An AI-generated image showing a Hitachi ADT alongside visual graphics. Image courtesy Hitachi

The two-year study, which began in January, focuses on identifying and predicting the remaining life of critical components on dump trucks and other ultra-large mining machines. The goal is to help engineers schedule maintenance before failures occur, improving equipment reliability, reducing downtime and lowering life-cycle costs.

Hitachi鈥檚 digital solutions team is providing detailed condition monitoring data from machines operating in remote and harsh environments. Sensors installed on key components record parameters such as temperature and pressure, enabling TU Delft researchers to model degradation trends in systems including pumps, cylinders and brakes.

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The project is led by Malihe Goli, a PhD candidate and control and automation engineer at TU Delft鈥檚 Department of Geoscience and Engineering and jointly supervised by the university鈥檚 Intelligent Sustainable Prognostics Group.

鈥淥ur mining machines have sensors installed on key components, allowing us to gather detailed information on indicators like temperatures and pressures,鈥� said Daan van Berkel, manager of mining projects and sustainable mining at Hitachi. 鈥淲e will be able to plan when a truck needs to come into the workshop with more precision and order any parts that may be required ahead of time. Addressing potential problems before they occur reduces the risk of a major issue that could put a machine out of action for weeks.鈥�

Goli said Hitachi鈥檚 participation has been central to the project.

鈥淎ccess to large-scale, real-world datasets 鈥� including detailed failure records, maintenance logs, and sensor measurements 鈥� has enabled the development of accurate, data-driven models for component degradation,鈥� she noted.

In addition to supplying sensor data, Hitachi is also contributing domain expertise to the university team, helping guide model development and interpretation. The research is expected to inform predictive maintenance strategies across the broader mining sector.

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