Building TRUST Through Real-Time Undercarriage Monitoring
In mining, conditions shift in an instant. A sudden change in ground moisture, temperature, or wear can ripple through operations, causing downtime, safety concerns, and costly repairs. ITM Group answers this challenge with TRUST ITM sensors, a cutting-edge solution designed to monitor undercarriage components in real time and translate data into actionable insights for operators, maintenance teams, and site managers.
The TRUST ITM system embodies a shift from reactive checks to proactive, data-driven maintenance. By embedding sensors into ITM-manufactured parts such as rollers and track chains, the technology continuously records critical parameters, including temperature and wear. Data is displayed in the operator’s cabin and transmitted to a cloud platform via a gateway for centralized monitoring and analysis. This dual-view approach helps ensure that the right person sees the right information at the right time, reducing the window of uncertainty on the mine floor.
Why Real-Time Data Builds Trust on Site
Trust in mining operations hinges on visibility — knowing not only what just happened, but what might happen next. TRUST ITM turns raw sensor readings into meaningful predictions. The ability to monitor temperatures helps prevent overheating, a leading indicator of potential component failure. Real-time wear data supports predictive maintenance, enabling planned interventions rather than emergency repairs. For operators, this means fewer unplanned stoppages, optimized machine usage, and safer workflows since workers are less often required to approach heavy machinery solely to perform manual checks.
ITM Mining emphasizes that data-driven decisions are safer and more efficient. With accurate wear and temperature metrics, site teams can schedule maintenance precisely when needed, extending undercarriage life and reducing overall ownership costs. In a demanding environment, where unplanned downtime can cascade into missed production targets, the value of reliable, timely data cannot be overstated.
A Flexible, Field-Proven Solution
TRUST ITM sensors are designed for adaptability across crawler machines — from dozers to excavators and drills — and across multiple manufacturers. The Australian arm of ITM, ITM Mining, integrates on-site undercarriage inspections, track frame refurbishments, and remote monitoring into a coherent service ecosystem. The sensors’ placement within rollers and track chains enables the monitoring system to capture internal temperatures and wear patterns that external sensors might miss.
Beyond undercarriage monitoring, ITM’s magnetic sensors in the Trust Mobile Kit broaden the technology’s reach. This expansion enables data collection on a wider range of critical components, providing a versatile platform for monitoring various parts of mining equipment. ITM also offers wear measurement functionality testing and ongoing development to further enhance system capabilities.
From Field to Cloud: How Data Reaches Operators
A key strength of TRUST ITM is its seamless data pipeline. Sensor data is available in the cabin for immediate decision-making and is also sent to a cloud-based system for centralized oversight. Operators, site supervisors, and ITM specialists can access data remotely via TrackAdvice software or a mobile app designed for field operations. For clients seeking deeper integration, ITM provides API-based interfaces to incorporate TRUST ITM data into existing maintenance software, ensuring compatibility with established workflows.
Immediate alerting is another critical feature. If a sensor detects abnormal temperatures or unusual wear, ITM personnel are notified promptly to coordinate on-site inspections, installation adjustments, and expert troubleshooting. This proactive approach strengthens trust between equipment owners and service providers by demonstrating a clear commitment to safety and uptime.
Safety and Efficiency: The Core Outcomes
Safety gains are central to TRUST ITM. By eliminating some manual temperature checks and reducing the need for workers to approach hot or moving machinery, the system minimizes exposure to hazards. Efficiency follows as predictive maintenance reduces idle time, optimizes maintenance windows, and extends the life of undercarriage components. As Nicolas Moretti, ITM’s digital innovation manager, notes, data-driven solutions are foundational to modern mining safety and efficiency.
Ultimately, TRUST ITM reflects ITM Group’s seven years of research, development, and collaboration with OEMs to deliver a reliable, field-tested solution. The result is a trusted technology that miners can rely on to keep operations running smoothly, even in the harshest environments.
