The company, which said the system permits higher productivity for surface mining and large-scale quarry customers, features components that have been optimised to work together, including a new Pantera DP1600i drill rig, new RD1840C rock drill and new LT90 rock tools. All components have been designed and produced at the company's facilities in Sweden and Finland.
"It is part of Sandvik's commitment to use engineering and innovation to make the shift that will drive safer and more sustainable business," Sandvik said. "In addition to excellent drilling results, it offers an effective solution to reduce fuel consumption and, ultimately, CO2 emissions."
From an efficiency perspective, Sandvik notes that the trio of components at the heart of the system offer a "solid base" for its powerful rock drill to generate an optimum pulse for tooling system. That, then, transfers high-energy shock waves with minimum rock losses to the rock.
Sandvik field tested the Top Hammer XL several times over, and said it achieved more than 100,000 metres of progress in challenging rock conditions. Its tests revealed a 50% fuel consumption drop, as well as a 25% reduction in total drilling costs and 15% increase in productivity over DTH.
About the system's components
The Pantera DP1600i is the most recent addition for Sandvik to the Pantera DPi series of intelligent top hammer drill rigs. It is designed for large hole size drilling and is ideally suited for production drilling in open-pit mines as well as quarries.
It is based on the Pantera DPi series platform, but has upgraded elements to match the needs for the new Top Hammer XL system.
"Together with the powerful RD1840C rock drill and robust LT90 rock tools, the end result is extreme capacity for a larger hole size, without increasing the actual physical drill rig footprint," the company said. The Pantera DP1600i drill rig is available with Tier 3 and Stage 5 engine emission versions.
Next, the RD1840C rock drill, also designed for large hole drilling, has drilling power of 49 kW (66 hp).
Its piston percussion package features a new layout of pressure accumulators to maximise efficiency and minimise hose vibrations.
"The long piston technology generates high-impact energy with optimum pulse form, optimising performance in large-hole drilling without compromising the rock tools' service life," the OEM said. "The geometry and physical dimensions of the new RD1840C rock drill have been optimised for the entire Top Hammer XL drilling system."
The RD1840C will be available with the option for a Sandvik RockPulse tool stress monitoring system. When it becomes available later this year, the system will offer the operator real-time measurement data for drill bit response, tools load and feed level, also tracking stress waves so it can guide an operator to locate the best performance parameters.
Finally, the system's LT90 rock tools, which consist of a shank adapter, MF tube rods and drill bits, offer the user the best drilling dynamics and rock-breaking efficiency.
"Our patented and optimised LT90 rock tools design increases productivity, improves hole straightness and provides great coupling characteristics and a long service life," product manager for top hammer surface drills Fredrik Björk said.
"All in all, this new shoulder-driven system with a double-pass thread gives our customers a much better drilling experience. Combined with Sandvik's class-leading rock tools services, it will truly help our customers reach new levels in their drilling operations,"
The steel shank adapter on the LT90 offers energy transfer from the rock drill piston to the drill string in an optimised manner. With the new MF tube rods, operations can realise a higher rate of penetration, straighter holes and an increased service life.
"The optimised thread design minimises stress levels from bending, and excellent coupling characteristics are seen in the double-pass thread of this tool system. Premium steel grades and heat-treatment processes further improve its durability," the OEM said.
The drill bits are available from 140 to 178 millimeters (5.5 to 7 inches) and can be ordered with standard carbide grades of PowerCarbide, depending on the rock formation, it added.
