Tag Archives: Dave Shellhammer

Sandvik to explore surface drilling automation, digitalisation, electrification advances at new testing facility

Automation, Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , ,

In support of the shift towards electrification and the advancement of autonomous and optimisation technologies in surface drilling, Sandvik has acquired a new testing facility in Finland to develop and prove future surface drilling technologies.

The surface test mine is 40 km northwest of Tampere and Sandvik’s underground test mine. The area, which has previously served as a quarry, will be developed by its own drilling plan. The site is Sandvik’s first dedicated exclusively to surface drilling on such a large scale.

Petri Virrankoski, President, Surface Drilling at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: “The development of comprehensive solutions that not only harness the latest technologies but also deliver productivity and reliability in our customers’ real-life applications and conditions requires a real-life test environment. The surface test mine will facilitate the exchange of our deep know-how in equipment manufacturing, rock tools, automation and digitalisation, supporting the design and development of even more new products and solutions in the future.”

Sandvik is currently developing the site, officially known as Sandvik Test Pit, and testing its first drills there. Over the next two years, the company plans to construct permanent office buildings and designated customer facilities at the location.

Sandvik will use the test mine for R&D as well as hosting customers for technology demonstrations, particularly those related to automation, digitalisation and electrification of surface drills. The site will enable technology development and training for both surface boom and rotary drill rigs, as well as rock tools, parts and services and related digital technologies such as automation and fleet telematics and monitoring solutions.

The test mine will also allow Sandvik to explore and demonstrate power source alternatives in a real-world environment, in which infrastructure to support both boom and rotary drilling electrification can be provided.

Dave Shellhammer, President, Rotary Drilling at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: “Decarbonisation is accelerating across our industry, and the role of electrification in surface mining sustainability will help guide our development of new systems and solutions. Testing is a major part of our R&D cycle. This new test mine will help us shorten time to market and verify even more swiftly that we’re delivering the safest, most reliable and productive drill rigs to our customers.”

Sandvik ups single-pass capacity on newest DR416i rotary blasthole drill

Automation, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services, , , ,

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology says it is continuing its tradition of developing innovative technology to help customers enhance safety, improve productivity and reduce cost with the introduction of its Sandvik DR416i rotary blasthole drill.

Designed to improve efficiency and deliver dependable penetration in the world’s harshest mining conditions, the Sandvik DR416i delivers a single-pass capacity of 21 m (69 ft), the longest single-pass mast in its class, according to the company.

The drill rig is constructed for large diameter (406 mm/16 in) rotary drilling, is automation-ready, scalable, and “supplies the highest rotational torques and pull-down forces at the lowest possible operating cost”, Sandvik said. It’s also equipped with the company’s patented Compressor Management System (CMS), designed to reduce fuel consumption and improve productivity.

The three key principles that led the innovative design efforts of the Sandvik DR416i are safety, productivity and value, Sandvik said.

The blueprint for the Sandvik DR416i is focused on space, accessibility, visibility and automation to ensure operator safety, including the following features:

  • Easy-access 360° walkways;
  • Four egress points;
  • Easy access to mast components, and;
  • Non-rust, fiberglass-reinforced grating.

“Designed with a mix of durability and innovation, the Sandvik DR416i achieves optimal availability and productivity,” Sandvik said. It does this through features such as:

  • Dual feed speeds for greater drilling control and faster retract;
  • Auto-setup, auto mast raise/lower, auto-levelling and auto-drill;
  • ‘Live Tower’ design, lower/raise mast with rotary head and pipe at top of mast, and;
  • Traveling centraliser for straighter holes and reduced drill pipe wear.

The Sandvik DR416i is equipped with several features that improve the efficiency of customers’ operations while also cutting costs, according to the company. The CMS saves up to 30% on fuel consumption, while independent cooling offers quick core replacement. Sandvik also claims that the rig’s increased service intervals increase availability and reduces interaction, while there is advanced troubleshooting available via the controls system to help identify problems before picking up a wrench.

Dave Shellhammer, President, Rotary Drilling Division, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, said: “In developing the latest addition to our iSeries family, we looked at our customers’ greatest challenges in the large-diameter drill space and developed a cost-effective, highly-efficient solution to solve those challenges.”