Epiroc Powerbit X Reduces Drill Bit Changes

A hundred meters below ground, in the Swedish capital Stockholm, Epiroc says its Powerbit X is breaking grounds in civil construction with its diamond protected technology by drilling 3 250 meters without changing the bit. The civil construction project for the new metro station is being carried out by Epiroc’s customer Implenia, on behalf of Region Stockholm. Playing a part in their operations are the Epiroc machines: Boltec E10 S, Boomer XE3 and Boomer E2.

“The Boltec E10 S is a reliable machine that performs well and the installation quality is higher and more consistent compared to manual bolting. One machine/operator can do what four people and four machines did before. But despite an efficient machine, we still have to stop production to change the drill bit every so often.” sais Kalle Ville Pellinen, operator Implenia.

With each drill bit being changed every 60-70 meters; Epiroc introduced Implenia to the Epiroc Powerbit X, with diamond-protected technology, as a solution to reduce drill bit changes and help them increase productivity and overall safety for their operators.

“We identified the drill bit changes as an area where we could help Implenia increase their productivity and brought two bits to trial. This was the first time we used the Epiroc Powerbit X in a bolting or ground support application, and these two bits have surpassed all our expectations and the results are remarkable” said Mattias L Andersson, Epiroc Rock Drilling Tools Contract and Sales Representative.

For more information: https://www.epiroc.com/en-za/products/rock-drilling-tools