Epiroc has introduced the "Auto-Drilling Assist" system for its SmartROC D65 surface drill rigs. In open-pit mining, the drill bit often gets stuck (jamming) when passing through fractured rock zones with varying hardness. This causes "stuck rods," leading to hours of downtime.
The system utilizes a "Feed Pressure Sensor" and a "Rotation Torque Transducer." The ECU calculates the "Specific Energy" of the rock in real-time. The engineering breakthrough is the "Penetration Rate Logic." When the system detects a sudden drop in Specific Energy (indicating a fractured/soft zone), it predicts a potential collapse of the hole wall.
Instead of waiting for the bit to jam, the system instantly triggers a "Pre-emptive Reverse." It reduces the feed pressure (pushing force) and increases the rotation speed to clear the cuttings. If the torque continues to rise (indicating the bit is trapping), the system automatically retracts the drill string by 10 cm, spins at high RPM to clear the debris, and then advances again. This "peck-drilling" logic is fully automated. Additionally, the system features a "Bit Life Monitor." It calculates the wear on the carbide buttons based on the cumulative impact energy and abrasion index, alerting the operator to change the bit before it fails completely. This automation increases drilling meters per hour by 20% and reduces costly rod recovery operations.
