Orica
Tough enough for a mine site. Simple enough to install, maintain and scale.
Proven in the field. Ready to take on more machines and more mine sites.
Better blast data. Better decisions, from the blast through to processing.
The Brief
Our relationship with Orica Digital Solutions goes back more than eight years, when we developed the original FRAGTrack™ hardware. We’ve been their manufacturing partner ever since, supporting a product now deployed on mine sites worldwide.
FRAGTrack gives miners a clear picture of how their blasts performed, helping them improve future blasts and everything that happens after. The original had proven itself in the field, but technology had moved on, and so had the opportunities. Orica had spotted new applications the product couldn’t support, along with new technology that could do more in a more efficient package.
So we partnered with Orica and Syndetic to build on what worked and make FRAGTrack tougher, more capable and easier to scale. The next generation needed to work on excavators, front-end loaders, face shovels and fixed plant. It also had to be easy to install, commission and maintain anywhere in the world, and designed for repeatable manufacturing at volume.
Challenges & Opportunities
The Challenges
Extreme conditions. Exceptional reliability.
Mine sites are unforgiving. Dust, water, impacts, constant vibration and extreme temperatures are part of everyday operation. FRAGTrack Gen 4 had to handle all of it and keep delivering reliable results.
One design. Multiple applications.
Different machines come with different installation challenges. We needed a common design that could be configured for each application without creating a whole new product every time.
Simple to install. Anywhere in the world.
These systems are deployed globally, often in remote locations with limited technical support, so installation and commissioning had to be intuitive. Connections, indicators and service access needed to be straightforward, to cut down on mistakes whatever the language or location.
Engineered for production.
Making a product that works is one thing. Making one that can be built efficiently, consistently and at scale is another. Manufacturing, assembly, quality control and long-term reliability all had to be considered from the outset.
Our Approach
Bringing the right expertise together.
Building the next generation of FRAGTrack was a team effort. It combined Orica’s mining technology expertise, Syndetic’s electronics development and Design Anthology’s industrial design, engineering, integration and manufacturing experience. Together, we packed new technology into a more compact, versatile and robust product, while making it simpler to install, service and produce.
More capability. More flexibility.
New technology meant we could add more functionality to the same product. We rethought the physical layout, how the components fit together and the modular design, to make room for new technology, interchangeable lenses and different mounting options. The result lets Orica take its digital solutions into a wider range of mining applications.
Designed to make life easier.
We looked at the whole life of the product, from manufacturing and assembly through to installation, operation and maintenance. Better sealing, thermal management, intuitive connections, simpler assembly and fewer dirt traps make it easier to build, install and look after. That means fewer service calls and fewer trips to equipment in difficult or hazardous locations.
Built to scale.
Manufacturing was part of the design from day one. The product supports different manufacturing processes and volumes, with a pathway from machined parts to pressure die casting as demand grows. Production can scale without a redesign.
A product that reflects the technology inside.
FRAGTrack is sophisticated mining technology, and the hardware needed to look the part. We created a compact, purposeful and tough design that reflects the quality of what’s inside. No unnecessary complexity. Just a product that looks, feels and performs like premium mining equipment.
The Results
FRAGTrack™ Gen 4 builds on years of proven performance, adding new technology backed by practical design and manufacturing know-how. Working closely with Orica Digital Solutions and Syndetic, we’ve helped create a rugged, reliable product that opens up new possibilities for FRAGTrack and is ready to keep evolving.
Good Design Award winner.
FRAGTrack Gen 4 was named a winner at the 2026 Good Design Awards, in the Product: Commercial and Industrial category.
Proven technology, ready for more.
FRAGTrack Gen 4 is a rugged, modular product built to support the continued growth of Orica’s digital mining solutions.
One design, more applications.
It works on excavators, loaders, face shovels and fixed plant, so Orica doesn’t need a different product for each one.
Easier to install and look after.
Plug and play connectivity, clear service access and fewer dirt traps make it simpler to install, commission and maintain, even in remote locations.
Tested for the real world.
Mechanical analysis, dedicated test rigs, validation and design reviews gave us confidence it will perform in demanding mining environments.
Ready to scale.
An efficient assembly process and flexible manufacturing approach support repeatable production and higher volumes as demand grows.
Clearer blast data.
FRAGTrack shows mines how well their blasts broke up the rock, so they can fine-tune future blasts and make better downstream calls.
