Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has launched a new automated drill string mapping system for its underground tunneling jumbos, shifting the focus from manual operator adjustments to real-time rock mechanics analysis. In traditional tunnel excavation, operators must rely on experience to adjust percussion pressure and feed force when encountering changing rock densities, often leading to broken drill bits or wasted energy. Sandvik's new platform utilizes Measurement While Drilling (MWD) technology to continuously read the rock and optimize the drilling process autonomously.
The system monitors the drill rig's percussion pressure, feed force, rotation torque, and penetration rate at a frequency of 100 times per second. As the drill string advances, the onboard edge-computing module creates a highly detailed geological profile of the rock mass. If the algorithm detects a sudden drop in penetration rate combined with a spike in rotation torque, it identifies a transition from solid rock to a fractured fault zone. Rather than forcing the drill bit through the unstable rock and risking seizure, the control system automatically reduces percussion pressure and increases water flushing flow to clear debris.
Furthermore, the system tracks the cumulative energy absorbed by the drill bit. By analyzing the wear trend, the software can accurately predict the remaining lifespan of the tungsten carbide inserts. When the bit reaches 80% of its estimated wear limit, the jumbo automatically halts the drilling sequence and alerts the operator to perform a bit change, preventing a catastrophic bit failure that would leave a broken steel shank stuck deep in the borehole.
Field trials in a deep Alpine base tunnel demonstrated a 15% reduction in broken drill bits and a significant decrease in manual operator intervention. By turning the drill string into an active geological sensor, Sandvik is allowing contractors to adapt their excavation strategy meter-by-meter, drastically lowering tooling costs and accelerating overall tunneling progress.
