As good as new – meeting market demands for remanufacturing

The remanufacturing of key components on mining equipment is in increasing demand and Atlas Copco has responded by further developing these services at multiple locations around the world. At a time when mines are looking to increase availability at the same time as they need to keep costs down, remanufacturing has emerged as a valuable, short term option. Remanufacturing, not only of key components but even of entire products, offers important advantages for mining companies. For example:

having a single-source supplier to remanufacture the parts and support the product ensures quality workmanship and components

in many cases, remanufactured components come with the same warranties as new products or extended warranties

mines remain operational and productive and get more time to consider an investment in new equipment

the cost of remanufacturing is substantially lower than the cost of a comparable new product.

To meet the upward demand for these services, Atlas Copco Service is strengthening its remanufacturing capability at dedicated “reman” facilities.

The city of Garland in Dallas, Texas is the U.S. location for remanufacturing equipment components, and is also the base for the manufacture of Atlas Copco’s Pit Viper and DM drill rigs. The processes and procedures developed here serve as the standard for all other Atlas Copco reman centers around the world. The Garland Reman Center has come a long way since its startup in 2009. After a major expansion in 2012, the 3 700 m2 facility is now equipped with state-of-the-art tools and testing equipment. These include Atlas Copco’s industrial tools and hydraulic testing tools for all products after remanufacturing. In its five work bays the Center mostly remanufactures pumps and motors, but also rotary heads, airends, cylinders and drives. More than 180 spare parts are in stock to support component remanufacturing for hydraulic components alone. The next phase of the Center’s evolution will add repairing rock drills and remanufacturing axles and transfer cases, all with OEM parts to precise OEM specifications. When a major component needs remanufacturing, it first goes through a visual inspection by local certified technicians. A part that has a major failure such as a housing crack is not considered a candidate for remanufacturing. Once a component qualifies for remanufacturing, it is sent to Garland in purpose-built boxes.

Read the full story at Mining & Construction online.

Epiroc operated under the name "Atlas Copco" until January 1, 2018.