Autonomous excavation using a rope shovel

This paper describes automation of the digging cycle of a mining rope shovel which considers autonomous dipper (bucket) filling and determining methods to detect when to disengage the dipper from the bank. Novel techniques to overcome dipper stall and the online estimation of dipper "fullness" are described with in-field experimental results of laser DTM generation, machine automation and digging using a 1/7th scale model rope shovel presented. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Autonomous excavation using a rope shovel

This paper describes automation of the digging cycle of a mining rope shovel which considers autonomous dipper (bucket) filling and determining methods to detect when to disengage the dipper from the bank. Novel techniques to overcome dipper stall and the online estimation of dipper “fullness” are described with in-field experimental results of laser DTM generation, machine automation and digging using a 1/7th scale model rope shovel presented.

Testing the efficacy of a chilli-tobacco rope fence as a deterrent against crop-raiding elephants

Chilli-based repellents have shown promise as deterrents against crop-raiding elephants in Africa. We experimented with ropes coated with chilli-based repellent as a cheap alternative to existing elephant cropraid deterrent methods in India. Three locations (Buxa Tiger Reserve, Wyanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Hosur Forest Division) representing varying rainfall regimes from high to low, and with histories of intense elephant-agriculture conflict, were selected for the experiments that were conducted over 2-3 months during the pre-harvest period of the kharif season in late 2006. Chilli and tobacco powder mixed with waste oil was applied to ropes strung around agricultural fields of 1.4-5.5 km perimeter and elephant approaches were monitored. Elephants breached the rope fences a few times at all three study sites. Female-led herds were far more deterred (practically 100% reduction) than were solitary males (c. 50%) by the chilli-tobacco rope. Efficacy of this method as a deterrent was significantly better in the low-rainfall regime relative to medium and high-rainfall regimes. The initial promising results present a case for more rigorous experimentation; these would help determine if the elephants avoiding the rope are responding physiologically to the chilli-tobacco smell or merely reacting cautiously to a novel substance in their environment.

Comparisons of Shark Catch Rates on Longlines Using Rope/Steel (Yankee) and Monofilament Gangions

During the months of June through September in 1991 and 1992, 71 shark longlines were fished in the Chesapeake Bight region ofthe U.S. mid-Atlantic coast with a combination of rope/steel (Yankee) and monofilament gangions. A total of 288 sharks were taken on 3,666 monofilament gangions, and 352 sharks were caught on 6,975 Yankee gangions. Catch rates between gear types differed by depth strata, by month, and by species. Analyses were divided between efforts in the nursery ground ofthe sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus, in Chesapeake Bay and efforts outside the Bay. Mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) ± SE, as sharks caught per 100 hooks fished, was significantly (P<0.05) lower for Yankee gangions. Mean CPUE's for sandbar sharks in the nursery ground were 20.6 ± 3.8 for Yankee gangions and 26.0 ± 3.0 for monofilament gangions, and mean CPUE's for all species combined outside the Bay were 3.7 ± 0.7 for Yankee gangions, and 6.9 ± 1.2 for monofilament gangions.

New ground rope for 238 ton stern trawlers

The sea bottom of the Wadge and Pedro Banks are covered with hard corals and rocks, which cause frequent damages to the net and sometimes total loss of the gear (Hamuro, 1966). This has been one of the main reasons why trawling had been restricted to a small area of the Wadge Bank until recent years.

Import substitution of combination wire rope. Part 1. Design, production and evaluation of a prototype combination wire rope

Model combination wire ropes with different covering materials were prepared and worked out specification for the prototype. A table model hand operated wire rope twisting machine was also developed for this. Prototype combination wire rope was twisted in collaboration with M/s South India Wire Ropes Ltd., Alwaye. Specification details, properties and field performance of the prototype studied are reported.

Import substitution of combination wire rope. Part 2. Production and standardisation of 17 mm dia combination wire rope.

The prototype combination wire rope (Cift-CWR 1) developed for deep sea trawling was further studied for improvement, optimisation of efficiency and standardization. A series of improved prototype combination wire ropes (Cift-CWR 2 to 6) were twisted and evaluated their mechanical properties and reported in this paper with recommendations for a standard 17mm dia combination wire rope of 6S (7C+8+1 Scr) + 6 Crs(6+1+1 Crc) construction.

Import substitution of combination wire rope. Part 3: Comparison of standard Cift-CWR and imported combination wire rope

Tensile and extension properties of standard Cift-CWR and imported combination wire ropes from Japan, Norway and Denmark are studied and the analysis is presented in the paper. Tensile and chemical properties of steel wire, tensile and abrasive properties of PP covering, effect of twist on material at different stages are worked out and reported.