Sandvik continues to move forward with its advanced automation offerings. The latest addition to the automation family is Sandvik AutoMine Surface Drilling for rotary drill rigs, with the release of the trailer-mounted tele-remote station for operation of a Sandvik DR461i rotary blast hole drill.
Sandvik AutoMine Surface Drilling technology enables mines to operate equipment from a remote operation center, or from the Sandvik AutoMine tele-remote command trailer. The remote station can be installed in a van, at a fixed control center, or on a portable self-powered trailer. The system can communicate via line of sight, direct to the drill, or via the mine communication network. The command center can accommodate up to three drills per station. One operator can start one hole, initiate the next drill to start another hole and then a third – ensuring that all units keep drilling with minimal delay, thereby optimizing mine productivity.
The easy-to-use GPS-based 3D navigation system provides hole accuracy within five centimeters, both for hole location and drilling depth, giving improved bench quality. The actual drilling data is immediately available in the command center, to be utilized in downstream processes.
“Field testing revealed improved drilling performance and a better working environment for the operator,” says Tab Siegrist, Product Line Manager, Surface Drills, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology. “Nighttime operation, using remote cameras and an LED lighting package, also helps to keep productivity high. Getting the operator away from the cab can also be beneficial from a safety perspective, due to unknown underground voids, high wall condition or other geotechnical concerns. Our tele-remote fleet option also provides increased efficiency, with one operator able to run up to three drills simultaneously, also reducing drilling variation and making the downstream process more efficient.”
The debut of Sandvik AutoMine Surface Drilling utilizes the improved autonomous capabilities for Sandvik DR461i drill rig, required for efficient tele-remote fleet utilization. This includes the latest versions of “autodrill” and auto level: providing more consistent control of drilling parameters will improve drilling results, with less premature wear on the drill feed and rotation systems. Improved uptime thanks to fewer breakdowns means more holes every year, and at lower cost. Another benefit of the automated features is that less-experienced operators can now drill at a more predictable level.
Sandvik ‘i’-series drills, such as Sandvik DR461i, feature the proven Sandvik Intelligent Control Architecture (SICA) CAN bus system. This common platform across all Sandvik ‘i’-series surface drills provides customers with advanced diagnostics to minimize time to repair, plus scalable automation that can be added at a later date. Sandvik AutoMine Surface Drilling takes technology from market-leading Sandvik AutoMine solutions even further.
Las Vegas, US, 26 September 2016
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Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a high-tech and global engineering group offering advanced products and services that enhance customer productivity, profitability and safety. We hold world-leading positions in selected areas – tools and tooling systems for metal cutting; equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries; products in advanced stainless steels, special alloys, titanium, and metallic and ceramic resistance materials. In 2015, the Group had about 45,000 employees and sales of about 86 billion SEK in more than 150 countries.
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, crushing and screening, loading and hauling, tunneling, quarrying and breaking and demolition. In 2015, sales were approximately 33 billion SEK with about 15,000 employees in continuing operations.