Metso Outotec launches an innovative tool forinspecting mill linings in virtual reality

Metso Outotec is launching a Virtual Inspectiontool for horizontal grinding mill linings. The new, patented VirtualInspection platform takes the benefits of 3D scanning to a new level, enabling thescanned mill linings to be viewed in virtual reality and offering an efficientand safe environment for technical discussions.

‘On-site’ mill lining inspections can be safelyhosted while being off-site, thanks to the fully immersive virtual walkthroughsand the ability to comprehensively review any particular point of the milllining. The Virtual Inspection tool aligns perfectly with Metso Outotec’saftermarket digital strategy by improving the efficiency and safety of theirservices through advanced wear-part analyses.

“Our patented MillMapper™ 3D-scanningof mill linings has been the industry benchmark for years. The scans areused to understand the way the mill liners wear, to optimize the liner design,and to accurately predict the reline schedules. There is a growingneed to find new ways to reach out to our customers and to discuss milllining performance with them remotely. Our customers will benefit from ourstrong experience with over 8,000 mills worldwide combined with themarket’s most comprehensive offering and the new software platform,”says Lars Furtenbach, Research and Technology Development Manager, MillLining Solutions.

• The users enter a 360° environment wherethey can move about freely in a 3D virtual setting and interact with the milllining scan to analyze it.

• Our customers get to see their ownindividual lining scans.

• Up to eight people can meet in virtualrooms to discuss a mill lining scan.

• Features like remaining liner thicknessmeasurements and profile review enable the users to make real-time assessmentsof the liners. The color-coded heatmap mode helps in analyzing the wearpatterns and in detecting problem areas, so that the mill lining design andperformance can be improved.

• Viewing the scans in virtual reality isthe next best thing to an actual site visit. This reduces the need to travel tothe site and to make inspections in a risky environment, thereby improvingsafety and reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, the tool promotes the creationof optimized and long-lasting liners that significantly reduce CO2 emissionsbecause less product needs to be manufactured and transported.