The release of the new Epiroc ET66, ET45 and ET38 drill strings the company says marks a substantial breakthrough in tophammer drilling efficiency and reliability.
Developed over five years, the new Epiroc ET drill string components “have undergone meticulous modelling, lab testing, and field trials. Multiple concepts were subjected to computer simulations and laboratory assessments before the most powerful concepts were chosen for field tests in Sweden and Canada.”
The result is the Epiroc ET66, ET45 and ET38 drill strings, representing it says the company’s most significant breakthrough in drill rod technology and quality since the 1990s. “Designed and built for unbeatable durability and reliability, this next-generation drill string aims to make mining operations more manageable, safer, and highly efficient.”
The Epiroc ET drill string family is much stronger and stiffer than its previous versions, resulting in hardly any unplanned stops due to drill string failure. Additionally, the tube’s shoulder drive can transfer more energy into the rock, reducing vibration in the drill string and rig.
“This is the first launch of the complete Epiroc ET drill string family, a high-precision tube-drilling system that will streamline every aspect of mining. By transitioning to this next generation of ore drilling tools, our customers will rapidly improve their yearly utilisation rates and gain heightened profitability,” says Fredrik Gransell, Head of Product Marketing, Epiroc Tools division.
The Epiroc ET66, ET45 and ET38 drill strings are available now. Integrating them with existing Epiroc drill rig fleets it says will significantly boost operational efficiency in all areas of operation. In addition to enhanced durability, the tubes have a new innovative thread geometry that ensures easier uncoupling and fewer stuck tubes – improving drill time, uptime, and the operator’s safety.
For 76 mm tubes, suitable for 89 mm drilling, the OEM refers to the previously released Epiroc ET51 system, and later this year the Epiroc ET55 system (the direct successor of the currently used ST58 system).
“The messaging when launching the Epiroc ET drill strings, was a no-brainer to come up with. It all boils down to this: Everybody loves uptime. That translates into customer benefits like maximised utilisation rate, ease of use and increased profitability. And as always, we keep a strong focus on the operator,” says Fredrik Ternström, Head of Strategic Communication, Epiroc Tools division.
Epiroc will showcase the new ET66 drill string at MINExpo, from September 24-26, 2024 in Las Vegas, together with other new products that can help mining industries increase productivity, safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
