YieldPoint successfully installs DETECT for monitoring the ramp at Mine DOYON.

DigiSlougher:

YieldPoint introduces the Digislougher, the most reliable and accurate sloughmeter available on the market. The DigiSlougher uses a patented tri-state output signal to discriminate between Normal (intact), Short and Open conditions: Download the spec sheet here.

Enhancements to DestinyIP

Several of our customers asked us how to decode the modbus messages shown in DestinyIP. In response, we have added  a Modbus interpreter. Furthermore we have built an interface so that the user can click on any slave and review the latest data. The updated DestinyIP can be downloaded here.

QuadPlucker

QuadPlucker  .  Yieldpoint has developed a version of the  DigiPlucker that can accept 4 VW sensors (each with 3k thermistor and VW element). An array of 12 opto-relays provides the required multiplexing while also improving  resilience to electrical transients for networked arrays. The QuadPlucker  is competitively priced ($625ea). The QuadPlucker can be interfaced with  SLUG data-loggers to provide a very low cost data-logging solution for VW sensor arrays. Call for more details.

DETECT 1EX

DETECT 1EX The DETECT 1EX is a 1 point extensometer that can be grouted into a borehole instead of using a mechanical GMM. Effectively the instrument is a PERMANENT GMM. This is extremely convenient if (i) a crew is already grouting rock support or (ii) a low cost but highly secure long term installation is required.

DETECT 3CAB and 4CAB for South Mine

INCO’s South Mine commissions DETECT cables and extensometers for sill monitoring.

YieldPoint is pleased to announce the appointment of Geo-Engineering Technology  Ltda based in Santiago, Chile as YieldPoint’s S. American distributor.  GeoE-Tech have the geotechnical expertise to help S. American mine operators  design, implement and interpret geotechnical instrumentation programs.  For further information and pricing contact:

Carlos Toledo

Technical Manager

Geo-Engineering Technology  Ltda.

Phone: 56-2-7144200

Fax: 56-2-7144230

www.geoe-tech.cl

• YieldPoint ships instrumentation consisting of 40 SPECTRE GMMs and 18 MPBXs to Seismogen CC for installation at EZULWINI project. The instrumentation will be monitored using an extensive DESTINY system comprising  7 Master and 19 Slaves.

• USB SLUG download cable now available.

All YieldPoint Software has been tested to run successfully with Windows Vista!

• 2 mines, CANTUNG and MOUSKA have abandoned their old VW readout units to use a DigiPlucker and MIU. This enables them to read GMMs, Extensometers and Tiltmeters using the same low cost readout unit.

• BlueNote Mining orders SPECTRE GMMs for monitoring wedge stability at its CARIBOU mine.

YieldPoint Ships first DETECT cablebolts to Mine DOYON

• YieldPoint offers a new hardened Manual Interrogation Unit (MIU).

• CANTUNG Mine (NWT) orders a Digiplucker for reading its array of VW stress meters. The mine can now read its stressmeter and DETECT GMMs using the same readout Unit.

• YieldPoint introduces the DETECT Cable Bolt. The device is significantly different from the its competitor products. Major advantages are:

1. The DETECT cable is significantly more accurate

2. It provides a load directly in tonnes so that it can be used with alarm type systems

3. The load can be zeroed  after installation

• MOUSKA MINE buys Digipluckers and DESTINY System to upload data from its VBS-2 stressmeter array on levels 11-13.

• On The recommendation of Golder Associates  NVIs  MYRA FALLS mine buys  MPBXs and SLUG data-loggers.

YieldPoint’s newest state-of-the art GMM uses SPECTRE (Sonic Pulse Extensometer/Contractometer Technology for Rock Engineering) technology to produce a high precision digital instrument comprising a non-contact displacement sensor and digital temperature sensor.  More…

DESTINY  is an RS485 networking system that enables data from all types of digital and analog sensors to be transmitted over long distances and interfaced with existing mine-wide communications infrastructure such as: Ethernet running TCP/IP, leaky feeder wireless and other  RS485 industrial networks running a variety of serial protocols. One version of the DESTINY Master can even transmit data over a single channel of an ESG seismic system. The system also provides solutions for local readout from the network using BlueTooth® enabled PDA type devices and data-loggers. More…

SeismoGen c.c. is now YieldPoint’s South African distributor. Tony Ward, who  runs Seismogen, has 24 years in the Deep Level Mining (South Africa – Western Deep Levels) now known as AngloGold Ashanti.  The first 7 years were in the Production Section and then he got involved in Rock Engineering where he practiced as a Senior Rock Engineer.

Tony also has extensive experience with seismic monitoring. He also has extensive experience with commissioning conventional instrumentation such as Closure meters, Extensometers, Load cells, Tilt meters  and Shock loggers

YieldPoint Inc. now offers a low cost (Introductory Price $225) interface for VW (500Hz-5500Hz Pluck and Listen, e.g. Roctest’s VBS-2 stress cell) sensors. The interface enables YieldPoint’s MIU, SLUG data-loggers, and DESTINY networking devices to read, store and transmit data from VW sensors for a more reasonable cost than alternative solutions. more

YieldPoint Inc. has redesigned the packaging for its Manual Interrogation Unit (MIU). The unit has been reduced to about the size of an MP3 player and fits easily in a pocket. The latest MIU comes loaded with DESTINY MIU V.3.0 firmware. The Unit retails for $250 and existing MIU users can upgrade for only $150.

YieldPoint introduces SPECTRE-GMM, an innovative GMM (Ground Movement Monitor) based on state-of-the-art SPECTRE (Sonic Pulse Extensometer/Contractometer Technology for Rock Engineering), which is the most stable and accurate single point technology available for ground monitoring. The instrument is available in stroke lengths up to 250 mm (10 inches).  The instrument uses a non-contact technology that enables it to be hermitically sealed and therefore submerged indefinitely or installed in backfill. The price of the sensor is $285ea. 

Toronto Rocks!

Dr. A. Hyett will be presenting the paper entitled “Digital Instrumentation Systems for Geotechnical Monitoring Systems” on Tuesday April 26^th at 11.00 am. The paper will introduce YieldPoint’s Digital strategy for geotechnical instrumentation.

1. Good Vibrations. YieldPoint has developed a very low cost add-on module to read vibrating wire instruments (e.g. VBS-2 stress cells) with the MIU and SensorSync modules, and any Yieldpoint Datalogger (SLUG and SLUG-4).

2. YieldPoint has been working with ESG Limited of Kingston Ontario to enable “live” instrumentation data to be sent across the HMSi Integrated seismic monitoring System. The technology will be tested at the site of the industrial partner who initiated this on-going project.

3. SLUG-4. A 4 instrument version of the SLUG data-logger will be available in February. The price is projected to be <$400, so providing up to 100 days of uninterrupted data-logging for 4 instruments from a pair of  9 volt batteries for less than $100/instrument - that’s as little as $10/channel. (All prices in $CND)

4. YieldPoint will present the paper entitled “Innovative Digital Instrumentation for Geotechnical Monitoring Systems” at the ME/MO conference in Sudbury, Ontario. 4.00-4.30 February 21^st 2005.

The starter kit includes everything needed to start using YieldPoint's digital sensor products: 2 GMM's, 1 MIU Readout Box, 1 SLUG Datalogger, and the Demo Verison of the MineScape Database. The MIU and SLUG are usable with any type of YieldPoint sensorTo order please email sales@yieldpoint.com

Presented at the 2nd International Symposium on Narrow Vein Deposits, Val D’Or, 2004. Download here.

YieldPoint launches microSPECT (micron Scale Precision Eddy Current Transducer), a high precision digital strain-gauge that can monitor either discrete displacements (i.e. crack opening) or distributed strains (i.e. stretch of a steel member) to either mm or me resolutions (depending on base-length). It is suitable for monitoring individual cracks, structures, steel elements and bolts, as well as a wide range of civil structures such as bridges and dams.

The inherently digital form of the output signals eliminates the necessity for expensive analog-to-digital conversion and results in low cost readout unit that outputs data in real world units (mm and ^oC). Readings can also be made directly with a PALMOS device (see SENSORSYNC) or routed directly to the digital channels of a PLC. Solutions using microSPECT  typical cost less than 50% those of competing products on the market. more

PDA’s offer convenience and efficiently for the collection of underground data, but they  are not designed to withstand the rigors of the underground environment. YieldPoint’s SensorSync module which allows a PDA to directly read data from our digital sensors is now incorporated in a rugged PDA enclosure. Make your PDA and its data crush-proof, water-proof and dust-proof.

MineScape is a PC-based environment for the collection, storage, presentation and distribution of data from geotechnical instruments. It combines a versatile database engine (based around Microsoft Access recordset objects) and a graphing module (using the GRAPH object familiar to users of Microsoft Excel) within a single integrated and user-friendly Windows based application. MineScape also incorporates the communication objects required to directly import data from peripheral devices such as the SLUG data-logger and Palm OS based SensorSync module. This enables the implementation of more automated methods of data collection, including remote wireless data collection. 

The SLUG datalogger can monitor the signal from analog GMM’s or any other 0-5 volt ratiometric voltage device using an In-the-Plug A/D converter. Resolution is 0.01mm or 10mm.  The In-the plug converter transforms the analog sensor into a digital sensor with all the associated advantages. The three wires from the sensor are screwed into the plug and can be monitored using the SLUG data logger or manually read using YieldPoint’s digital MIU (Manual Interrogation Unit).

YieldPoint has successfully demonstrated a wireless version of it’s SLUG datalogger. Wireless telemetry can be used to download stored data from the SLUG datalogger, over line-of sight ranges up to 100ft. Please contact us for evaluation samples.

ADICT (Analog-to-Digital Interface Compatibility Technology) is a low cost and minute (contained inside the plug) analog to digital converter for converting regular GMM (potentiometer) or any 0-5V output device to YieldPoint digital platform. Once converted, the signal can be transmitted over 1000ft without any effect of the lead-wire resistance. For standard GMM results are output directly in mm with 0.01mm(10m m) resolution.

YieldPoint introduces the SLUG (Sensor Logger for UnderGround) datalogger, the smallest most cost effective data collection solution available. Simply plug any YieldPoint Digital sensor into the SLUG and logging will continue for up to 100days for a single 9Volt alkaline battery. Data can be downloaded via a RS232 serial port to a PC, or to a PalmOS device. Single sensor and 4 sensor (SLUG-4) models are available.

CLICK HERE for more information.

YieldPoint’s revolutionary DETECTOR borehole extensometer, which provides reusable capability for the electronics (50 to 75% of the deployment cost) is available for customer evaluation. Contact us for samples.

YieldPoint wants new customers to discover first-hand how accurate, reliable and easy to use our digital instrumentation is compared to other products. Therefore we offer an introductory 10% reduction on our already extremely competitive list price to first-time customers. Another fact that prospective customers should be aware of is the low cost of our digital (MIU) manual interrogation unit ($325), which is all a mine needs to start using our instruments.

Dec 1/2002 - YieldPoint Launches website

YieldPoint has opened an  internet portal for it’s new DETECT and TEMP product-lines at www.yieldpoint.com.  A much wider array of instrumentation products will become available over the upcoming weeks.