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DRILLING AND LOADING available on the P&H 77XD and 320XPC. The system includes single unit, High Precision GPS (HPGPS) remote control operations; an easy-to- use operator interface; and integrated Hawkeye 360° camera system. The product can be integrated with local site Wi-Fi. Safety features include a physical lockout key; SIL-3 rated E- stop; GPS-based geo-fencing; and 500 ms communications watchdog. The system is comprised of sensors that project an array of beams to create an intricate 3D grid pattern calculating size and distance, while differentiating between surrounding ground conditions and nearby objects (stationary as well as mobile). It delivers high accuracy and repeatability for increased production. The system is designed to drill within 10 cm of each planned hole in a drill pattern. Consistency offers better blasts, achieving desired fragmentation sizing by drilling exactly to the drill plan. The system uses two sensors fixed on the drill to define the footprint of the decking platform. The customer can define the GPS limits of their boundary, creating a geo-fence. When the corners of the platform reach the geo-fence, the drill is limited in operation. HPGPS also enables control accuracy of hole depth, taking the X, Y and Z axes into consideration during drilling. The system provides adjustment of the rotary speed and feed rate of the drill to maintain the optimal depth-of-cut. This includes advanced exception handling that enables operators to compensate and adjust on-the-fly to situations that impact overall cycle time performance, keeping the bit engaged. Examples include: reacting to hole collapse; drill chip blockage in between the string and wall; adjustments to handle potentially adverse vibration conditions and user feedback to avoid over-drilling. Rudgormash updates flagship SBSH-250 Russia’s leading manufacturer, Rudgormash received visitors from iron ore mining group PJSC Stoylenskiy GOK in October 2016 who were at its factory for preliminary acceptance of the drilling rig of type SBSH-250 that had been manufactured by that time and was being prepared for shipment. The drilling rig for the iron ore company fundamentally differs from the previous drills of this type and size and, says Rudgormash: “embodies all requirements and recommendations of the Stoylenskiy GOK specialists. Our own design office can promptly improve and modernise equipment according to customer’s needs and requirements. We adhere to the expert opinion of the repair and maintenance specialists and we are open to constructive feedback and suggestions. We value the customers’ readiness for dialogue.” In October, the OEM heard the opinions about 62 International Mining | APRIL 2017 The new Komatsu PC4000-11 Diesel Tier 4 Rudgormash drilling rigs expressed by the minesite repair teams, which are the people that know first-hand how vital it is to have drilling equipment of good quality, productivity and serviceability in conditions of continuous production. Sergey Bulgakov, the head of the drilling department at Stoylenskiy GOK stated to Rudgormash that the mine now has nine of its drilling rigs and he considers that these are some of the most reliable drilling rigs available, “the quality and productivity of which totally satisfies our needs. This time we have obtained your newly modernised drilling rig SBSH-250. We appreciate that your enterprise is always on the move, always in progress, modernising its equipment. Last year [2015] we already increased our scope of drilling and we hope this year [2016] to increase it even more.” The feed cylinders of the mast have been replaced by cylinders of smaller diameter, which has doubled the speed of lowering and lifting operations (at least 17 m/min) and resulted in a productive capacity increase by 15-20%. The mast structure and the block of feeding mechanisms have changed fundamentally which has made the mounting and dismounting (lower cylinder anchor on the axle) operations more comfortable. All blocks for mechanical feeding have joints on a pulley axle which makes the dismounting of the block bearings easier, without extra load- lifting mechanisms. A cooler for the oil pumping station has been used to reduce oil heating and provide for comfortable operationn. Upon the customer’s request, there is also an option in the feeding drive that allows them to calculate the travelled distance. A fundamentally new cabin has also been introduced. The cabin walls became more hermetic and