Equipped with a completely new carrier, high frequency rock drill, control system and ergonomic cabin, the Sandvik DS512i can offer high levels of safety and efficiency, providing peace of mind for all rock reinforcement operations.

The new Sandvik DS512i is equipped with the new FOPS/ROPS cabin as standard, providing a safe, comfortable working environment for the operator. This reduces noise, vibration and dust levels and improves visibility while drilling and tramming.

Furthermore, the spacious and ergonomic operating environment has an interactive graphic user interface enabling all bolting operations to be performed by a single operator in safety and comfort.

Intelligent control systems assist during drilling, grouting and bolt tightening, delivering high levels of automation. Machine efficiency is further maximised through easy to access service points from ground level, providing rapid maintenance and trouble shooting. The new DS512i comes ready for the AutoMine fleet and information management system and has multiple levels of automation, enabling the correct choice of rig for the specific application.

Sandvik stated that high levels of drilling performance are ensured, thanks to the use of the Sandvik RD314 high frequency rock drill and the drilling control system which optimises drilling penetration rates. The one bolt automation function of the DS512i provides improved drilling productivity and extends operating lifetime of the drilling tools.

The company added that the new bolter has 55% increased operator visibility and 35% higher penetration rates compared to previous models. An upgraded bolting head comes with different bolt lengths providing an extensive bolt selection, whilst the eight-rock bolt carousel ensures that the DS512i can install different types of rock bolts ranging from 1.6m to 6m in length. An automatic resin shooting and cement mixing system further guarantees a high quality rock reinforcement process.

Able to carry a 1,200kg cement silo, the DS512i delivers increased meshing as well as hole angle measurement and an advanced boom manipulator. Bolting head movement is further optimised with new assistive and automatic features.

Designed specifically for tunnelling and mining, the DS512i has been developed based on a modularised concept leading to high levels of parts commonality with the Sandvik DT922i, enabling lower levels of total cost of ownership. The bolter has been designed for the integration of subsequent actions involved in the drill and blast process.

As well as being an excellent bolter for tunnelling, the new DS512i comes complete with certain features useful for mining bolting operations. It possesses several types of bolt length and varieties within the same machine and an automatic cement mixer in parallel with automatic resin injection. Suitable for small and large headings, it can enable high bolting and meshing coverage, with efficient operations being ensured through sharing high commonality of parts with other members of the 400i carrier series.

As well as its performance features, at the heart of the new DS512i are the high levels of automation. These have been developed to suit the specific needs of the customers and come in two packages: Silver and Gold.

The Silver package comprises of ‘one bolt' automation (collaring, drilling, grouting, bolt handling, tensioning) and hole angle measurement. The boom is fully instrumented with indicators for hole angles, tilt and rotation, as well as an advanced boom manipulator, automatic cement mixing and basic remote monitoring, amongst other features.

The Gold package has full instrumentation and fan bolt locations to show one or more bolt fans to the specific mine or tunnel coordinates. iSURE comes as standard along with MWD, Total Station Navigation, Tele-Remote bolting, ‘planned versus actual' bolting (which can be transferred to the control system) and full remote monitoring.