当他加入Teck，Roger Cote，Automation Specialist和Project Manager，Fording River Operations（Fro），看到了采用创新和技术的机会，使采矿过程更具成本效益和高效。亚搏体育官方网站app他利用了他在汽车和制药行业的先前作用中实施自动控制的经验，并利用工作基金的想法，以将这些想法带到生命中。
虽然观察到的轨道卡正在上级装载，但罗杰注意到手动操作的过程需要多个操作员装载一列火车，这通常会导致延迟。此外，数据显示出潜力增加产量 - 2018年，轨道车辆负荷约为140,000公吨的清洁煤炭，或每年近10趟列车。
Enter the idea and motivation behind Roger’s automated train loading project. He began work designing a new system that would load railcars safely, efficiently and accurately, while increasing the speed of train loading and maximizing the available capacity of railcars.
“I started off by creating a road map to modernize the controls, integrating train scales, conveyor systems and sprays, introducing a new control platform, and changing out all the field instruments and devices,” says Roger. “Once the foundation was completed, I moved on to the next step, which was to optimize the loading of trains and improve systems through automation.”
Using a complex system of radar sensors, the system identifies the type of railcar entering the loading silo and uses this information to automatically determine how to operate the chutes to maximize loading of the railcar.
“我在系统上工作了一段时间。然而，由于经济条件，风险偏好的技术，有挑战，由于这种技术，风险令人难以置信，“罗杰解释道。亚搏体育官方网站app“然而，当介绍工作计划的想法时，我提交了我的项目并获得资金，以便继续前进。”
卓越运营的支持和RACE21™队伍，新系统的规划和实施都是全部蒸汽，第一个自动负载槽于2020年5月25日进入运作。在该月，载荷下降了一半，从额外发货了11,266公吨清洁煤（MTCC）。
Train loading efficiency also increased by 1.5% to 99.21% – it now takes only about 40 seconds to load a railcar, or two-and-a-half hours per train, which is a 41.5% increase in train loading speed. This also provides a buffer to address any unexpected train issues or crew changes.
预计第二次滑道将在今年年底之前自动化。一旦自动列车装载系统完全实现，就有额外的机会与铁路控制集成，以实现完全自动化的火车装载。
“Our operators are doing an amazing job,” shares Roger. “I give kudos to them for accepting change and telling us what’s right, what’s wrong and what needs to be improved to make this project succeed.”
Roger also credits FRO’s General Manager Richard Whittington and Operating Excellence Specialist Stephanie Cote with helping advance the Ideas at Work submission.
Now, through the work of the team at RACE21™, the concept is being evaluated for potential expansion and application to train loading facilities at our other steelmaking coal operations.
“Race21™提供了一个有帮助继续这次旅程的绝佳机会，”罗杰补充道。“我们现在可以致力于提高火车装载的效率，以维持和提供更多价值。”
Ideas at Work Fund
“This project started with Ideas at Work. It’s a prime example of how amazing technology can be.”
Have an idea for consideration? Discuss it with your supervisor or submit it through the Ideas at Work process in place at your site or office. Eligible ideas will be shared with general managers and corporate department vice presidents, who can then help take them forward for further consideration.
For further assistance with developing idea submissions, the Technology and Innovation group is available to help. For more information, contact Keith Mayhew, Manager, Technology and Innovation, or Daniel Parker, Manager, Technology and Innovation.
