“A mobile system for measurement of the geometry of mine shafts based on laser scanning technology”

The Regional Operational Program of Lubelskie Voivodeship 2007-2013

1. Enterprise and innovation

1.2 1.2 Investment grants for microenterprises

The main objective of this project is to build a mobile system for measurement of the geometry of mine shafts based on laser scanning technology and also on the positioning support systems of the inertial measurement unit for measurements inside shafts. The implementation of this system will revolutionize and streamline control measurements in mine shafts. This product will allow the applicant to expand its current operations and increase the competitiveness of the services provided. Measurements of geometry elements in mine shafts are now made using conventional mining surveying techniques. The major drawback of presently used measurement technology is that such measurements are highly time-consuming and also the fact that only selected characteristic elements of the shaft are measured. In effect, it involves the need to stop the operations in a given shaft for the time of carrying out measurements. For a given mining plant, it is highly onerous and means ineffective working time. Currently, as a result of measurements and calculations made the surveying teams have point-based information for selected characteristic elements of a shaft and related equipment.

The constructed system will be capable of making precise surveying measurements of the shaft geometry during the travel of the shaft cage. A characteristic feature of this system will also be its capability to process data and generate measurement results in a form ready to be used by the relevant departments of the mining plant (e.g. the surveying department, shaft operation department, and investment department). An advantage of such a measurement system is both the reduction in measurement time itself to a single travel of the shaft cage along the entire length of the shaft and the acquisition of quasi-continuous information (millions of points) on the shaft geometry obtained from the laser scanner operating in profiling mode. The obtained information will allow the safety of miners working there to be improved. This project will contribute to the achievement of the main objective of the Regional Operational Program of Lubelskie Voivodeship and thus the achievement of the objectives of the renewed Lisbon Strategy. The project also fits the Cohesion Policy objectives.

The project under implementation will contribute to:

• Maintaining a high rate of economic growth;
• Increasing the competitiveness of the Lublin region, which will lead to its faster economic growth;
• Focusing on overcoming the existing development barriers and on the foundations of modernization of the economic structure, taking into account the sustainable development principle;
• Creating conditions for competing at the national and European level;
• Enhancing the attractiveness of this region in Poland and abroad and improving the values of its major socio-economic indicators.

The specific objectives of this project are as follows:

• To increase the measurement infrastructure resources. By purchasing additional equipment, the applicant will be able to provide a wider range of specialist services that are performed in a shorter time.
• Due to the implementation of this project, the applicant will be unrivalled in the national market. In the first years, the applicant will gain a great advantage in the surveying market.
• This additional service in the Company’s offer will allow it to attract new customers.

The qualitative objectives:

• The possibility to install this system on shaft cages in any type of shaft – mobility of the system;
• The possibility to operate during the movement of the shaft cage – mobile operation;
• The possibility to model and design shaft reinforcement elements;
• Short time of operation in the shaft – no need to stop the mining operations for the time of carrying out measurements;
• Acquisition of quasi-continuous information on the geometry of the structure – complete documentation of the condition of the shaft;
• Improved safety of people working in mine shafts – quick verification of the technical condition.

This measurement system will revolutionize and streamline control measurements in mine shafts. The constructed system will be able to make precise surveying measurements of the shaft during the movement of the shaft cage. The advantage of this system will be a short measurement time, comprehensive measurement, and a huge amount of data acquired compared to conventional measurement methods.