Versatile and flexible, top hammer drilling is used by various industries all over the world.The rigs can be taken to challenging job locations, drilling contractors usually have machines available with short notice, and they tend to be cheaper than DTH or rotary drilling rigs.
"On the drilling consumable side, Top Hammer Drilling Method string is also cost-efficient, fast to set up and, with a wide range of available bit designs, top hammer bits can always be optimised for the ground conditions."
The advantages and possibilities of Top Hammer Drilling Method do, however, not just mean a broad range of possible applications, but also an equally broad range of clients and demands. Increased automation, longer bit durability and improved efficiency are among the requirements that need to be met by developers.
Ideal for Mining and Underground Operations
Ideal for drilling narrow and short boreholes (down to 1in wide and up to 40m in length) in hard rock, Top Hammer Drilling Method are primarily used in mining, construction, and for quarrying of rock material.
"Top Hammer drilling should be the default choice for all holes with a width between 1-1/2 - 4in and a depth of up to around 30m. Ground conditions do not impact so much on the choice of drilling methodology, but it obviously has a great impact on the tool selection. An exception to this is speciality applications like tunnel forepoling, where weak ground conditions mean that forepoling is necessary - which in turn automatically calls for top hammer methodology.
Specifically, the Top Hammer Drilling Method is widely preferred and used in underground mining operations because of the possibility of using water to flush out cuttings. Unlike other technologies, which flush with air, this improves the underground work environment by minimising the impact of drilling dust in the air.
On top of this, top hammer drilling allows for a larger number of smaller holes enabling more accurate and controlled blasting, something which is usually highly critical in underground operations.
The challenges and limitations of the Top Hammer Drilling Method
While advantageous in many situations, the top hammer method also has its limitations and drawbacks. One of the biggest challenges is the fact that as the drill string loses percussion energy towards the bit, longer rods will lead to a larger energy loss and less efficiency.
Additionally, the repeated shock waves from the hydraulic hammer on couplings and rods of top drifter drill strings create continuous wear on components, meaning that top hammer drills usually require more consumables in the long run. This also goes for drill bits which, with traditional bits, may need to be changed or sharpened several times during a work session. The requirement for manually operated replacements or upkeep, in turn, works against one of the strongest demands within the industry, especially in underground drilling, namely the demand for greater automation.
New solutions and old skills
One of the requests most often voiced by drill operators is for automated and remote-controlled drilling machines capable of drilling an entire work session before being removed for the blasting operation. But while control systems might theoretically enable this, new solutions are necessary for consumables to practically allow it. flexible and fast to set up top hammer drills are ideal for narrow and short boreholes in hard rockFlexible and fast to set up, top hammer drills are ideal for narrow and short boreholes in hard rock.
For more details visit our website: Top Hammer Drilling Method
Contact: +971 55 9590464
Address: P.O Box 390667, DWC Business,Dubai Logistics city,Dubai - UAE.
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