Project Argon
	We don’t guess – we measure

The development of mobile and static lighting solutions for applications in mining and associated industries requires a clear understanding of the operating systems and environmental conditions.

Project Argon is an ongoing and globally extending research program aimed at collecting data from a diverse range of mines and machinery to be used as the basis for creating product design and test specifications to satisfy the extreme demands of mining.

Key Objective
To obtain an expert knowledge base and understanding of the operating conditions our lighting solutions will be subjected to, thereby enabling the design of suitable products that provide clear benefits in use to our clients in mining and other ultra heavy-duty environments.

Data Logger
Hella Australia has developed a suite of robust sensors with integrated data logging instruments for mounting on mining plant and machinery. Once deployed, the data loggers record the operating conditions while the equipment works as usual. After the sensors have been recovered from the machines the collected data is downloaded for analysis. The data logger enclosures are rated IP68 and protected against impact damage by a heavy-duty steel cage.

Core Activities and Phases

• Project Design



• Data Collection
• Physical environment measurements
• Interviews with mining industry operational and design staff as well as management



• Data Analysis Workshop
• Analyse the data collected with the aim to create accelerated stress test procedures that will qualify products as suitable for applications in mining
• Analyse interview data in regards to design life expectancy, cost and safety aspects
• Technical conference and workshop to discuss and review collected information



• Drafting of design guidelines and product compliance forms



• Prototype testing and qualification