Construction World September 2019

Copco presents its light, medium and heavy rock drills which feature built-in air flushing for quick, efficient hole cleaning. The light range has a drilling depth of up to a 2 m and is ideal for plug hole as well as anchor and wedge drilling. With a maximum drilling capability of up to 6 m, the medium and heavy pneumatic rock drills are utilised for blast hole and secondary drilling as well as production drilling in the quarry and dimension stone industry. Stanford underlines Atlas Copco’s a zero-compromise approach when it comes to operator safety and comfort. “We place operators at the core of our tool design.” The pneumatic tools range encompasses a wear-resistant polyurethane silencer that diminishes noise levels by up to 75%. The dust collector utilises vacuum technology to efficiently remove dust directly at the source, safeguarding operators from silica dust by maintaining levels below the permissible exposure limit. These tools are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The pneumatic tools boast a world-class power-to-weight ratio which makes them well-balanced and easy and comfortable to handle. Furthermore, these machines are HAPS™ (Hand and Arm Protection Systems) enabled which lessens the impact of vibrations, making it possible to extend working hours up to six-fold. In order to further shrink vibration and wear, the tools’ piston switches on air-cushions on both ends of the cylinder, almost fully eliminating metal-to-metal contact when working off-load. Atlas Copco supports its handheld pneumatic tools range with a professional service and after-sales service portfolio that includes high-quality Air Line accessories such as air hoses, hose nipples, couplings, water separators and Air Oil lubricants. A range of hydraulic and petrol-driven tools rounds off Atlas Copco’s comprehensive superior quality handheld tools portfolio.  across the globe and we are proud of the fact that our collaboration was immediately industrialised and offered to the global market with the first shipment being consigned to all corners of the globe, including South Africa as the launch customer. “Weighing in at a hefty 24 500 kg the Furukawa DCR22 will be put into service with the launch customer and will in future be stocked alongside our tried and tested Furukawa DCR20 which is a smaller machine and blueprint the new model,” says Jimmy. Smart drilling He explains that the new drill rig’s backbone and mechanical equipment are designed to last in back-breaking African conditions, while its engine and hydraulics have been designed to be efficient and simple for servicing and maintenance on remote sites. However, the new CAN Bus operation transforms the rig into a highly effective and efficient production tool with semi-automated operation providing the operator with all the relevant information required for effective drilling. With touchscreen and redesigned ergonomic controls, the Furukawa DCR22 puts the operator in full command and able to complete shift productively with less fatigue than traditional equipment. This is complimented by its powerful engine and compressor combination that provides its modern hydraulic systems the ability to cycle quickly and accurately in order to undertake drill operations more quickly. Rod changing The production related specifications make for good reading including the machines large air volume that enable fast drilling cycles due to quicker cleaning of holes (up-hole velocity). Its large track frame provides improved ground pressure for stability which means operators spend less time seating the

machine. This brings the mast into action with an effective rod changer that handles 114 mm to 127 mm drill pipes making it ideal for deep drilling. It can also carry eight 114 mm rods of 6 m four 127 mm rods. On top it has a robust new rotary head for better rotation torque with 4 200 Nm of torque for more constant power drilling. This not only assists in improving metres drilled but plays an important role to increase breakout force and as a result increases overall reliability. From an operator’s point of view the Furukawa DCR22 is at the forefront of health and safety developments with a protected cabin that also includes reduced noise and improved interior comfort with fittings that assist to create an ergonomics environment that is conductive to improved all-round productivity. Better than ever CAN Bus system (controlled area network) operation allows for improved data gathering to control all operations with real time drilling information and provides the operator and control room with the kind of information that is needed for better drilling and blasting. “In the 37 years that I have been in the drilling game this is without doubt the most exciting development that I have witnessed, because it merges tough, simple equipment with high-technology controls that really dramatically improve production and efficiency. “It is certainly the most versatile drill rig available with the ability to drill more quickly and deeper than before in operations ranging from production blast hole drilling to presplit highwall support,” concludes Jimmy.  "The new drill rig’s backbone and mechanical equipment are designed to last in back-breaking African conditions."

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD SEPTEMBER 2019