also used, which makes the RRA easy
to upgrade and adapt to new and more
effective equipment when available.
The system also uses standard
communication protocols, such as PPP
or TCP/IP. With a wireless network
connection to the drill rig, a number of
working procedures in the mine are
simplified and several new features are
available to the mine planning
organisation. The basic mine planning
and control functions can be simplified
substantially by having a direct link to
the machines. Advanced work orders
that previously were distributed at the
beginning of each shift can now be
distributed instantly.
This leads to a more flexible and
adaptable production organisation.
Computer designed drill plans and
work orders that previously had to be
loaded manually with a PC-card can
now be downloaded directly from the
office computer where they were
created. This saves time and personnel
and also allows last minute changes in
order to adapt to variations in geology
and ore geometry. Log files generated
during drilling, also previously
transferred from the rig with a PC-card,
can now be collected from any
computer connected to the network.
This means that information carried by
the log files, e.g. production data,
geological and geomechanical data
(strata recognition), is available for the
entire organisation as soon as the drill
completes its hole/pattern. Manual
shift reports stating number of holes
and drilled depth, etc. can now be
completed automatically from data logs
without human involvement. RRA is
also a tool for more advanced service
and maintenance procedures.
The operation of the rig can be
followed remotely and monitoring of
drill rig status can be made online using
a standard web browser on a remote
PC. ‘Web pages’ are set up that are
similar to the native RCS display on the
rig. Troubleshooting can be done
remotely, using the built-in menus in
the RCS system. This can also be done
by specialised technicians and
engineers at Atlas Copco’s product
companies.
Furthermore, an entire replacement
of the RCS software has been done
remotely from Örebro, the Rocktec
office. The RRA system has been
introduced to a number of
underground mines and construction
sites since 2003, which has eased
implementation in opencast mining
operations.
Wireless remote tramming
The wireless remote tramming function
allows the operator to tram a Pit Viper
from the bench within a 60 m distance.
This will allow an operator to walk all
the way around the machine and tram
the rig to avoid any blind spots, or next
to a highwall or berm to prevent
damage to the machine. This controller
is also equipped with safety triggers, so
the operator must have control of the
unit with his hands to tram the
machine. The function also has an
emergency stop button and engine
speed control and can be equipped
with additional functions when
available.
Teleremote operation
This feature uses the mine’s wireless
network, either 2.4 or 5.2 GHz
frequency, and allows an operator to
use the machine functions from a
remote location, including drilling
RCS shows its flexibility through mine integration and diverse options.
Teleremote office installation. Inset: Wireless remote control, compact portable package.
August 2015
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World Coal
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97
