Hytec South Africa has developed a new app that simplifies the inspection and servicing reporting processes for its customers. The ‘Smart Inspection” app enables inspection and service reports for hydraulic systems to be completed via cell phone or tablet and emailed to the relevant Maintenance or Section Engineer in real time.

The app has a number of useful functionalities that enable engineers, foremen and service technicians to reduce downtime by scheduling service intervals, managing maintenance and assessing the quality of mine equipment. An addition to Hytec’s Smart Inspection, is the application of QR codes on components and hydraulic systems that allow identification of the asset, access to the specs of the system as well as detailed history of work done.

Each hydraulic system in a mine can be fitted with a QR code, which carries the technical data and schematics for that system. A technician scans the QR code using the Smart Inspection app, and can then select the appropriate checklist, i.e. inspection or service sheet. Once this has been completed, the app calculates the inspection outcome and generates a report, with a risk analysis included. The results are then emailed directly to the responsible engineer.

“This app enables our customers to make use of ‘live’ reporting to assess the state of hydraulic equipment much faster than was possible with the manual inspection and service books method,” and make quicker informed decisions for emergency repairs or planned maintenance, explains Ralph Palphramand, Regional Manager, Bosch Rexroth North West Region.

Hytec South Africa collaborated with Bosch Mining to develop the required web-based software. Smart Inspection app has been in use since early 2020 and has been a welcomed addition to Hytec South Africa’s value add service offering.