Mining mechatronics: 35 years of research and production at «Joint Power» company

This article examines the main areas of scientific and engineering activities at «Joint Power» Company, Ltd, and the development of mechatronic systems for new-generation mining excavators, drilling rigs, dump trucks, and dredgers. For AC electric drives, applied to a vector system with an observer based on an extended Kalman filter, methods have been developed for low-speed control, power limiting in the presence of weak power grids, and optimization of energy characteristics. Methods have also been developed for identifying the parameters of asynchronous machines with a locked rotor and the resistance of the overhead power line supplying the excavator. Mechatronic systems ensure high productivity, technical availability, and electromagnetic compatibility of mining equipment. The «Pulsar» information system provides diagnostics of machine components with intelligent data processing, recording of all processes and documentation of machine performance, and remote monitoring. Complete containerized transformer substations, distribution and switching points, equipped with microcontroller-based multifunctional control and protection systems, have been developed for power distribution and connecting mining machines to 6 kV and 10 kV power grids. Test equipment developed by the Company allows for the characterization of individual components: motors, converters, and controls, as well as electric drives, in various test modes. The design and implementation results of advanced automation and control systems for mining equipment are presented. Information on the company's industrial products is provided. 

Keywords: mining, mechatronics, electronics, automation, excavator, drilling rig, dump truck, dredger, monitoring, reliability, efficiency, safety.
For citation:

Malafeev S. I., Serebrennikov N. A. Mining mechatronics: 35 years of research and production at «Joint Power» company. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2026;(1):168-181. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_1_0_168.

Acknowledgements:
Issue number: 1
Year: 2026
Page number: 168-181
ISBN: 0236-1493
UDK: 621.316.7
DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_1_0_168
Article receipt date: 08.10.2025
Date of review receipt: 10.12.2025
Date of the editorial board′s decision on the article′s publishing: 10.12.2025
About authors:

S.I. Malafeev, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Chief Researcher; Professor, Vladimir State University named after A.G. and N.G. Stoletovs, Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, 600000, Vladimir, Russia, e-mail: simalafeev@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7691-3442, Scopus Author ID: 6603435892.
N.A. Serebrennikov1, General Director, e-mail: serebrennikov@jpc.ru,
1 «Joint Power» Co, Ltd, 111672, Moscow, Russia.

For contacts:

S.I. Malafeev, e-mail: simalafeev@gmail.com.

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