The road to growth
October 14, 2021
FlexiROC D60 2021 International SmartROC D65 Surface and Exploration Drilling division South Africa Customer story
South African mining contractor sees substantial benefits from surface rig investments.
Welcome to the fold
October 10, 2019
“We wanted to develop a product that could perform feed folding completely without damaging the drill rig. Auto Feed Fold consists of two sensors that tell the software where all parts of the boom and the feed are in relation to the rig. It has primarily been developed as a separate option for surface drill rigs in the Epiroc SmartROC range.”
How will this product improve your client's business?
“It minimizes the risk of operator mistakes because it avoids damage to the rig that has to be repaired. The product also increases user-friendliness; the machine operator just needs to press a button instead of having to do manual adjustment from the cabin, where sight can be limited. It’s also an advantage when using the BenchREMOTE operator station to remotely control the rig from a distance.”
What were your biggest challenges during the development phase?
“It was developing the mathematical model that describes where each part of the boom system is in relation to each other. We also had tough demands for speed because we wanted the folding process done safely without losing valuable time.”
How can a rig be upgraded?
“You need a software upgrade, new cylinders with integrated sensors for feed swing and feed dump, and an electrical kit. Initial start-up requires calibration of sensors, start currents and setting the target transport position for all joints. A certified service technician should therefore perform the upgrade.”
