UFR pitches innovative automated robotic solution for Chilean mine
Universal Field Robots was honoured to present our robotic drill bit replacement solution in response to a real operational challenge from Antofagasta Los Pelambres Mine at Fundación Chile open innovation program Expande‘s Demo Day on the 30th of April 2020.
On the 25th March 2020, Valeria Ortiz from Austrade alerted Universal Field Robots Managing Director Jeff Sterling to an innovation challenge that involved solving an authentic mining problem using automation.
The challenge
The problem with autonomous drills operating in Chile is that the bits require manual changing, which is a particularly dirty, dusty job with high potential for injury due to handling the heavy, awkward 80 kilogram drill bits.
This challenge fit well with our mining product development, so the UFR team set to work and applied ourselves, first by developing a concept and then simulating the solution in a 3D model, which we then turned into a video and submitted to Expande on the 3rd of April 2020. After being reviewed, our solution made the cut, and we were invited to present it to a mining team at the challenge day on the 30th of April 2020.
Our solution
Our submission is now at the evaluation stage, but other mining companies have already expressed their interest.
COVID-19 is challenging us to find alternative ways of doing things and give options to support mines when personnel cannot safely do the work. Automation and robotics will increasingly be needed to drive better outcomes for operators.
Team UFR is up for the challenge!
Universal Field Robots builds robotic machines for various mine site tasks that can be operated remotely, with assisted automation and fully autonomously. The unit that would be suitable for this application is our E20C, based on a Caterpillar 2 ton next generation excavator, upon which we integrate robotics. The unit is diesel powered with hydraulic controls and a quick hitch. The robotic features include a GUI interface, radio joystick control, emergency stop, a safety system with safety controller, mode indication lights, vision sensors, position sensors, remote video camera unit, radio communications and GPS positioning.
The E20C will be fitted with a tool attachment for breaking and handling the tricones. The purpose designed attachment for this application will allow the remote or autonomous handling of the bit, with no people needed to be near operations.
Attachment features include:
– Attaches to the quick hitch and is hydraulically powered.
– Hydraulically driven bit coupling which will fit around the bit and capture it allowing it to be driven to unwind.
– A gripper for holding the bit in the bit coupling.
– A drill string hydraulic clamp that will lock the drill string to prevent it turning when the bit and coupling are turned to unscrew the bit.
The operating process:
1. The drill would park with the drill raised on jacks to its maximum position and the front rubber dust skirt would be raised.
2. The bit would be lowered to be approximately 500mm above ground level with the E20C operating on the bit under the platform.
3. The E20C would carry a new bit in the attachment, drive and position in front of the drill and swing and place the new bit on the ground.
4. Robotic operation would communicate with the drill to find its GPS location to drive and position in the correct location using the E20C GPS.
5. The E20C would swing and move the arm to place the tool around the drill steel and bit.
6. Robotic operation will use the vision system to localise the bit and drill steel to place the attachment over the drill steel. The arm would raise the attachment while turning the bit coupling to engage with the bit.
7. With the bit engaged in the coupling, the drill string hydraulic clamp will clamp the drill string to prevent it from turning and the coupling would be driven with the high torque hydraulic drive (70,000 Nm torque) to unscrew the bit and release it from the string.
8. With the bit free of the string, the E20C will release from the drill rod and remove the bit and place it on the ground. The attachment will then be placed over the new bit and clamp the bit in the coupling.
9. The E20C will then swing and move the arm to place the tool around the drill steel.
10. Robotic operation will use the vision system to localise the drill steel to place the attachment over the drill steel.
11. The arm would raise the attachment while turning the bit coupling to engage the bit with the thread on the drill string and screw the bit in position and tighten it.
12. With the bit in position, the attachment will be removed, and the machine will pick up the old bit and drive clear of the drill to allow drilling to recommence.
