Sandvik Mining recently commissioned a new high-load, hard-rock cutting test rig. The official inauguration ceremony took place on March 3 in Zeltweg, Austria.
The company’s competence center for mechanical cutting in Zeltweg has continued to investigate suitable cutting technologies and machine concepts, and the critical need for a full-scale test rig to validate hard rock cutting became evident for future product development. The engineering design, planning, construction and assembly of the high-load, hard-rock cutting test rig commenced in August 2013 and was completed at the end of 2014.
Since the beginning of 2015, various cutting tests were initiated, which will all contribute to the development of different hard-rock cutting technologies for application in rapid mine development and production machine concepts.
Janne Uotila, vice president of product development and global technology, global equipment, pointed out the necessity of this investment. He emphasized the need for continuous pioneering results to stay relevant as a tool and equipment supplier, for which the cutting test rig will be of great value.
