Blast-hole Straightness System Measures Up—and Down


Robit's drill hole straightness measuring module is integrated into
the standard drill string. The complete system comprises a suspended
measuring module with inertial sensors, a data transmitter, a
wireless charger and a tablet computer with user interface.
Robit, a Finland-based supplier of drilling tools, claims to be the first company to develop a patented measuring system that can measure the straightness of a hole during the percussive drilling process. The company said its new measuring technology and system is the result of an intensive, seven-year research and development program, and is currently in use by selected customers.

Holes drilled in rock often deviate from the desired direction, and in long holes, the deviation may even be several meters. Hole deviation results in inefficient operations and in the worst case may create safety hazards. The new system measures the actual straightness of drill holes immediately, so the information can be utilized in optimizing and charging a rock face.

In comparison with existing manual systems, measuring during the drilling process with the Robit system does not require an extra work phase, according to the company— measurements are available immediately after drilling. Users have a 3-D view of the drilled hole within the drilling pattern.

Because results are available immediately, the system makes it possible to react to any hole deviation while positioning and directing following holes. The system functions in all types of rock formations—even in magnetic ore—according to Robit.

The ability to optimize hole charging by monitoring and correcting for deviated holes offers a number of benefits, according to Robit, including:
• Optimized crushing through controlled charging and blasting, eliminating oversized boulders.
• Ensuring safe blasting, without risk of flyrock.
• Maximizing yield from the orebody by avoiding drilling in waste rock.
• Increasing the overall productivity of the blasting and crushing process.
• Cutting costs for fuel and explosives and reducing downtime.
• Storage of drilling data in a useful database.

www.robit.fi

As featured in Womp 2015 Vol 04 - www.womp-int.com