4 December 2015, 09:47
For a drill rig operator and self-confessed "tech-head" who loves to fly drones in his spare time, Andreas Gundersen from Vestfold Fjellboring AS couldn't believe his luck with recent developments from Sandvik Construction. The very latest in drill rig technology recently arrived in Norway in the form of the Sandvik Construction Dino DC400Ri rig and new remote screen.
Andreas Gundersen was the one of the first to see at first hand the benefits of the very latest drill rig technology when his employer, Vestfold Fjellboring AS, bought its first compact Dino DC400Ri rig. This was used for site clearance work among the rocky outcrops of a building project beside a fjord in southern Norway. This autumn saw the arrival of a dedicated accessory to the Dino, a remote screen and app to enhance remote control working. This combination excited both operator and company due to the possibilities that were now open to them.
Within hours of starting to work with the combination of the Dino and the remote screen, Gundersen, an experienced rig operator, was intuitively finding new ways to better perform many of the tasks needing to be done on the busy site. He realized that many tasks could be done in parallel; this included such activities as marking-up the next drill holes, planning and grinding bits, all while the Dino was drilling. These were accomplished as Gundersen was using the remote small screen to safely monitor the rigs performance as he continuously moved around. This has enabled even a seasoned operator such as Gundersen more flexibility in choosing how to approach the needs of the job on each shift, and secure the most effective and efficient results. These benefits have resulted in overall productivity being demonstrably improved with safety being further enhanced.
The job on which this winning combination has been proving itself has been on the site preparation works for the Brunstad 2020 commercial and residential development. What made the work even more significant is Gundersen's employer, local specialist drilling contractor, Vestfold Fjellboring, which is based in nearby Sandefjord, was the first company to acquire a Dino DC400Ri. This has seen both the company and Gundersen being at the forefront in the use of the new rig and remote screen.
Immediate benefits
The Brunstad 2020 site has seen the Dino DC400Ri with its new remote screen prove to be of great value. A commercial and residential development near Tønsberg, to the south west of Oslo, when complete it will comprise of a shopping complex, a hotel and apartment blocks, all with easy access to the Oslo Fjord. The main contractor on the project is IEC Construction AS. Gundersen's company, Vestfold Fjellboring AS, has been clearing the soil and levelling outcrops of bedrock at building plots as they are released. During its engagement as a subcontractor the company has been working on and off as required over the last couple of years. Hence the flexibility and productivity of the Dino DC400Ri has proved essential.
Vestfold Fjellboring AS now operates two Dino DC400Ri rigs, with one being used at the Brunstad 2020 project since February 2015. Since using the rig on site Gundersen has found the machine to be powerful and compact. "It is neat as the boom and feed folds down so well. The Dino DC400Ri is very effective, it's magnificent." He says. Gundersen also found the Dino DC400Ri with its crawler tracks to be very maneuverable in the tight plots with undulating bedrock. He is able to operate the Dino by remote control, using the shoulder-suspended operation console, standing reasonably near the rig-mounted, fixed screen on the front of the main body.
Although the Dino DC400Ri is now in production, Gundersen actually received the first module off the production line. He also appreciated the opportunity of being involved with Sandvik through giving feedback on the rig which was used by Sandvik to refine and further improve its operation. Through that close liaison with Sandvik he became very interested in the next step in Dino technology; the possibility of not needing to always stand close to the rig to see the screen data. This autumn that possibility became a reality with the field test program of the remote screen, allowing him to step away from the machine, yet step up the productivity of the job as a whole.
Remote Screen: a new way of control
In order to provide new and enhanced remote control capability to help drilling rig operators, Sandvik has created an app that is installed on an ordinary Android phone. All a rig operator needs to do is to click the phone into place on a mobile grip, itself locked to the operation console hanging from the shoulder, and then simply tap the app and the remote screen is ready to go. As the operator moves around, choosing to be either near or far from the Dino DC400Ri, the operator gets the same key drilling data to read on the phone screen, just like standing by the rig. The information and data come over a secure wireless link from a small transmitter added on to the Dino.
In order to improve the remote screen functionality even further, Sandvik established a beta test program where customers were invited to be part of the product development process. Vestfold Fjellboring AS was in fact the first company to receive the remote screen as part of the test program. Following these customer field tests Sandvik aims to have the remote screen available in 2016 as an optional extra for the Dino DC400Ri.
What makes it such a valuable addition is that the remote screen really improves the productivity on a job. This is done by freeing up time, enabling the operator to simply to do more. This "freedom" facilitates choices. "An experienced operator will be making new ones (choices) within only hours, if that." Says Gundersen. "The key challenge, actually, is learning how to combine the drilling job with also doing the many other tasks it is now possible to do." On marking-up, for example, Gundersen can be away from the Dino to set out the positions of the next holes to be drilled while the rig is on one at its current bore and he can check the data on phone screen. "It's the same when doing other tasks, including performing maintenance." He adds.
For a self-confessed tech-head, the equipment is heaven. Gundersen says, he is, "Very happy – it's a great equipment system." But, as he readily admits, it is very easy and fast to learn: "It's simple. It is the same information as before but just transferred wirelessly to the screen." The challenge for the operator is not about learning technology, but to decide how best to use the time the system has freed. In effect, with so many choices presented by the combination of Dino DC400Ri and its remote screen, there is no need for operators to go deep into technology, but instead to call upon their own practical experience in how best to run a site.
Gundersen comments that the Dino with its remote screen allows the combined tasks to be completed faster overall and, therefore, work on the other contract activities enabling an earlier completion. This results in jobs being finished sooner, which can offer scope to move the equipment to other sites. Potentially, contractors can obtain a greater return on investment on the equipment, even though the core task of drilling is not significantly faster than having the Dino alone. It is not the single hole that is faster but the contracted job in its entirety, thanks to freeing up of operator time enabling experienced rig operators to successfully multi-task.
The benefits are by no means only about overall productivity as operational safety is significantly enhanced. "Most definitely the combined system of the Dino and remote screen increases safety in the construction operations on a site, and not only by being able to stand farther away. The distance helps the operator to avoid dust and rock splinters during drilling, and it also affords a wider view to observe the immediate site and surroundings all around." Gundersen says.
Gundersen's familiarity with drones may mean remote screen technology is something he already enjoys, but it is helping him achieve so much more in his day job. Additionally the chance to help others has enthused Gundersen who enjoyed the feedback process with Sandvik: "I feel I make a difference." He concludes.
Key features of the DINO DC400Ri
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Hole diameter: 51-76mm (2"-3")
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Rock Tools: R32, T35, T38 rods
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Rock drill: RD414, 14 kW
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Engine type: Volvo TAD570VE, Tier 4 Final
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Engine output: kW105
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Air flushing capacity: 3,5 m3/min, up to 8 bars
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Control method: radio remote
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Total weight: approx. 10,000 kg (without optional features)
Source: Sandvik