DRILL CONSUMABLES_proof 26/10/2016 10:31 Page 5
DRILL CONSUMABLES
On the new grade of carbide, the company
says it “accounts for a great leap forward in
underground drifting bit life. Strenuous testing
and analysation has borne vast improvements in
bit life, especially when used in water flush
applications. Continued assessment in North and
South America has shown great success and this
will continue for the foreseeable future.”
and Rock Technology. “With
UNIFACE, we launch an
updated and improved DTH
drill bit design. The result is a
design with a number of
features that are new to the
industry and that significantly
increase bit life, while
maintaining penetration rate.”
Introducing Sandvik UNIFACE
Following the recent successful launch of its top
centre drill bit, Sandvik launched the new
UNIFACE down-the-hole range of drill bits at
MINExpo 2016. “Sandvik UNIFACE drill bits
incorporate the largest upgrade to DTH bits in
decades, with long bit life essential in cutting
costs and improving productivity.”
Having the correct bit is a crucial factor in the
performance of any drilling operation. The
UNIFACE bit design from Sandvik incorporates
several features that, when combined,
significantly improve bit life and productivity
according to the company. “In fact, the service
life of the UNIFACE bit can be as much as 80%
longer than current Sandvik bits. Sandvik
UNIFACE is designed for optimised flushing that
gives a more even wear of the gauge, increasing
the life of the bit. In order to achieve a consistent
penetration rate, the buttons have been placed
so that they always hit fresh rock.” The new
UNIFACE design stands out for the following
reasons according to Sandvik:
n Raised centre ensures centre buttons hit the
rock first, resulting in even better collaring
and straighter holes.
n Optimised number and placement of flushing
holes (depending on diameter size, either
three or four), with equal distance between
flushing grooves evenly distributing air flow
and reducing wear on gauge buttons.
n No face slots ensures that the air is more
evenly distributed around the bit, resulting in
a more even wear. It also facilitates better
clearing of cuttings in front of the bit and
makes it possible to evenly place the buttons.
n The evenly-placed buttons enable the
UNIFACE bit to cover the entire cutting area
with just 90° rotation. This means that there
is no double breaking of the same rock or
missed breaking, enabling more even wear of
the buttons and resulting in increased button
life. The even load distribution on all buttons
also reduces the risk of button breakage.
The tool life improvements delivered by the
Sandvik UNIFACE design also yield significant
health and safety benefits, since operators spend
less time changing tools. “The new bit design
essentially delivers more drill metres per shift
compared with a standard bit, thanks to less
frequent bit changes,” says Johan Bergquist, Global
Product Line Manager DTH Tools, Sandvik Mining
Varel at MINExpo
Varel International’s
Ridgeback blasthole bits
were highlighted at MINExpo
Sandvik says the new UNIFACE drill bits
2016. The bits the company says “are capable of
incorporate the largest upgrade to DTH bits in
drilling your hardest formations and providing
decades, with long bit life essential in cutting
the highest penetration rates and longest life
costs and improving productivity
available. Decades of engineering and design
expertise in conjunction with in-field services,
and limit the risks associated with new product
allow us to provide you with cost effective drilling
development.”
solutions for any application.” Varel says its
Combining experience in sealed bearing drill
proprietary bearing package delivers long,
bits with patented bearing technologies,
reliable performance under high pulldown
innovative, wear resistant features, and
leading to increased ROP and longer bit life.
customised for-purpose cutting structures, has
“Enhanced cutting structure designs provide the
led to the Avenger blasthole bit series. “This
highest penetration rates and the longest life
synergy of technologies improves ROP, lowers
available. Exacting process control and materials
TDC, and extends bit life where conventional
selection provide extended bearing and cutting
bearings struggle.”
structure life.”
The Avenger sealed roller bearing is designed
Varel’s patented HET™ (High Energy Tumbling)
for lower to medium pulldown applications where
process the company says gives the inserts a
bearing life is limited with standard open bearing
unique surface
toughness that extends
bit life and improves
rate of penetration.
Maximum gauge
protection combines
tungsten carbide inserts
(TCI) with welded
hardmetal for superior
wear resistance and
optimum gauge life.
The company also
showcased its Advanced
Modelling Package
(AMP), a standalone
virtual drilling simulator
for roller cone bit
designs utilising
formation information.
Bits
Mining
Rods
Construction
“This aids the engineer
Couplings
Quarrying
with bit design analysis
Shanks
Tunneling
and includes such
DTH
Water-well
factors as drill operating
®
R o c k M o r e®
parameters, bit
International
geometry, and mine
Rock Drilling Tools
lithology. By using this
Wilsonville, Oregon USA
Judenburg, Austria
proprietary software,
Tel +1 (503) 682-1001
Tel +43 3572-86300
info@rockmore-intl.com
austria@rockmore-intl.com
Varel engineers are able
to predict the effects of
design modifications
Drill
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with RockMore
NOVEMBER 2016 | International Mining 51