Tag Archives: hammers

Cat DTH hammers and bits up the ante in blasthole drilling

Equipment maintenance, Explosives and blasting, Mining consumables, , , , , ,

Caterpillar has introduced its first Cat® down-the-hole (DTH) hammer and bits for blasthole drilling as it looks to speed up penetration rates and reduce drilling costs in difficult conditions.

The new Cat DTH Hammer is 152 mm (6 in) in diameter and is the first to be introduced in the new DTH line. Its valved design provides reliable operation, low air consumption, easier maintenance and cost effective rebuild, according to the company. The piston design, meanwhile, delivers long life and efficient energy transfer.

The new hammer is rated to run with compressed air systems driving working pressures up to 34.5 bar (500 psi). Cat explained: “This additional back-head pressure, when combined with corresponding airflow demanded, generates more blows-per-minute to generate faster penetration rates in the hardest of materials.”

Caterpillar also is introducing bits for DTH drilling. Several different configurations of 171 mm (6.75 in) bits are now available in both standard and heavy-duty versions to allow matching the bit to the rock characteristics and job requirements. The bit selections include a variety of carbide shapes (spherical, ballistic) and face shapes (concave, flat, convex).

“Cat Bits are optimised for high wear resistance and improved rock chipping,” the company says. “The aggressive, long-lasting cutting structure in conjunction with the efficient Cat DTH Hammer delivers a superior rate of penetration.”

Caterpillar’s advanced materials and heat treatment technology used in the DTH products yield longer life and result in lower overall drilling costs in demanding conditions, it says. In head-to-head tests conducted in iron ore and quarry applications, Cat says its hammers and bits demonstrated significantly lower total cost of drilling.

Epiroc’s new hammers to ‘dramatically change profitability in DTH drilling’

Explosives and blasting, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, , , , , , , , ,

Epiroc says its new COP M series of flexible down-the-hole (DTH) hammers is easily adapted for use on different rigs and in different drilling conditions – and set to boost productivity for mining companies.

Mining companies seek to minimise the cost of drilling holes by opting for fewer and larger holes to reduce the total number of drill meters, and increase efficiency and profitability, according to Epiroc.

“It’s about ensuring maximum utilisation of the rig and keeping it operational with minimum interruption,” said Davood Mohammadi Balan, Percussive Service Manager at Epiroc.

However, traditional DTH hammers involve repeated consumable replacements and a large inventory. Shifting to a new hammer for each rig type or drilling condition is costly to mining companies.

The new COP M hammers from Epiroc will dramatically change profitability in DTH drilling thanks to their innovative flexibility, according to the company.

“These new hammers are a step towards a change in operational flexibility by being easily adapted to different rig types and drilling conditions,” Balan said.

Each hammer in the new range can be used on a wide range of DTH drill rigs thanks to a conversion kit located inside the hammer.

Fredrik Gransell, Product Line Manager, DTH, Epiroc, said: “By adapting the hammer to a specific rig, the rate of penetration (ROP) is optimised.”

Together, the new products, COP M6, COP M7 and COP M8 – where M stands for mining and the number for the tool’s dimension – optimally cover drilling needs in the 6.5-10 in dimension range.

Gransell added: “The new COP M series adds the flexibility of selecting the right tool for any given situation. It’s a revolutionary innovation in DTH drilling.”

“At a small investment, mining companies can tap into top-quality technology from the leading provider – and boost profitability to a whole new level,” concluded Balan.

Still within the COP M Series, but for smaller diameter holes, Epiroc also used the recent Bauma fair in Munich, Germany, to showcase its new COP M4 DTH hammer for soft-rock applications.

The DTH hammer offers mining and construction companies the highest durability for both hammer and bit – with maintained ROP, the company said.

As the name implies, the hammer’s dimension is 4 in, making it useful for most soft-rock blast holes.

Besides offering a high ROP, the COP M4 is operating gently on the bit, reducing fatigue, which adds further to its favourable total cost of ownership (TCO), Epiroc said. E-kitting is a way to further improve TCO without sacrificing productivity, the company said.

“We managed to reach the perfect balance between frequency and impact energy, which means the new hammer breaks the rock optimally – without hitting it too hard,” Gransell said.

Other benefits include a smoother and more reliable drilling process, without the hammer getting jammed in the rock, as well as low fuel consumption, Epiroc said.

It is also easy to adjust the hammer for use in different ground conditions by replacing one or two components inside the hammer.

The COP M4 is made of only eight components, meaning it is easy to assemble and disassemble. In addition, it is shorter and lighter than conventional hammers in the market, which makes it easy to handle for drill operators and their service crews, Epiroc said.

To offer best value, Epiroc is also planning to launch a new bit, specially designed for soft-rock DTH drilling.

“Launching a complete DTH solution that combines COP M4 and our upcoming soft rock bit, we’re expecting to redefine productivity and reliability in DTH soft rock drilling,” Gransell said.