GreaseBoss (https://greaseboss.com.au) is leading the way in industrial equipment maintenance. Improper greasing is a major cause of equipment failures, leading to over 50% of breakdowns. To address this, GreaseBoss offers a digital system that tracks and optimizes greasing processes, ensuring machines operate reliably. To expand their services to remote sites, GreaseBoss partnered with RIVIR. Together, they deployed a RIVIR R100 satellite gateway on a 3,000-ton dragline at an Anglo American mine in Queensland, Australia. This deployment allowed the system to work effectively beyond cellular coverage, marking a significant step forward.
Deployment Objectives
The main goal was to link the RIVIR satellite gateway with the GreaseBoss EndPoint data logger. This integration enabled real-time data transmission to the GreaseCloud platform from remote locations. The team also compared satellite data performance with cellular transmission, even in the noisy environment of a busy mine.
Overcoming Challenges
Servicing machines in remote locations is difficult due to the lack of communication systems. However, this deployment solved that problem by ensuring reliable data transmission, regardless of location.
The team connected the RIVIR gateway to the EndPoint using Modbus TCP/IP to RS485. They powered the gateway from the dragline’s 24V mains system, ensuring stability. Additionally, a magnetically-mounted Swarm antenna provided strong satellite connectivity, allowing for efficient data transmission to GreaseCloud.
Key Insights
This project showed that advanced technology can integrate smoothly with industrial environments. The RIVIR system demonstrated this through its seamless operation. The R100 gateway also proved durable, working well in conditions like high vibration and extreme temperatures. These insights underscore the system’s reliability in challenging environments.
Success Metrics
The deployment’s success was measured by precise data extraction and reliable satellite transmission. The team ensured the system’s performance met expectations, even in difficult conditions.
GreaseBoss plans to continue working with RIVIR to customize solutions for their customers. They are also exploring Direct to Cellular (D2C) technologies (Satellite IoT), which could offer even more reliable data transmission.
