Sandvik DR481i, a device for the future.

Introduce a heavy drilling rig for large-scale operation of open pit mine. The diameter of sandvik DR481i borehole can reach up to 406mm, and its design aims to improve the efficiency of mining minerals per unit volume and weight as much as possible, while reducing the total cost of ownership.

The first impression that the sandvik DR481i open-pit drilling rig will be introduced soon is that it is huge. When the mast rises, the height of the rig can reach 32 meters and the base weighs nearly 200 tons. The crawler system can expand the aperture size range of this open-pit drilling rig from the previous maximum of 311 mm to 406 mm. Like all other large open-pit drilling rigs, this sandvik DR481i uses a rotating system, and the drill bit cuts or crushes stones by rotating downward. The main applications of this hard rock drilling rig include iron ore mining and copper mining.

Tab Siegrist, global product line manager of sandvik open-pit drilling rig for mining and rock technology, said, "We expect its service life to exceed 100,000 hours. This drilling rig has the potential to serve the mine for more than 20 years. Sandvik DR481i achieves a balance between maximizing production efficiency and cost efficiency. We are quite convinced that the savings brought by this drilling rig with compressor management system during its life cycle are enough to recover the purchase cost. "

Sandvik DR481i has an advanced inertial rotary head, which can improve drilling efficiency. The mass of the rotating parts of this system is improved by adding a flywheel to the input gear, which can effectively maintain the conservation of momentum and resist the vibration caused by any obstacles. The downward pulling force of up to 54 tons can not only improve the drilling rate, but also provide enough bit load to maximize the drilling rate of current and future rotary bits.

Its expanded 21-meter one-way capacity is bound to be favored by large hard rock mining enterprises. The two-speed system provides a good feed speed for drilling and a high-speed feed for manipulating the drill string.

The mast has a unique chain feed system equipped with a mobile centralizer, which effectively reduces the lateral load and movement of the drill string and improves the straightness of the deep hole. Holes with high straightness are beneficial to rock crushing, and at the same time, the flying and scattering of rocks are reduced during blasting. Moving the centralizer can also improve the service life of the rotary head and mast. The mast support is designed for rapid automatic lifting. Like many open-pit drilling rigs, manual handling is not required. In addition, the maintenance personnel can safely reach the mast maintenance point, which not only improves the production efficiency, but also makes the mast easy to maintain.

In order to meet the future four-stage emission control requirements, sandvik DR481i uses a Cummins QSK50 diesel engine whose power system is based on the next generation of 1,118 kWh. The key component of the power system is the compressor management system patented by sandvik, which can greatly reduce the load of the engine and compressor. When electricity is not needed, the compressor management system will eliminate the load. A large number of field tests show that the compressor management system can help reduce fuel consumption by more than 30%. In addition, reducing load means extending maintenance intervals and increasing the service life of engines, compressors and other components.

Generally speaking, the key design feature of sandvik DR481i is easy maintenance. 360-degree walkways and ladders are designed according to ISO 2867/AS 1657 standard, so that workers can safely and conveniently enter the cab and go to all key maintenance points. All the filtering devices that are replaced regularly are piled up in one filtering platform. The filtration platform also includes a central key fluid sampling point for preventive maintenance, thus avoiding potential and unnecessary maintenance plans. The whole power system is installed on a single bracket, which can be easily lifted away for more detailed maintenance. All maintenance tasks are supported by comprehensive health monitoring and diagnosis system to reduce troubleshooting time and improve availability.

Sandvik DR481i can also use an extensible automation scheme, including four levels, from basic automatic leveling, 3D navigation and energy management modules to remote non-line-of-sight operation. Mine managers can first choose a simple option according to their needs, and then upgrade according to their needs. In the most advanced configuration, an operator can control several drilling rigs thousands of miles away at the same time using remote control in the control room.

Safety has always been a top priority in sandvik, and sandvik DR481i is no exception. One of the main advantages of remote control is that it can keep people away from any dangerous place. The spacious new operating room can provide good ergonomic features and is equipped with a built-in high-efficiency dual air conditioning system. Inclined windows can reduce glare and heat load. Easy-to-reach service points help ensure that maintenance personnel return home safely every day.