Simbas

Atlas Copco launches the new Simba series for long hole drilling in underground mines

2001-09-26
After successful test drilling, Atlas Copco announces the launch of a new, improved range of hydraulic top-hammer long hole production drill rigs for underground hard rock mines. The new Simba M and L series replaces the well-proven Simba 1350, and 4350 models.

The M type rigs are equipped withthe COP 1838 rock drill, for hole diameters 51- 89 mm and the L type rigs with COP 4050, for hole diameters 89- 115 mm. The rigs are furnished with drill rods carousels allowing maximum hole lengths of 51 meters. The mine can choose from 5 different positioning systems by selecting a combination of the components i.e. rotary actuator, slide table, pendulum arm etc to suit its drilling patterns.Up to 3 m parallellity coupled with full ring drilling capabilities makes the new Simba the versatile and ideal solution for most drilling demands occurring in Sub Level Stoping, Sub Level Caving or other mining methods using long hole production drilling.

Simba and Boomer — a common concept for precision and intelligence.
At the internal launch to the Atlas Copco’s global sales force, RobertAlmqvist, the project leader, explained that the aim for the new Simba generation has been to further strengthen Atlas Copco’s position as a leading supplier of drilling rigs to the mines by incorporating and integrating features and components of the new Boomer face drilling rigs into the Simbas. By adopting a modular overlap between the 2 product families, assembly lead times at the factorywill be reduced by 20 %. Even more important and beneficial to the customers is the Rig Control System (RCS) using a modular connected digital network CAN BUS which is supervised and controlled from the operator panel and wide screen. This control system was introduced 3 years ago to the Boomers, simplifying all drill functions and trouble shooting. Requiring substantially less cables and hosescompared to conventional rigs, it is easy to detect and correct faulty components and connections.

When a rig leaves the factory, it is not only filled with oil and water, explains Nichlas Radegard, Product Manager Simba, it is also powered by a lot of intelligence, making life easier for the operators and maintenance engineers. Thanks to the modular design, optional automatics and electronics caneasily be added.

Designed for automation
The new Simba uses the well proven computer controlled RPCF (Rotation, pressure control of feed force), introduced at Rocket Boomer M2C/L2C. RPCF means that optimum hole penetration continuously and automatically is obtained, as the system takes advantage of any changes in rotation resistance without jeopardising life of the drill string. The changesin rotation, resistance also controls the impact pressure with a special function. At excessive rotation resistance the anti- jamming function is activated. Smooth collaring is conducted with extreme precision.

To facilitate future data exchange between Atlas Copco drill rigs and customer’s computer system, The Rig Control System is prepared for implementing the coming drill rig profile fromIREDES- International Rock Excavation Data Exchange Standard. As the equipment communicates in one common electronic language, provision is made for operation and comparison of different equipment in multi-vendor installations.

Field experience at Zinkgruvan, a member of the Rio Tinto Group.
Zinkgruvan, in Central Sweden, was selected to pioneer the Simba M4 C. Using 4 Boomers, where of oneL2 C of the new type and 3 Simbas of previous generation, the mine has during the first 10,000 drill meters gained a lot of comparative experience. The mining methods used are Sublevel Open Stoping and Longhole Open Stoping with Paste fill. Longhole Open Stoping with Paste fill was introduced to eliminate the need for post-mining of pillar remnants and due to bad rock conditions. Mining is...