The Integrated CST Drive System (ICDS) is a development born from the long-running collaboration between Bucyrus and Baldor Electric Company and its predecessors.

Already 400 CST gearboxes have been delivered throughout the world since 1994. The first installation of the ICDS 1200 was in 2006 in the US.

The ICDS combines into a single unit the tried-and-tested CST drive system for face conveyors and a newly developed special Baldor Electric motor with Bucyrus’s PMC-D drive control system.

“More and more customers around the world have higher automation and control needs. With our ICDS system we are able to fulfil these raised needs for real power measurement and monitoring,” Bucyrus told International Longwall News.

The ICDS 1200 features a Baldor asynchronous motor with a rated power of 1.2kW (1650hp), and nominal motor running torque is 7.640Nm (5635lbft) at full nominal speed.

The maximum AFC starting torque (breakdown torque) is 3 x 19.100Nm (14,090lbft). Space is provided for integrated protected mounting of PMC-D controls and all necessary measuring devices. The power cable can be equipped with a Victor plug.

The system is capable of monitoring winding, bearing, conduit box and water inlet/outlet temperature and bearing vibration trending.

“In conventional systems, the electronics is distributed throughout the longwall, requiring substantial cabling. The fact that all elements are located directly at the motor means shorter cabling and higher quality of data and measurements,” Bucyrus said.