ROCK TOOLS
The modular concept will be introduced starting with 5 in hammers . By varying just a few internal components , the resulting hammer has different characteristics . Some 19 different variants will be available , each customised for a specific application ( mining / water well / geotechnical ) and rock formation ( hard / soft ). Air packages are available on various drill rigs on the market ( high / low airflow & low / high air pressure ). COP 57P offers at least 5 % higher ROP ( rate of penetration ) and 10 % longer life .
Robit and high performance Rbit
Robit ’ s new Rbit button bit for Top Hammer was one of its in focus products at MINExpo 2021 . It features the fastest rate of penetration in any of its bits so far . It breaks the rock faster and with less effort , causing significant savings in fuel costs , and has the lowest cost per metre , which is still very helpful in bringing down the total costs . It was extensively tested by Swerock , which provides quarrying , crushing , and screening services across Finland . It produces some 13 Mt of aggregates per year with 15 drill rigs and 21 crushing plants .
Antti Sipola , Site Manager for Swerock in Northern Finland , where aggregates are being produced at seven quarries stated : " The new Rbit drill bits showed improved durability and good penetration rates already at the test stage . In addition to hard granite , we also drilled on quartz rock , which causes the most abrasion on the drill bit . Rbit bits give you more drill metres and straighter holes , enabling a good quality drill bench . Smaller borehole deviation enables more efficient , safer , and higher quality excavations .”
Thanks to an optimised button pattern , the Robit Rbit bits provide maximal contact on the impact surface . Thanks to a new impact surface design the impact energy on the rock is more efficient . Faster penetration is achieved through better flushing . Rbit bits are also available in Heavy Duty versions which provide even more drill metres in certain rock conditions . “ We have largely shifted to Rbit bits now that they are in mass production , as they provide a clear advantage in drilling . We are also planning to test the Robit Diamond Button Series bits whose buttons are coated with industrial diamonds to maximise durability ,” Sipola says .
Also on display at the show was the Robit tubeless WH TL -hammer series for DTH drilling that functions without the foot valve , which is often considered to be the most fragile part when drilling , thus eliminating the operational downtime needed to replace the valve . The hammer features improved strength and optimal performance , as well as adjustable airflow , to allow for increased efficiency .
“ The foot valve , or exhaust tube , is sometimes deemed as the weak part of a DTH bit . A failure is more likely to occur either in wet drilling applications , where the force of the water being compressed by the piston can shear the foot valve , or in soft , fractured conditions , where it is difficult to keep sufficient weight on the drill bit . The foot valve is an inexpensive sacrificial component , manufactured from a polymer , ensuring that any failures that do occur , do not damage the piston or drill bit .”
In the new Robit WH TL range , the hammer has been designed to operate without the foot valve , resulting in less downtime in the most demanding conditions . Designed for blast hole and well drilling applications , the hammers use four types of standard shanks across the 4 in , 5 in and 6 in hammer ranges with the foot valves either removed or cut flush with the strike face of the drill bit . This gives the driller the flexibility to use the hammer without the need for a special shank drill bit , thus eliminating the need for purchasing additional drill bit models . It also allows for the use of standard , commonly available Robit DTH bits .
Other advantages of the tubeless design mitigate the need to replace foot valves during bit sharpening which , for some high usage mining customers , can be a significant saving in cost and time . No foot valve means no risk of damage through storage or transportation . For deeper hole well drillers , the advantage is the peace of mind and reduced risk of downtime . Should a foot valve failure occur when deep hole drilling , it can be labour intensive and costly to bring the drill bit back to the surface for replacement .
“ I am excited for Robit to offer this new range , something that an increasing number of customers have been requesting from us . The WH TL range continues to allow Robit to be competitive in key regions and demonstrates our commitment to provide quality products whilst reducing overall drilling costs . Some customers never experience issues with hammers fitted with foot valves . However , for end-users drilling in conditions where foot valve failure is more common , this product development will save significant costs and provide peace of mind ,” says Adam Baker VP Down the Hole Products , Robit .
Robit also showcased its new
The Rbit button bit for Top Hammer features the fastest rate of penetration in any of the Robit bits so far
Extreme Carbide for applications in abrasive ground , which is designed to resist wear , with a durable dual-property carbide layer on the outside . The Extreme grade # 4 carbide stays sharp for longer , thus improving productivity by reducing the downtime caused by the regrind process . The carbide also has increased performance of over 50 % bit life , providing increased benefits also for those preferring to drill till the destruction of the bit .
Terelion ’ s Warrior and RPS
Terelion , the major manufacturer of rotary drill bits to the mining industry , expanded into the down-the-hole ( DTH ) market at MINExpo 2021 in Las Vegas . In addition to the existing rotary bits range , Terelion now offers the Warrior product line of DTH hammers and bits in sizes from 4-8 in ( 102-203 mm ). Traditionally , DTH is used for drilling up to 10 in production blastholes in quarries and surface mines , with the ability to drill fast with minimum hole deviation in hard and fissured rock earning its popularity . It is also used for drilling pre-split and buffer holes in large surface mining operations where production drilling is done by rotary .
Rahul Obla , DTH Product Line Director at Terelion , said : “ This makes our new Warrior DTH range a perfect complement for our customers , who mostly use our rotary tools in their production drilling .” Introducing the Warrior DTH product line with a full range covering 4 in , 5 in , 6 in , 7 in and 8 in hammers is a natural step for Terelion ’ s new growth strategy , it says . “ Having both rotary and DTH
The patented Terelion RPS Rotary Percussion System combines the best advantages of rotary drilling and percussive drilling
16 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021