Performance’s Analysis of the VIMS System in Order to Optimize the Durability and Reliability of the Mechanical Components of Rolling Stock: Case of a 785C Dumper

Abstract

The VIMS system, which was the subject of our study, is an autonomous system for the management, prevention and maintenance of Caterpillar machines. It is the synthesis of electricity, electronics and mechanics and has as its core an operating system developed and installed by Caterpillar with permanent updates. With the VIMS system, you can be sure to fully benefit from your investment (on a 785C dumper, for example, the value of which is estimated at approximately 1.2 billion FCFA), because the VIMS system warns and takes the necessary measures to prevent Components such as the engine do not break, which component of a 785C dumper cost around 700 million FCFA. Like any system that remains to be perfected, the VIMS system also has its weaknesses. Indeed, it is vulnerable to dust and humidity. These two phenomena generally cause it to lose the parameters and signals that the sensors must supply. However, remarkable efforts have been made by the dealer to protect the components of the VIMS system from the dusty environments in which their machines are used. In addition, the VIMS turns out to be a very complicated system and a real headache for “classic” mechanics and electricians. The evolution and complexity of production systems as well as the need to produce quickly and well, have forced manufacturers to structure and organize maintenance workshops. Above all, they created new organizational concepts and new ways of working with production equipment. Thus, this leads us to conduct a study on their performance in a real environment. The results show that the analysis of the performance of a VIMS system is an appropriate solution to eradicate weather-related failures on gold sites.