TRUST ITM sensors are rising to meet a growing demand for real-time undercarriage component monitoring for mining equipment.
Mine site conditions can change on a dime, and that means quick thinking is needed to keep operations running smoothly.
But without access to all relevant information, workers risk making uninformed decisions that could have long-term safety consequences.
Through the power of data, ITM Group is aiming to shine a light on a largely unseen side of mining: equipment undercarriages.
Well known in the industry for its undercarriage components, ITM Group has spent years researching, developing and collaborating with its global network of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to deliver the latest product developments to the mining, construction, utility, forestry, road-building and agriculture industries.
The ITM Group product range covers all crawler machine types, such as dozers, excavators, shovels and drills, across multiple manufacturers and applications. The company’s Australian division, ITM Mining, specialises in undercarriage systems for resources-specific heavy fixed and mobile equipment.
“Apart from supplying high-quality ITM-manufactured undercarriage systems and components, we also service our customers through our track shop services and track frame refurbishments programs,” ITM Mining product support manager Shane Skipper told Safe to Work.
“We provide on-site undercarriage inspections to our customers on the mine sites, and we provide custom or special projects to assist our customers with their unique requirements.
“Our customers here in Australia are also seeing the benefits of remote monitoring with our TRUST ITM technology.”
TRUST ITM sensors were developed to meet the growing demand for the real-time monitoring of undercarriage components in the mining industry. The sensors continuously collect data during machine operation, which is displayed in the cabin for the operator and transmitted to a cloud platform via a gateway, enabling centralised monitoring and data analysis.
ITM Mining provides customers with on-site product installation, training and ongoing support for TRUST ITM.
“The sensors are embedded within ITM-manufactured parts, such as rollers and track chains, to measure critical parameters like temperature and wear,” ITM Group smart technology solutions business unit manager Mattia Ruggeri told Safe to Work.
“The goal was to enable predictive maintenance, reduce unplanned downtime, and enhance safety and operational efficiency.”
Key applications for the technology include monitoring temperature to prevent overheating and supporting data-driven maintenance strategies.
In addition, using magnetic sensors provided in the company’s Trust Mobile Kit can expand TRUST ITM’s range of applications to other machine components beyond the undercarriage, providing a versatile solution for monitoring a variety of critical parts.
ITM is also undertaking wear measurement functionality testing, with the aim of further enhancing the system’s capabilities in the near future.
To help the system integrate smoothly and continue providing value to customers, ITM personnel are also notified immediately of any TRUST ITM alerts on the machines, allowing product managers and technical experts to notify the customer and rectify issues.
Skipper personally visits customers to demonstrate the system in action, supervise the installation of TRUST ITM gateways, provide training and troubleshooting, and assist customers with further requirements.
“TRUST ITM sensors significantly improve safety by removing the need for manual temperature checks on-site,” Skipper said.
“In mining environments, this eliminates the need for personnel to approach heavy machinery to monitor components, reducing exposure to potentially hazardous situations.”
ITM Mining is a firm believer that efficiency is enhanced through predictive maintenance.
By monitoring wear and operating conditions in real-time, ITM Group smart technology solutions digital innovation manager Nicolas Moretti told Safe to Work that operators can avoid unexpected failures, schedule maintenance only when necessary, and extend the lifespan of undercarriage components.
“Data-driven solutions are the foundation of modern mining safety and efficiency,” Moretti said. “TRUST ITM helps reduce machine idling time by providing precise data that enables operators to optimise machine usage and maintenance intervals, improving overall operational efficiency.”
TRUST ITM sensors are designed to be highly adaptable, offering flexibility to suit various customer needs.
Data collected by the sensors can be accessed remotely via ITM’s TrackAdvice software or through a mobile app for field operations.
ITM offers customisation options for customers who wish to integrate TRUST ITM data into their own maintenance software.
“As the proprietary owner of the TrackAdvice software, ITM can provide application programming interface-based integration or use other tools that have been successfully implemented for different clients,” Skipper said.
“This ensures seamless compatibility with existing systems while maintaining robust data management and analysis capabilities.”
One of the key differentiators of TRUST ITM technology is its patented components, which can measure the internal temperature of undercarriage parts.
Skipper emphasised that this unique capability allows malfunctions to be detected much earlier than external temperature measurements, providing operators critical time to address issues before they escalate.
“TRUST ITM technology represents the culmination of seven years of rigorous testing and development, positioning ITM as a pioneer in this field,” he said.
“Our extensive experience ensures a reliable, proven solution that meets the demands of even the harshest mining environments.”
This feature appeared in the July–August edition of Safe to Work.