en.Wedoany.com Reported - Swiss ABB has launched a digital platform, Grinding Connect, for mining companies, specifically designed for operations using gearless mill drive (GMD) systems.
The platform has been launched globally, aiming to enhance visibility of critical grinding assets, reduce unplanned downtime, and improve the efficiency of maintenance plans. These factors are becoming increasingly challenging as the industry faces pressure on productivity and reliability.
This launch comes at a time of strong growth in demand for critical minerals. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), this demand is expected to triple by 2030. In this context, ensuring the continuous operation of grinding circuits is crucial for plant performance. According to ABB's own data, a single unplanned downtime event can cost up to $500,000 per hour.
The new platform aims to meet the growing demand for specialized remote support, predictive maintenance, and continuous performance optimization. The solution is cloud-based, consolidating expertise accumulated from over 160 GMD systems installed globally by ABB, combining advanced analytics with digital workflows. In practice, Grinding Connect enables operators to track equipment status in real-time, access service history, open work orders, and interact with ABB experts within a single digital environment.
The platform integrates solutions developed by the company in recent years, such as asset condition and health monitoring tools, advanced diagnostics, and GMD Copilot (an AI-based virtual assistant). Users can receive prescriptive maintenance recommendations based on over 180 operational variables, as well as intelligent alerts, event analysis, and data correlation capabilities. Another advantage lies in identifying anomalies, detecting signal faults, and generating smart notifications with action recommendations. The goal is to reduce urgent on-site interventions, enabling teams to prioritize decisions more decisively with the support of remote diagnostics and expert collaboration.
Mikel Torre, Global Manager of the Grinding Business Unit at ABB's Process Automation Division, stated that mining operators are seeking practical ways to improve availability, shorten response times, and make smarter maintenance decisions for production-critical assets. Grinding Connect brings together ABB's services and GMD system knowledge in a digital environment, allowing users to work with a complete view of asset condition, service history, and professional support.
The solution has been developed in accordance with ABB's cybersecurity standards and international practices, including the requirements of the IEC 62443 standard. The platform is now available to mining customers worldwide using ABB gearless mill drive systems.
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