Network (Attach and Detach) Rules

In Rule Steps & Logic (Points) we looked at individually creating Points from the Source to the Destination. A major problem with this is that for every combination of Source and Destination you have to duplicate your work over and over again.

As there is usually an established set of roads at any mine site, Haulage Networks allow you to separate out your workload into Attach (Source) and Detach (Destination) Rules by connecting to the roads in between.

Setup an Attach/Detach Rule

When setting up a Network Type Rule the principles are the same for Attach and Detach. In this example, we'll look use an Attach Rule.

Firstly, a haul road network is created between the pits and the dumps using the final ramps (see Add Digitised Steps).

We can now create the Haulage Logic.

To setup an Attach Rule:

  1. Create a New Rule (right-click on the name of the Rule to Rename it - the Name should identify the Network Type of the Rule (see next step).

  2. On the Setup tab of the Haulage Rule dialog, select Attach Type as the Network Type for the Rule:

  1. Click on the Steps tab and select Network Attach Rule Logic.

  2. In the Network Attach dialog, specify the following parameters:

Description

(Optional) The Name of the Rule should be descriptive.

Minimum/Maximum Distance

This is the distance (shown by a blue circle around the pit or dump) if these values are changed, the radius of the circle changes in the Preview window.

If the radius falls short of the haul road network, an error message is displayed because "Could not find any network attach points" In other words, there is no road within that specified radius of the loading point. Therefore, the Maximum distance value needs to be increased.

This method is not only used to determine the distance to the haulage road but can also be used to setup the grade (see below).

Left/Right Bearing

The bearing at which the Truck needs to travel.

Minimum/Maximum Grade

When the distance circle is viewed in 3D section, you will see that the circle has a thickness and this is based on the Minimum and Maximum Grade values you enter. If the Maximum Grade is changed, the thickness of the circle is changed accordingly.

If staging or the pit is deep, the grade can be used to find the right line. In this example, if this is where our loading point is, the truck cannot use this network and must use the grade instead.

Segment Code

Segment Codes (defined on the Home tab, in the Setup group) are used to control how Rolling Resistance is set and controlled for different segments of roads.

Search Mode

Choose a Search Mode:

Check Network Connectivity

Once you have entered parameters click this button to check that a connection has been made between the Source/Destination point and the Haul Road.

Setup