Atlas Copco said its new SmartROC D60 is a versatile Down-The-Hole (DTH) rig designed for drilling 110- to 178-mm-diameter (4-5/16- to 7-in.) holes, and can be used in a wide variety of applications and challenging drilling conditions. The new model’s hole navigation and auto positioning systems ensure that the rig will locate the exact position of each hole and then accurately collar and drill them to precisely the required depth and inclination, according to the company—providing better blast fragmentation and improving both the loadability and crushability of the blasted ore.
A standard feed with 5-m-tube capacity features built-in sensors in the rod handling cylinders and carousel motor, enabling more reliable rod handling and eliminating the need for inductive sensors. The rig also has Auto Rod Handling as a standard feature. Economical fuel consumption is achieved through intelligent control of the compressor load and engine RPM, resulting in an estimated fuel saving of up to 15% compared with the FlexiROC D60.
The SmartROC D60 can perform toe-hole, dewatering hole and horizontal drilling and, because the feed can be positioned horizontally, feed maintenance is also easier. At worksites where bench stability is a concern, the SmartROC D60 can be used with Atlas Copco’s BenchREMOTE operator station that allows remote rig operation at a distance of up to 100 m.
