Bolter Carousel Loading for Automated Drilling and Bolting Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drill rigs require significant manual intervention for drilling and bolting operations, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns in underground mining and construction.
Innovation Solution
A drilling and bolting rig with an automated carousel system that rotates consumables into loading positions, a loader arm that retrieves and positions consumables, and a hydraulic circuit for automated operation, enabling fully automated drilling, resin injection, and bolting cycles without human interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention is used for drilling and bolting operations, then operational flexibility is maintained, but productivity is reduced and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The drill rig is equipped with an automated consumable loading system that retrieves consumables from the magazine and loads them into the drill head without human intervention. The system includes a loader with an arm that automatically positions and inserts consumables, enabling the machine to service itself during operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Consumables are pre-stored in a magazine with a carousel mechanism that positions them in advance for loading. The automated system prepares the next consumable while current operations are ongoing, eliminating waiting time and ensuring continuous operation without manual intervention.
2Productivity
If automated consumable loading system is implemented, then productivity is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loader arm is designed as a multi-functional component that can handle various types of consumables (drill bits, resin cartridges, bolts, adaptors, extension rods) through a single loading mechanism. The carousel magazine serves multiple purposes: storage, positioning, and presentation of different consumable types to the loader.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated loading system is divided into distinct functional modules: the magazine with carousel for storage and positioning, the loader arm for retrieval and transport, and the loading mechanism for insertion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together as an integrated system.
3Loss of time
If carousel rotation and loading arm movement are automated, then loss of time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carousel rotates continuously or in smooth indexed steps to present consumables to the loader without interruption. The loading arm moves continuously between the carousel and drill head, maintaining constant motion to minimize cycle time. The automated control system coordinates these movements to ensure seamless consumable replacement during drilling operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances operational efficiency, safety, and compactness by automating the entire drill cycle, resin cycle, and bolt cycle, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic circuit for automated operation
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling and bolting rig includes a carousel rotatable about a carousel axis and including a plurality of stations configured to support a plurality of consumables, one or more actuators, and a position sensor coupled to the carousel. The one or more actuators are configured to rotate the carousel about the carousel axis. The drilling and bolting rig further includes an electronic processor coupled to the one or more actuators and the position sensor. The electronic processor is configured to detect, using the position sensor, a rotational position of the carousel, and rotate, using the one or more actuators, the carousel based on the rotational position of the carousel.