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.
