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Automation software improves ease of work

24th March 2017

     

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Sustainable productivity solutions provider Atlas Copco has introduced the Dynamic tunnelling package, new automation software for face drilling rigs, such as its Boomer range, which is built for blasthole drilling in underground mining and tunnelling.

The package is offered by Atlas Copco’s Underground Rock Excavation division, in its Mining and Rock Excavation Technique business area. It provides users with improved accuracy of excavation as it ensures that drill plans are “always [fitted] for the current section”, enabling the drill rig to generate its own drill plans directly at the face of the tunnel.

The package downloads the contours of the tunnel or mine drifts to the drill rig, together with a drill rule file (set of rules), through which the drill rig is able to create drill plans tailored for the section to be navigated. This negates the need to go back and forth with drill plans.

“In tunnelling projects, [especially large urban projects], there are differences in the cross section. You go up and down with your drill plans,” says Atlas Copco Boomer product manager Johan Jonsson.

Today, all tunnelling models are three- dimensional (3D). Previously, the models were imported into Underground Manager, Atlas Copco software used for planning and reporting of drill rig data and information, and all the drill plans were done manually using this software. Through the Dynamic tunnelling package, the 3D model is still imported, but one only needs to set up a rules file in Underground Manager. The set of rules and the 3D model are then downloaded onto the drill rig by means of USB or WiFi. The drill rig will then make its own drill plans based on the section of the tunnel it is navigating and according to the tunnel model. Thus, the drill plans will always be tailored for the section and size that should be excavated.

The Dynamic tunnelling package is part of Atlas Copco’s Powered by Automation concept.

“We are not only talking fully autonomous products, but different steps of automation based on the task at hand and the current level of automation at a mining or construction operation.”

The Powered by Automation concept involves four steps – data monitoring, product function control, calculated optimisation and full autonomy.

The Dynamic tunnelling package was piloted by Atlas Copco customer construction and property development company Veidekke at the State highway RV80 project, in Bodø, Norway. The project involves a tunnel that comprises two 2.5 km sections, requiring the company to excavate about 500 000 m3 of rock.

Veidekke surveying technic underground manager Jon-André Nilsen says the Dynamic tunnelling package makes the company’s drilling more precise. “We can make changes to the drill plans directly on the rig. We can move cuts or drill holes. We are more flexible at the tunnel face, compared with making all changes at the office. We use the Dynamic tunnelling package to make niches (areas of the tunnel with a larger cross section). This makes the work more precise.”

Veidekke drill rig operator Kent Simensen commends the tunnelling package for its ease of use. “[Just] two keystrokes and you are started. The contour turns out very accurate. The end result is identical to the drawing. The Dynamic tunnelling package has made my work in the tunnel a lot easier.”

Atlas Copco’s Underground Rock Excavation division develops, manufactures and markets a range of tunnelling and mining equipment for various underground applications worldwide. The divisional headquarters and main production centre are in Örebro, Sweden. With its head office in the East Rand, in Gauteng, Atlas Copco Mining & Excavation Technique South Africa has a nationwide presence, with branches in Rustenburg, in the North West; Lydenburg, Mpumalanga; and Kuruman, Kimberley and Springbok, in the Northern Cape.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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