Australasian Mine Safety is the leading voice for all key decision makers within Mining company's and major contractors. Delivering the latest industry news as it breaks.
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122 The Australasian Mine Safety Journal Summer 2011/12 Products and services banner LIGHTING INNOVATIONS Hella's up in highlights Hella is one of the most widely recognised brands in the world. Mining target group manager Lachlan Scott said more than a century down the track, Hella's head office is still based in the small German town of Lippstadt. A It has been in the spotlight since 1899, when it was launched as a specialist factory for lamps, cornets and fittings for bicycles, carriages and cars. But he said there are now more than 22,000 employees in 35 countries. "Most of what we now regard as normal requirements for safe and reliable vehicle lighting is the outcome of Hella research and development initiatives," Scott said. "Taken the past decade, in that time Hella Australia has been the global leader in mining work light and beacon development," he said. "In 2002 Hella Australia began its Mining Centre of Excellence to research how the mining environment impacts on lighting products. "A two-year project saw data gathered from around the world to provide an accurate and time-relevant understanding of the abuse modern vehicle and fixed-lighting products endure. "The data collected included vibration, humidity, shock, temperature and air quality, just to name a few. "The research is still ongoing and Hella strives to ensure it keeps the business, and its clients, ahead of any changes discovered to ensure our products hold up in the worst circumstances." Scott said the outcome of this environmental analysis has been cutting-edge products designed to withstand the most extreme of environments. He said Hella is now releasing the highest-quality LED work lamp – the AS 5000LED – to the market. The AS 5000LED worklamp will ensure the longest life and highest reliability is achieved. Which in turn ensures downtime and maintenance intervals are the best achievable of any LED work light currently available. "The development process draws on more than 100 years of lighting knowledge, which not only sets us apart in the market but provides a benchmark so our products maintain the high standards for which Hella is know, and trusted," Scott said. "Throughout the development process, extensive validation testing is completed so we are confident the final product will outperform the end-user's expectation," he said. nd while light is it core business, the story has become so much bigger and the product range much more diverse. "Along with internal validation in our laboratory, a number of field trials, in the harshest mining environments, have seen the AS 5000LED match our demanding expectations – and far exceed those of our users. "To ensure our understanding of end-user requirements is accurate, our engineering team is always in touch with the companies and the people using our products in the field. "They spend time in all manner of mining environments to gain the best understanding so they can apply this knowledge to new product developments." That includes maintenance areas as well as production front – both above and below ground. Through speaking with operators, and understanding the issues faced with poor-quality lighting products, Scott said their knowledge was second to none for lighting products. He said Hella also conducted training academies where key mining personnel were shown the benefits of the Hella mining lighting program. "Participants leave with an in-depth awareness of how a good lighting package can not only increase safety on mine sites but also cut operator fatigue and boost productivity through reduced maintenance and downtime," Scott added. "In addition to Hella's experience in mobile lighting applications, we have also developed a range of high-end fixed plant lighting products targeted at mining and hazardous area infrastructure," he said. "Products in this range employ advanced engineering techniques we have created to keep the nasties, such as dust and water ingress, away from the critical components. "At the same time we have retained ease-of- serviceability for maintenance personnel. "Hella has just released its first edition fixed lighting catalogue, dedicated to this product line. "For more information, please contact your local Hella representative." Scott said Hella offers its end users an advanced- applications engineering service, which ensures its products are installed in the most efficient and user-friendly manner. By utilising accurate simulation software to determine how light will behave in the most complex environments, "our partners receive a detailed report clearly outlining how to get the most out of their purchase". Hella leaves nothing to chance – or in the dark.