Boart Longyear, the leading provider of drilling equipment and performance tooling, has announced the launch of a new IMPAKT™ line of drill bits. The Rock Tools team at Boart Longyear used advanced computational modelling to identify a deadpool at the centre of traditional bit designs. This deadpool it says results in significant wasted energy due to inefficient flushing.

The solution Boart Longyear argues is its IMPAKT top hammer bit, featuring a patent pending ‘Raceway’ face profile. “Immediately recognisable as unique, the new IMPAKT bit eliminates the deadpool, improving drill string energy transfer and overall drilling performance.”

After development and global third party testing, this design innovation it says has been proven to actively clear cuttings from the entire cutting face. With flushing speeds increased by 25%, the resulting penetration rate has been improved by an average of 18%.

“We were fortunate to work with a major third party customer during development and testing,” says Jeff Hogan, Global Product Line Manager for Rock Tools at Boart Longyear. “Real world trials using a range of OEM drifters demonstrated alignment with our developmental testing and validated our innovation to deliver value for our customers.”

The IMPAKT line of tools will launch with a concise range of bits designed specifically for underground long hole drilling. These bits are available with hemispherical or parabolic carbides in sizes ranging from 64 mm to 89 mm.