Brokk Archives - International Mining

Brokk, a leading manufacturer of remote-controlled demolition robots, has introduced the Brokk Pedestal Boom, a compact, stationary breaker boom system for the mining and aggregates industry.

The new machine range allows producers to apply the power and precision of Brokk’s demolition robots to primary breaking tasks that feed mobile crushers, jaw crushers, gyratory crushers and grizzlies.

The Brokk Pedestal Boom, Brokk says, offers an unrivalled range of motion, pairing Brokk’s three-part arm system with 360° slewing for maximum versatility in underground applications. The unit can be operated with either the tethered remote or from a control room.

Depending on network configuration, the machine can be manoeuvred from 2,000 m away or longer, using Brokk’s SmartRemote™ technology to increase safety and efficiency.

The standard remote operation solution features remote-control, intuitive controls and professional-grade radio technology with a 300 m working range, allowing operators to maintain the best view possible while staying safely out of harm’s way.

The networked remote operation solution allows operators to control the robot while sitting in an office, which, depending on network configuration, can be located 2,000 m away or longer. The machine is connected and operated over Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

The standard video option includes two cameras on the machine and an operator’s desk with integrated controls and video screen. Upgrades are available, including additional cameras for better visuals and optical zoom cameras. One control system can be paired with up to six Brokk Pedestal Boom systems.

Brokk will showcase the Brokk Pedestal Boom (the Brokk 300) and highlight other robotic mining solutions at MINExpo 2021, September 13-15, in Las Vegas.

Martin Krupicka, President and CEO of Brokk Group, said: “Brokk saw an opportunity to give our customers a better solution for breaking oversize rock in crushing and grizzly applications. We’ve developed technology that is powerful, compact, flexible and easy to install. The new Brokk Pedestal Boom provides a plug-and-play solution that is perfect for underground spaces with low headroom or other space constraints. We are leveraging our 45 years of experience and proven technology platforms to create a smart, safe and user-friendly solution.”

The Brokk Pedestal Boom is based on the proven arm system and power pack of Brokk’s demolition robots. The machine body is then mounted on a pedestal, rather than tracks. This allows the machine to be installed in a stationary position next to a crusher or any area where primary breaking is needed, the company says.

Unlike existing breaker boom options in the market, the Brokk Pedestal Boom system integrates the power source and arm for a compact breaking solution with just a single power cable. No external power pack or hydraulic hose connection is needed.

Model sizes for the range include the Brokk 200, Brokk 300, Brokk 500 and the Brokk 900 Pedestal Boom, which is capable of producing 3,050 J/Nm at a rate of 330-680 blows per minute with the BHB 1500 hydraulic breaker to power through even the toughest rock formations.

The Brokk Pedestal Boom offers more flexibility in underground and confined space applications, Brokk says. The three-part arm design allows producers to reach closer to the crushers and manoeuvre in as little as 1,800 mm of height clearance. This, paired with the unit’s 360° slewing capabilities, means operators can maintain the best angle against the material for efficient breaking.

Brokk’s compact and more flexible three-arm system also makes maintenance and switching attachments easier, especially in areas with space constraints.

The Pedestal Boom comes standard with a corresponding BHB hydraulic breaker for optimal efficiency and breaking capacity.

“Worker safety is a major focus for many companies and Brokk actively searches for ways to make every aspect of our customers’ processes safer,” Krupicka said. “Over the years, our demolition robots have helped mechanise a number of high-risk, heavy labour tasks such as scaling, drilling and secondary breaking. The new Brokk Pedestal Boom range addresses one more challenge, enabling customers to efficiently complete work without any health and safety risks.”

The benefits of robotic equipment have long been understood in mining applications, however common mining robots tend to be cumbersome and highly specialised – a great tool for drilling in large, open areas, but not much else, according to Raymond Ippersiel*.

Looking to apply mechanised solutions to ultra-deep, narrow-vein applications, some operations are employing a different kind of robot. Compact, highly versatile remote-controlled demolition robots are uniquely suited for the demanding conditions deep underground. These compact machines offer exceptional power-to-weight ratios – on par with classic excavators three times their size – while an advanced three-part arm provides unrivalled range of motion for drilling, scaling, breaking and bolting in any direction.

But there is a lot more these flexible, hard-hitting machines can offer modern mining operations. In addition to ultra-deep applications, the power and versatility of remote-controlled demolition machines makes them an ideal solution for support tasks such as shaft revitalisation and maintenance. Miners are finding employing a demolition robot not only speeds up progress in these situations, but also increases safety by taking on much of the physical work while keeping employees out of harm’s way.

Revitalisation versatility

Mining techniques have changed over the years, and productivity has decreased steadily since the 1960s. For many operations, returning to old shafts with more modern equipment can supplement production. However, getting these shafts in shape to meet modern safety regulations can be a difficult process requiring substantial work. Most are littered with rubble, collapsed supports and downed utilities, making the process of opening them up slow and dangerous.

In these types of situations, the versatility of remote-controlled demolition machines can minimise equipment and personnel requirements for highly efficient renovations. Armed with a suite of attachments, a demolition robot can perform almost any required task.

A breaker, for example, is used for scaling during initial refurbishment work, and a grapple is used to handle rubble and refuse to clear the bottom as well as assist in installing utilities. To dismantle old supports, steel or timber, a saw/grapple combination can be used. This reduces handling and cutting the steel to premium scrap lengths while working off a galloway.

With extensive equipment and attachment options available from innovative manufacturers, there is an opportunity to use demolition robots in just about every high-risk, heavy-labour maintenance situation, Raymond Ippersiel says

Primary and secondary blasting and rock bolting can all be managed with the drill attachments. Miners can then switch to a beam handler for erecting support ribs and installing wire mesh. These dexterous attachments can also be used for setting new services such as rails, pipes, or cables.

Finally, shotcrete attachments are also available.

More efficient maintenance

These attachments also make it easier for mines to maximise productivity for shaft and tunnel maintenance tasks. Replacing large crews with a small team and a demolition robot can result in a significantly more efficient process.

One operation was able to eliminate all manual labour in a shotcrete removal application and advance their maintenance schedule by months. They positioned the demolition robot on a platform that rotated around the core of a shaft boring machine. After the shotcrete was removed, they used the robot to pin and bolt new screening.

In addition to making shaft maintenance easier, demolition robots are increasing safety and efficiency for widening operations. They can be underhung from a galloway stage, hammer, drill and blast, drill and split and replace old clam buckets for mucking out.

The future of mining

With extensive equipment and attachment options available from innovative manufacturers, there is an opportunity to use demolition robots in just about every high-risk, heavy-labour shaft maintenance situation. The possibilities are only limited by the imagination.

*Raymond Ippersiel is a Training & Application Specialist at Brokk Inc. He has 10 years with the company and specialises in robotic demolition applications for the tunnelling, process and demolition industries

Brokk provides plug-and-play remote-controlled breaking solution

Efficient shaft revitalisation with remote-controlled demolition equipment

Revitalisation versatility

More efficient maintenance

The future of mining