We build Electric Motors for Mining Machines

At Transvaal Electric Motors we specialise in building rotating electric motors almost exclusively, for but not limited to, coal mining machines. We design, build, service and maintain DC motors for mining and other industry requirements.

Some of the Mining Machines that use our AC and DC motors are:

 

Continuous Miner
9 motors manufactured

Continuous miners consist of a large rotating drum comprising steel and tungsten carbide teeth, a material with enough strength to scrape coal from the seam or face of the mine. Used in room and pillar mining operations, the mine is often divided into a series of rooms, usually 20 to 30 feet (6.1 to 9.1 m) in length. The continuous miner rotates the oscillating steel drum to cut a way designated sections of the coal bed. When the coal is extracted, a conveyor system is utilized to transport and load the coal from the seam.

One of the pioneering elements about the continuous miner is the speed and efficiency with which it operates. The typical continuous miner is capable of producing five tons of coal in a minute; more than a miner from the 1920s would be able to produce in a single day.

Continuous miners can be customized for any mining conditions: mounted on rubber tires or crawler tracks; and different sizes of drums and conveyor systems, depending on what is needed. Modern miners even include a self-diagnostics system.

The modern remote-controlled continuous miners feature ever-changing technology as the machine evolves. New technologies includes a proximity detection device that detects the proximity of the miner, developed to cut down on the hazards and fatalities that have occurred in the machine’s history. A red zone and visual indicator available by remote control is another feature that is improving the new miners. The indicator enables the operator to select a safe position from which to operate. Ref.1

 

 

AFC Amroured Face Conveyor
2 motors manufactured

To maintain a safe working environment powered supports have to be advanced sequentially. This is achieved by utilising an articulating Armoured Face Conveyor (AFC) which runs along the face with the shearer mounted on it. The AFC is made up of short sections, called pans, which allows it to "snake" along the face as the supports are progressively advanced. Each powered support is pinned into a pan. Pans are normally 1.5 metres long and in recent years 2 m long pans are made to accommodate the increased width of larger powered supports. The AFC is powered by drive units located either at the maingate or tailgate ends or at both ends. The chain is driven along the face by the use of a gear and sprocket arrangement that transports the coal at a speed in excess of 1 metre/second. However some face conveyors are running at speeds as high as 1.6 m/s. Generally, the power and capacity of AFC are reflected by the motor size, pan width and chain size. Ref.1 - Ref 2.

The coal is cut from the coalface by a machine called the shearer (power loader). This machine can weigh 75–120 tonnes typically and comprises a main body, housing the electrical functions, the tractive motive units to move the shearer along the coalface and pumping units (to power both hydraulic and water functions). At either end of the main body are fitted the ranging arms which can be ranged vertically up down by means of hydraulic rams, and onto which are mounted the shearer cutting drums which are fitted 40–60 cutting picks. Within the ranging arms are housed very powerful electric motors (typically up to 850 kW) which transfer their power through a series of lay gears within the body the arms to the drum mounting locations at the extreme ends of the ranging arms where the cutting drums are. The cutting drums are rotated at a speed of 20–50 revs/min to cut the mineral from coal seam. Ref.1

 

 

 

Freedom Car
2 motors manufactured

The Freedom™ Car is a cable-free shuttle car. The battery powered shuttle car eliminates cable handling and haulage route congestion, enabling the use of three or more cars in the mining cycle. This yields increased productivity and less maintenance and safety concerns. The car can handle full-shift operation and payloads up to 19mt. Built with a state-of-the-art traction controller and heavy duty frame construction, the car features a large operator compartment designed for optimum visibility and operator safety.

 

 

Shuttle Car
3 motors manufactured

The role of haulage equipment is to efficiently remove the cut material from the working face in such a manner so as to enhance the performance of the continuous miner and maximize the productivity of the overall section. Joy fully understands this role and proactively works with the mining industry to provide comprehensive “system” solutions to suit individual application needs. Ref.1

 

 

Feeder Breaker
1 motor manufactured

Trans Vaal Electric (TVE) is an electrical engineering company, founded in 1939 and engaged in the design, development, manufacture and repair of rotating electrical machines. Established to service the needs of the burgeoning coal mining and gold mining industries in South Africa in the late 1930’s the company is still one of the worlds leading manufacturers of AC cage induction motors and DC electric motors and generators for mining, railway transport and industrial applications. Custom built and standard range motors are offered in power outputs from one horsepower to nine hundred horsepower. The company manufactures electric motors used in a variety of applications in countries as diverse as South Africa, the USA, Australia and China.

 

 

Battery Hauler
3 motors manufactured

Trans Vaal Electric (TVE) is an electrical engineering company, founded in 1939 and engaged in the design, development, manufacture and repair of rotating electrical machines. Established to service the needs of the burgeoning coal mining and gold mining industries in South Africa in the late 1930’s the company is still one of the worlds leading manufacturers of AC cage induction motors and DC electric motors and generators for mining, railway transport and industrial applications. Custom built and standard range motors are offered in power outputs from one horsepower to nine hundred horsepower. The company manufactures electric motors used in a variety of applications in countries as diverse as South Africa, the USA, Australia and China.

 

 

Battery Scoop Vehicle
2 motor manufactured

Trans Vaal Electric (TVE) is an electrical engineering company, founded in 1939 and engaged in the design, development, manufacture and repair of rotating electrical machines. Established to service the needs of the burgeoning coal mining and gold mining industries in South Africa in the late 1930’s the company is still one of the worlds leading manufacturers of AC cage induction motors and DC electric motors and generators for mining, railway transport and industrial applications. Custom built and standard range motors are offered in power outputs from one horsepower to nine hundred horsepower. The company manufactures electric motors used in a variety of applications in countries as diverse as South Africa, the USA, Australia and China.