Rock Drill Feed Control Using Idle Force Testing on Feed Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rock drilling systems face challenges in efficiently controlling feed movements due to factors such as friction, wear, and shape deviations on the feed beam, which can lead to inefficiencies and tool wear.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a selectable feed testing mode to measure and compare feed forces against reference values, providing data on resisting factors and allowing for automatic or manual adjustments to compensate for these issues, thereby optimizing feed movements and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If feed testing mode is activated to measure feed forces, then measurement precision of feed system conditions is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensing and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls normal drilling operations, executes feed testing modes to measure feed forces, determines resisting factors, and compensates for feed beam conditions. By making the control system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated testing equipment, thus improving measurement precision while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures feed forces during idle feeding operations, compares them to reference values, determines resisting factors, and uses this feedback to compensate for feed beam conditions during actual drilling. This feedback mechanism allows the system to improve measurement and control precision by continuously monitoring and adjusting based on real feed force data.
2Ease of operation
If feed testing mode is executed manually requiring operator action, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity decreases due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is configured to automatically execute feed testing modes without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system can autonomously determine when testing is needed, activate the testing mode, measure feed forces, and implement compensations during drilling operations. This self-service capability maintains ease of operation while significantly improving productivity by eliminating delays associated with manual testing activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs feed testing and determination of resisting factors before actual drilling operations begin. By conducting preliminary testing to establish baseline feed force characteristics and identify feed beam conditions, the system prepares compensation parameters in advance, allowing drilling operations to proceed efficiently without interruptions for testing during production.
3Measurement precision
If accurate testing mode is implemented to provide comprehensive data, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended testing duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system offers different testing modes with varying levels of detail. The accurate testing mode provides comprehensive data with higher measurement precision but requires more time, while a faster mode provides sufficient data for routine operations. By allowing selective activation of the comprehensive accurate testing mode only when needed, the system balances measurement precision requirements against time loss, enabling detailed analysis without consistently delaying production.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the extent of testing based on operational context and requirements. It can switch between rapid preliminary testing and comprehensive accurate testing depending on whether the drilling operation requires high precision feed force data or can proceed with standard parameters. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maximize measurement precision when necessary while minimizing time loss during routine operations.
4Reliability
If feed forces are compared to reference values to determine resisting factors, then reliability of feed control is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control functions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: it controls feed device operation, executes testing modes, measures feed forces, compares values to reference data, determines resisting factors, and generates compensation commands. By combining these functions into one control system, the patent improves reliability through comprehensive monitoring and control while avoiding the complexity that would result from separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously measures feed forces, compares them to reference values, determines resisting factors, and adjusts feed control parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism improves reliability by automatically compensating for feed beam conditions, wear, and friction variations, while the integration of these feedback functions within a single control system manages complexity through unified processing rather than multiple separate control pathways.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~6
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AI summary
A control system, a rock drilling unit, and a method for controlling feeding of a rock drilling machine. The control system (CS) comprising a control unit (CU) for controlling a feed device (FD) for generating feed forces (F1, F2) for moving the rock drilling machine (6) on a feed beam (5). The system is provided with a selectable feed testing mode (Mft) for feeding the rock drilling machine idle at least in one feed direction (A, B) and to simultaneously determine feed forces required for moving the rock drilling machine idle along the feed beam. The system can compare the determined feed forces to a reference value setting (Ref) for determining factors resisting movements of the rock drilling machine on the feed beam.