Automatic Connections
Automatic connections are connections which are automatically calculated in GEOVIA MineSched and are based on the design. An automatic connection is created between two headings where the centreline of one heading starts from any position along the centreline of another heading, within the defined distance tolerance.
The headings in an automatic connection are referred to as primary
and secondary headings, where the secondary heading is the one that starts from any position along the primary heading.
Note: Connections define the association headings that do not join directly in the design. Connections do not add length to the connected headings.
All automatic connections are displayed in the Automatic connections data grid. You can use the data grid to set rules that define the behaviour of the connections. You can set rules to define:
- how far past the connection a primary heading must be mined before the secondary heading can start
- how far along the secondary heading mining must proceed before mining in the primary heading can resume
- how much time must pass after the connection point is reached before the secondary heading can start
- how much time must pass after the connection point is reached before mining in the primary heading can resume
The rules you set up for the connections are honoured regardless of heading priorities and resource allocations.
You can set individual or global rules for automatic connections.
Columns in the Automatic Connections Data Grid
| Column |
Description |
| Active |
- Selected: The values you enter in the rest of the fields in the data grid are honoured.
- Cleared: The values you enter in the rest of the fields in the data grid are ignored. The connection is still honoured.
|
| Primary heading |
Display only. The heading that must be partially or completely mined before mining can begin on the Secondary heading. |
| Length |
The length from the start point of the Primary heading to the position on the primary heading that is closest to the start point of the Secondary heading.
Note: The length must be a positive value.
|
| Adjustment |
The distance, past the connection point, that must be mined along the Primary heading before mining can start on the Secondary heading. |
| Secondary heading |
The heading on which mining can start only when the Primary heading is partially or completely mined. |
| Opening length |
The length along the Secondary heading that must be mined before mining can start again on the Primary heading. |
| Primary delay |
The delay, in days, after the connection plus any Adjustment before which mining can start again on the Primary heading.
Note: Regardless of whether the Opening length along the secondary heading has already been mined, the Primary heading is not mined again until after the Primary delay has passed.
|
| Secondary delay |
The delay, in days, after the connection plus any Adjustment before mining can start in the Secondary heading. |
| Comments |
Any notes you want to make about the connection. |
The Automatic connections data grid has a unique icon, the Automatic Connection Options icon. When you select this icon the Automatic Connections form appears. The settings you select on the Automatic Connections form are global for the entire design.
Fields on the Automatic Connections Form
| Field |
Description |
| Tolerance |
The distance within which MineSched searches for a heading.
This value should be high enough to stop incorrect start points appearing in the design, but not so high that headings that are not meant to be connected become connected.
You can type a value into the field, or use the slider to select the tolerance.
|
| Shorten headings |
- Selected: The secondary heading start point is moved to the position at which the secondary heading intersects the profile of the primary heading. Shortening the secondary heading accounts for the part of the heading that is mined when the primary heading is mined. Selecting Shorten headings changes the length, volume, and mass of the secondary heading.
- Cleared: The length of the secondary heading is not changed.
|
| Adjust length values |
Note: This check box becomes available only when the Shorten headings check box is selected.
- Selected: The length at which events occur along a heading are adjusted for the change in the starting point of the heading. The length at which each event occurs is the original length minus the length by which the heading is shortened.
- Cleared: The length at which events occur along a heading are not adjusted for the change in the starting point of the heading.
|
See also