Epiroc has expanded its SmartROC series with the D65 Battery-Edition, a down-the-hole (DTH) drill rig designed for heavy-duty quarrying and construction. Traditional drill rigs rely solely on large diesel engines to power the compressor and hydraulic system, resulting in high fuel costs and noise levels. The SmartROC D65 Battery-Edition utilizes a unique hybrid system where the diesel engine is downsized and assisted by a powerful battery pack during high-load drilling cycles.
The system works on an "Electric Power Assist" principle. When the drill requires peak power to penetrate hard rock, the battery discharges to supplement the diesel engine, preventing the engine from bogging down and reducing fuel spikes. During "trammed" or idle times, the diesel engine charges the battery. Furthermore, the rig features a "Silent Mode" where the diesel engine can be switched off entirely, and the rig runs on battery power for non-drilling functions like rod handling and tramming. This allows contractors to operate in noise-sensitive zones or during night shifts without violating noise ordinances. The rig also retains the "Hole Navigation System," which automatically adjusts the drilling angle and depth based on a pre-loaded digital mine plan, ensuring precise blast patterns.
