Safer Core Drilling Rigs
Atlas Copco said it now offers drill rigs that
eliminate many of the hazards typically
associated with underground core sampling.
The risk of handling inner tubes and
drill rods while extracting core samples, for
example, is common for drillers everywhere,
and despite safety regulations, accidents
and severe injuries still occur. Atlas
Copco noted that its Diamec Smart core
drilling rigs have an advanced control system
that enables automatic functions such
as drilling and rod handling. The improved
control system on Diamec Smart rigs is
based on Atlas Copco’s Rig Control System
(RCS), and now features more than 20
hardware and software improvements over
previous versions. Operators using the rig's
advanced handler can perform work from a
safe distance, with rod addition and
removal carried out automatically. In addition
to safety, the company said the automatic
functions also improve the working
environment and increase productivity: A
3-m-long inner tube with core samples can
weigh about 100 kg, for instance, and handling
it is heavy and hazardous work. The
rod handler eliminates operator fatigue and
helps maintain pace over an entire shift.
www.atlascopco.com
As featured in Womp 2015 Vol 12 - www.womp-int.com