Innovative Method of Non-Destructive Testing of Wire Ropes and Winding Equipment in Mines Vis-À-Vis Calibration of Defects

Abstract

This paper presents the details about Non-destructive testing methods for evaluation of condition of winding equipment used in mining industry. Available statutory provisions related to safety of the winding equipment such as Drum shaft, Brake Tie rods, pins etc., are presented. Non-destructive testing (NDT) on various components of the winding and other mining machinery related to coal and metal mining sectors has been conducted by various organizations. Procedures followed for Ultrasonic and Magnetic Particle testing are also discussed. Case study related to a typical mine winding equipment of underground mine is presented along with the salient findings of the NDT tests. This paper also illustrates the details about calibration of defects; wear and broken wires by electromagnetic method in a wire rope used for hoisting of men and material in mines, aerial rope ways, lifts etc. Electromagnetic method of testing the wire ropes consists of powerful magnets to magnetize the wire rope, and sensors to detect the defects in the wire ropes. A typical instrument used in the investigation consists of the inner coil to detect the local defects like corrosion, pitting, broken wire, wear and nicks. In the present study a method was adopted to simulate the magnitude of the defect signals of wear and broken wear by creating artificially in the laboratory, which can be used for analyzing the actual signals recorded during in-situ testing on wire ropes.