New Alpha 330 drilling tool system signals a new era of rock tool economy through increased rod life, more accurate collaring’s and straighter blast-holes

The Sandvik Alpha 330 has been designed and dimensionally optimized to replace the R32 connections, which until now has been the dominant Ø 45 mm system. A key development of this advanced new system sees the drill string rod / bit connection featuring an entirely new thread design. Furthermore the Alpha 330 possesses a shorter thread on the hexagonal rods in the tool system resulting in a rigid, integrated power-pack drill string, which possesses superior resistance to bending stresses, thereby securing perfect energy transfer. As part of the manufacturing process more steel has been used for higher fatigue strength, which further helps ensure exact collaring and straighter holes, as well as delivering a 30-80% increase in rod life.

Designed to boost productivity
Essentially the Sandvik Alpha 330 system has been designed to increase customer productivity; it is able to accomplish this due to inherent benefits derived from the stronger and more rigid R33 thread, which possesses a significantly larger cross-section than R32, thereby making it proportionately stronger. Further improving rigidity, the Alpha 330 possesses a new guiding function located between the rod and bit-skirt immediately behind the thread. This means that the rod cross-section over the guide is now 36% larger (Alpha vs. R32) at the rear of the connection, greatly improving the rigidity of the joint. After the bit-skirt, the rod cross-section increases to Hex-35 quickly, and smoothly, ensuring that the sturdy thread is well guided inside the bit-skirt, offering higher precision in collaring – even in complex rock formations and uneven surfaces.

Customer satisfaction
The reported benefits customers have experienced from using the Sandvik Alpha 330 tool system in global tunneling projects has been staggering: rod life has been extended by at least 30%; as well longer shank adaptor and coupling life spans. These factors alone have seen a reduction in total drilling tool cost by 20%, with additional benefits including high rates of penetration, advanced precision in collaring, superior drilling accuracy, faster and easier uncoupling of bits, as well as reduced machine downtime. Furthermore, the hard wearing and productive features inherent to the Alpha 330 has enabled tunneling projects to be completed in less time.

Summary of key features of the Alpha 330 

• New Short thread design and hexagonal rods result in a rigid, integrated drill string optimized for 43-51 mm drilling.
• The new short thread design offers increased precision in collaring.
• A rigid drill string results in straighter holes, permitting optimum drilling patterns, better hole accuracy and higher rates of advance.
• Exact collaring and straighter holes (essentials for productive drilling) are assured with less over-break and lower overall costs.
• Less downtime of machinery resulting in better scheduling through optimal productivity.

The new Alpha 330 from Sandvik Construction is the latest addition to Sandvik's world leading rock tools range of products that are aimed at enhancing customer's productivity, and efficiency, whilst reducing the overall costs of drilling and tunneling.

For more information, please contact:

Emilie El Tarzi
Marketing Communications Specialist
Sandvik Construction
Tel: +46 (0) 26 26 23 26
E-mail: emilie.eltarzi@sandvik.com