Thermographic monitoring and computer vision analyzing the shell of an operating grinding mill to detect abnormal heat patterns while maintenance specialists review equipment condition in real time.
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Thermal Vision for Mill Reliability

Revealing hidden mill-shell anomalies through thermographic monitoring and computer vision while critical grinding equipment remains in operation.
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The most expensive problems are often the ones developing out of sight.
WHY THIS "MILL-RELIABILITY" CHALLENGE?
Direct inspection can require stopping the mill and entering the asset, while liner detachments, damaged bolts, and seal failures may progress between scheduled inspections. Thermal behavior creates another source of evidence, visible while the equipment is still operating.
Key benefits
Heat can become an early maintenance signal

Thermographic monitoring helps maintenance teams distinguish normal variation from conditions that deserve targeted verification without waiting for the next shutdown.

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See beneath the shell without going inside

Gain external visibility of potential internal conditions during operation.

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Intervene on evidence, not suspicion

Identify thermal indicators linked to wear, detachment, leakage, or damaged bolts.

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Narrow the maintenance search area

Focus inspection and repair scopes where evidence is strongest.

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Use components with greater confidence

Support better timing for replacement, continued use, and shell-life decisions.

How NTT DATA helps

01
Establish the thermal baseline

Define capture locations, operating conditions, inspection frequency, and expected temperature patterns.

Engineer using a thermal camera to inspect a mill shell during operation, capturing temperature patterns to establish a baseline for condition monitoring and maintenance.
02
Compare what changes over time

Analyze temperatures across neighboring bolts, shell areas, and successive observations.

Overhead view of maintenance engineers analysing thermal data from a mill shell, comparing temperature patterns across bolts and adjacent areas during operation.
03
Separate normal heat from meaningful anomalies

Identify patterns associated with loose or damaged bolts, liner deterioration, and sealing problems.

A computer screen with a image identifying patterns associated with loose or damaged bolts
04
Make condition easy to interpret

Represent normal, warning, and critical zones in a digital shell integrity view.

An image identifiying normal, warning, and critical zones in a digital shell
05
Turn evidence into maintenance action

We don’t stop at anomaly detection. We translate findings into prioritized inspection and maintenance decisions.

Mining team using digital connectivity to improve safety, operational intelligence and autonomous mining operations.
hermal imaging reveals hidden heat patterns in mining operations
Proven impact
Hidden heat. Visible evidence. Better-timed maintenance.
Results that matter
The value lies in narrowing uncertainty before shutdown decisions are made.
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Surface earlier signs of deterioration

Thermal indicators reveal structural anomalies before direct inspection.

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Focus intervention precisely

Maintenance effort targets shell areas with the strongest evidence.

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Reduce exposure between inspections

Earlier visibility lowers the risk of undetected progression.

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Support asset-life decisions

Better timing can improve availability and component-life management.

See the signals that conventional inspection can miss.

Turn thermal evidence into smarter maintenance decisions.

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