Tag Archives: Alpha 330

Sandvik brings new Alpha thread profile to top hammer drilling applications

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Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is launching Sandvik Alpha™ 340 asymmetric drilling tools, a new thread concept within its top hammer drilling offering for mining and tunnelling that replaces the Sandvik Alpha 330 thread system.

The new concept delivers up to 30% longer service life and increased productivity, according to the company.

The new Sandvik Alpha 340 thread is designed for use in face drilling and bolting in mine development and tunnelling, with hole sizes ranging from 43-51 mm. It features an entirely new asymmetric thread profile and has a larger diameter on the bit end thread of the drifter rod, reducing stress levels in critical areas, according to the company. Uncoupling is also easier than in previous designs, saving both time and effort.

Perhaps the biggest potential lies in the increased service life of the drill rod: with Sandvik Alpha 340, customers can achieve up to 30% longer service life – significantly increasing productivity and reducing cost per metre advanced, Sandvik says.

Robert Grandin, Product Manager Top Hammer Underground Rock Tools at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: “The Sandvik Alpha 330 concept has served our customers extremely well over the past 20 years, ensuring highly reliable and productive drilling. With the launch of its successor, we create a revolutionising new way of working with top hammer rock tools, thanks to its asymmetric design. This new concept will deliver both immediate and long term value for our customers.”

The new thread concept also comes with improved drill bits. Sandvik’s PowerCarbide™ grades will be more widely available in the standard assortment, and many bits get design upgrades with more gauge angles or larger buttons for increased robustness.

“The new system is the driller’s choice,” Grandin said. “It is very user friendly and provides easy uncoupling – which saves a lot of frustration for the driller – but also increases productivity, leading to better drilling results.”

The new Sandvik Alpha 340 thread concept will replace its predecessor Sandvik Alpha 330 in a phase-out process over the coming quarters.

Sandvik releases next generation Alpha 360 drilling tool system

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Sandvik is introducing a new drilling tool system, the Alpha 360, which it says is an improved and amplified version of the company’s best-selling Alpha 330 top hammer system (pictured).

With a reinforced design, Alpha 360 can last twice as long as a standard industry thread. Its hole accuracy also enables higher productivity in tunneling and mine development, according to Sandvik.

The system has been developed to deliver “unprecedented rock tools performance” and, at the same time, boost productivity in the whole drill-and-blast cycle, Sandvik said.

Robert Grandin, Product Manager for Underground Top Hammer, at Sandvik Rock Tools, said: “Alpha 360 is yet another example of our aim to provide customers with products that will maximise the output of their investments.

“High drilling accuracy is crucial to ensure that the tunnel gets the desired direction and profile. Straight and parallel holes also improve the advance per blast.”

The Alpha 360, which is designed for Ø48-51-mm-hole sizes in face drilling and bolting, features a strong thread design. The short thread on the round rod gives superior resistance towards bending stresses, improved bit guidance and excellent energy transfer, according to Sandvik.

The sturdy thread is guided inside the bit skirt, which enables high precision collaring also in complex rock formations and against uneven surfaces.

Grandin said: “As a leading supplier to the rock drilling industry, Sandvik continues to drive the technology forward. We always offer a full drill string from shank adapter to bit, designed for excellent reliability, performance and longevity.”