It has been developed with special features that control power and ensure this power is transmitted into the rock as efficiently, accurately and economically as possible.
The company says that in tests, in varying rock conditions, the new design has been proven to deliver a 30-80% increase in rod life; provide more accurate collaring and straighter blast-holes, thereby delivering greater advancement and improved profile control. This enables projects to be completed more rapidly, as well as reducing the overall cost of drilling and tunnelling, says Sandvik.
The Sandvik Alpha 330 has been designed and dimensionally optimised to replace the R32 connections, which until now has been the dominant Ø 45mm system.
“A key development of this advanced new system sees the drill string rod/bit connection featuring an entirely new thread design. Furthermore the Alpha 330 possesses a shorter thread on the hexagonal rods in the tool system resulting in a rigid, integrated power-pack drill string, which possesses superior resistance to bending stresses, thereby securing perfect energy transfer,” says Sandvik.
“As part of the manufacturing process more steel has been used for higher fatigue strength, which further helps ensure exact collaring and straighter holes, as well as delivering a 30-80% increase in rod life.”
Customer feedback on the Sandvik Alpha 330 tool system in global tunnelling projects is said to have shown rod life has been extended by at least 30% and longer shank adaptor and coupling lifespans.
Stand: F6.616/1
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