The countdown is on for the 63rd National IQA Conference (IQA2021) in Newcastle from 29 to 31 March, 2022.
Industry doyen warns of post-COVID challenges
After more than 50 years of involvement with an OEM and supplier to the mining and aggregates industries in Australia, Dale Elphinstone is no stranger to the twists and turns of fickle economic conditions – but he remains ever the optimist.
Boral announces board changes after Seven Group acquires majority ownership
Boral Limited has announced changes to its Board of Directors after Seven Group Holdings closed its Offer to buy more Boral shares, securing a 69.6 per cent holding in the construction materials giant.
Hanson unhappy with rehabilitation refusal
Hanson Construction Materials has had a work variation plan refused by the Victorian Earth Resources Regulator for the rehabilitation of the former Harkaway Quarry.
Rammer releases biodegradable grease
Rammer has launched BIO Tool Grease – a biodegradable grease for hydraulic rockbreakers – as part of its aim to help support more sustainable rockbreaking operations.
Komatsu recycled plastics continue sustainable practices
Komatsu has introduced a sustainable packaging initiative to ensure the plastic bottles for its oil wear analysis samples contribute as little as possible to landfill.
Holcim’s ocean plastic recovery strengthens circular economy
Holcim has assisted with the launch of a plastic recovering, solar-powered catamaran, with the ability to recover four tonnes of plastic per day for use in new products and alternative energy.
Maintaining drill rig chains professionally
Drill rig chains work in some of the most challenging environments. High loads, abrasive conditions and exposure to dirt and dust mean these chains have a shorter service life than most other roller chains.
As BSC National Product Manager for Power Transmission, Troy Markland, explains, “roller chains are typically designed to work approximately 15,000 hours in general industrial applications when meeting standard duty conditions, horsepower guidelines and general good PM practices.
“But in heavy-duty applications such as in drill rigs, their service life can be much shorter. That said, if you are getting very short life out of your chains or if the chains are elongating after only a few weeks or months, that’s a sign your roller chains are not suitable for the job,” Markland says.
As an external drive professional with nearly 30 years of experience at BSC, Markland’s recommendation for heavy-duty applications such as drill rigs is the Diamond HS series chain.
“The Diamond high strength chains are at the very top end of strength when it comes to roller chains,” Markland says.
“The HS series chains have been made with increased fatigue strength which allows the chains to handle the shock loads. These chains also use solid bushings and rollers that allow for extended wear life.”
In search of a portable vehicle weighing system
Weighbridges are a big investment, time-consuming to construct, and difficult, if not impossible, to transport elsewhere. To conquer this, NWI Group has developed the SPT-28.
IQA Young Members enjoy rare visit to construction materials sites
Members of the IQA’s South Australian Young Members Network have recently had a rare opportunity to view two key businesses at work: Penrice Quarry and the Adelaide Brighton Cement manufacturing plant.