FEATURE
Productivity up by 17 %, noise levels down by 75 % - Atlas Copco Surface Rock Drills rock !
“
Atlas Copco ’ s new Surface Rock Drills , the SRD range , is everything you want from a tool – reliability , efficiency , minimum maintenance , rapid service and low operating costs ,” says Atlas Copco Power Technique ’ s Business Line Manager for Portable Products , David Stanford .
Owing to an ergonomic design , these powerful pneumatic rock drills are light-weight , versatile and easy-tohandle , getting the job done seamlessly , productively and safely . Engineered to perform optimally even under the toughest of working environments , these robust tools are ideal for drilling and breaking applications in construction and quarrying . Fitted with eco-friendly power packs , several drills can be conveniently and cost-effectively operated with a single compressor .
Thanks to the smart Solid / Single Body design , the pneumatic tools which are available in 20kg and 25kg versions , boast a world-class power-to-weight ratio making them well-balanced for easy , comfortable operation . The solid housing eliminates leakages and increases cylinder lifecycle while fewer moving parts means less wear . In addition , these one-piece machines are easy to assemble and disassemble , facilitating service and maximising up time .
The SRDs are equipped with Assisted Flushing Technology which is activated
by opening the flashing valve to allow an additional flow of compressed air through a pathway in the cylinder to flush the drill hole while operating . “ This technology can improve productivity by up to 17 %!” notes Stanford .
Stanford draws attention to Atlas Copco ’ s a zero-compromise approach when it comes to operator safety and comfort , stressing that Atlas Copco places operators at the core of its tool design . The two-step SOFTSTART™ trigger gives operators full control enabling them to start a cut with surgical precision even under difficult conditions . In addition , these tools are HAPS™ ( Hand and Arm Protection Systems ) enabled which lessens the impact of vibrations , making it possible to extend working hours up to six-fold .
In order to further shrink vibration and wear , the tool ’ s piston switches on aircushions on both ends of the cylinder ,
almost fully eliminating metal-to-metal contact when working off-load . The vibration level of the SRD 25 is 50 % lower compared to previous generation tools .
Atlas Copco has developed a pneumatic dust collector to protect operators from the large amounts of silica dust produced during drilling and breaking . Powered by compressed air and utilising vacuum technology , the dust collector efficiently removes dust directly at the source , maintaining levels below the permissible exposure limit . The semi-automatic filter cleaning mechanism requires minimal maintenance , the dust collector consumes no more than 12 litres of air per second and its recyclable collection bags will last for an 8-hour shift . The unit is suitable for indoor and outdoor use .
High noise levels can affect an operator ’ s hearing and lead to fatigue . Atlas Copco has developed an improved wear-resistant polyurethane silencer that diminishes the noise levels of the SRDs by up to 75 %. “ This equates to a 2dB reduction in noise which makes a substantial difference , especially when several drills are operating simultaneously .”
Atlas Copco supports the SRD handheld pneumatic tool range with a professional after-sales service portfolio that includes high-quality Air Line accessories such as air hoses , hose nipples , couplings , water separators and Air Oil lubricants .
16 www . fmdrc-Zambia . com