Normet underground equipment

In the design and implementation of mining equipment electrification and radio equipment, rapid response and adaptability are priorities. In cooperation between Normet and LAPP Finland companies the parties openly discuss how something can be improved - this benefits not only the parties but also the end customer.

LAPP together with Normet, have been designing and manufacturing mining and tunnelling equipment to meet customer needs since 2008. The cooperation started when Normet, a developer of complete technical solutions for underground mining and tunnelling, was looking for a competent and reliable supplier of radio controls and wire and cable harnesses for its mining machines.

Normet is a specialist in equipment for challenging conditions, with machines custom-built to meet the detailed needs of each customer. Adapting to customers' needs requires special expertise from a supplier of electrical and automation products.

No off-the-shelf solutions

The Hetronic radio controllers are designed entirely to Normet's specifications and requirements. The controller housing, fixtures and connections are made entirely with the application in mind, so that the product meets the requirements specified by the customer.

According to Kari Ulmanen, Normet's chief designer for control system components and electrical design, flexibility is a key factor in responding to customer requirements.

"In practice, our account managers respond to customer requests. There may be more than just the customer's own needs, such as changing emission regulations in the destination country. After listening to customer feedback, new solution specifications are drawn up," says Ulmanen.

Saving time and money with expertise

The actual product development is a detailed design process, outlining all the elements from the machine housing design to the necessary wiring harnesses. After the test runs and any changes identified, the machines move on to customer use, where they are often subject to final modifications. A completely final version is never produced, as virtually every machine order is tailored to the customer's needs.

The timeline for manufacturing a machine for demanding conditions is long - several months are spent in the specification phase before the basic design is started.

"In Normet's radio remote controls, customization of devices has been taken to a very advanced level, and machine-specific needs are taken into account very precisely. When designing a new machine model, drawings move back and forth, rather than just having a list of specs to work roughly with. The cooperation has worked well," says Juha Peri, Product Group Manager at Lapp Automaatio.

In the LAPP-Normet partnership, immediacy and trust are constant practices.

The very fact that a LAPP expert can easily visit Normet’s factory floor illustrates the strength of this partnership. Ulmanen characterizes the relationship as flexible and close, built on LAPP’s high reliability. "The fact that LAPP anticipates unexpected component demand from us shows their flexibility," Ulmanen notes. "We're happy to rely on them to handle our urgent needs."

This efficiency is backed by clear communication: plan changes, which sometimes have to happen quickly, are easy because LAPP ensures each unit has a defined contact person. Such adaptability is vital for the future, as the increasing number of automation and IoT solutions will require suppliers to support machines working autonomously.

Ulmanen praises the collaborative spirit that drives development: "Our communication remains open and continuous throughout the entire product development process. We greatly appreciate LAPP's feedback on our ideas and their proactive approach to exploring alternative design solutions. Ultimately, both parties benefit from making it easier to create different solutions."