Furukawa has launched a significant upgrade to its hydraulic breaker lineup with the "Smart Rock" intelligent control system. One of the most damaging events for a hydraulic breaker is "dry firing"-striking the tool steel when it is no longer in contact with the rock. This transfers the full impact energy back into the breaker body and the excavator's boom, causing fatigue cracks and hydraulic shock waves that can damage pumps and seals.
The "Smart Rock" system utilizes two tri-axial acceleration sensors mounted inside the breaker housing. These sensors detect the vibration signature of the impact. When the breaker initially contacts the rock, the system detects high resistance and commands the breaker to operate at maximum frequency and energy. As the rock begins to fracture and disintegrate, the vibration pattern changes. The sensors detect the softer, less dampened rebound vibration and instantly signal the main control valve to reduce the impact frequency and energy. If the tool steel leaves the rock surface, the system shuts down the impact within 20 milliseconds, preventing a dry fire.
This closed-loop control not only protects the excavator but also increases productivity. By matching the impact to the rock hardness, the breaker never wastes energy on broken material. Field tests show a 35% reduction in hydraulic return line temperature and a 20% increase in the lifespan of the tool bush and seal kits compared to standard hydraulic breakers.
