on the basis of standardized values how respective belt conveyor systems perform. By means of these key figures, Voith is able to identify physical deviations of the belt system, which serve as an early indicator of failures. In addition, Voith says the mine operator is given a starting point for determining how efficiently the respective system transports material. With the help of this key figure, conveyors can be compared with each other.

The newly defined data has made it possible to take measures that have led to improved uptime and reduced energy consumption. The prototype is used in a conveyor belt system with a capacity of 37,500 tons per hour and a speed of 7.5 meters per second. The belt of the system is 2.2 kilometers long and 2.7 meters wide and is completely digitally mapped by the system.

"BeltGenius ERIC has achieved all planned key figures at the customer's site," says Manfred Ziegler, business development manager of Belt Conveyor Systems at Voith. "The exact image of the belt conveyor system generated by the digital twin enables us to create further added value for our customers and thus maximize productivity.”