Sandvik debuts guide adapter to reduce hole deviation

The guide adapter is available for GT60 and T51 top hammer threads in different diameters. Photo: Sandvik Mining & Rock Technology

Sandvik Rock Tools launched a guide adaptor as a new product for bench drilling top hammer customers.

According to Sandvik, the guide adaptor allows customers to reduce hole deviation in challenging conditions by up to 50 percent, as well achieve considerable cost savings.

Significant hole deviation can pose problems for bench drilling companies that operate in challenging ground conditions, Sandvik says. Bad rock, soft rock and deep overburden are a few challenging scenarios that can result in reduced productivity, safety risks and increased tool wear, the company adds.

“We are very happy to be able to offer the guide adapter to customers facing deviation problems in their day-to-day bench drilling operations,” says Fredrik Björk, product manager of top hammer surface tools at Sandvik Mining & Rock Technology. “The guide adapter helps them to increase the service life of their drill string and also reduce the number of drilled holes, as well as the amount of blasting needed.”

The guide adapter also enables customers to achieve greater productivity, longer tool service life and improved safety, Sandvik says. Ultimately, these gains can lead to lower total operational costs, the company adds.

“We have conducted in-depth testing with our customers around the world, and the results really do speak for themselves,” Björk says. “By using the Sandvik guide adapter, our customers achieved a hole deviation between 3 to 5 percent – a reduction by up to 50 percent – and also increased the service life of their rock tools by up to 40 percent. This truly has an effect on both productivity and, in turn, profitability.”

The guide adapter is available for T51 and GT60 top hammer threads in different diameters.