SICK Automation recently equipped reclaimers at Sasol Mining’s Twisdraai Export Plant and Sasol Coal Supply with its 905 nm infrared LiDAR scanner object detection systems.

With its robust engineering, designed for outdoor applications in rugged industrial environments, multi-eco technology and field switching functionality, SICK has supplied an extremely precise object detection system that minimises that risk of a collision within the hazardous area for increased site safety.

“Able to detect almost any object within a 190° scanning field with an 80 m radius, Sasol has taken proactive steps in reducing the potential for machine collisions, and possible injuries or fatalities, in line with global standards,” explains Jason Cox, Head of Sales (Logistic Automation), SICK Automation.

The high-performance LMS511 Pro is integrated within a similarly high-quality engineering configuration, including built-in system redundancy and self-signal testing. It will be automated by SICK Automation’s Flexi Soft safety controllers.

Seven reclaimers were equipped with these systems, each with slightly different functionalities as determined by reclaimer type and onsite engineer requirements. SICK executed all systems programming in-house according to specific application parameters.

 Additional functionality was integrated into the systems to monitor contamination of the laser scanners. “Occasional cleaning of excessive contamination on the lenses presents the only maintenance requirements for these systems,” Cox concludes.

The supply of these systems represents the latest venture in a long history of successful projects between SICK Automation and Sasol.