New Sandvik push bore reamer system improves penetration rate, minimizes downtime in slot hole drilling

Sandvik is displaying its latest push bore reamer system at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2024. The system improves penetration rate, minimizes downtime and simplifies in-field service in underground slot hole drilling.

Introduced in February 2024, the tool system includes two Ø740-millimeter push bore reamers — one for upwards and one for downwards push boring — and a fit-for-purpose cutter. Key upgrades include simplified in-field service with bolted-on wing and wear pads and a patented saddle design for better material clearing in the cutter pocket. The cutter itself is equipped with a tougher carbide grade and a steeper cone angle on the shell to reduce skidding and carbide damage. It also features an improved bearing design and more heat-tolerant grease.

Simulations and tests confirm superior quality and productivity, extended service life and less downtime. By reducing hole size from Ø750 to Ø740 millimeters and enabling higher rig capacity, customers also experience increased penetration rates. Less servicing and easier spare parts changes can save an average operation around 180 hours in a year, as these processes are now more than 35 percent faster than for the previous reamers.

"Our customers will experience fewer cutter changes, easier in-field spare part replacements and reduced service-related transportation, improving both safety and sustainability,” said Russell Clayton, Product Manager Raise Boring at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “We also took the opportunity to design both up and down Ø740 reamers to utilize identical spare part components as far as practically possible, and this sufficiently reduces inventory demands when you plan to drill with both reamers.”

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 24, 2024

For further information, please contact:

Russell Clayton
Product Manager Raise Boring
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
email: russell_lloyd.clayton@sandvik.com

Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a global, high-tech engineering group providing solutions that enhance productivity, profitability and sustainability for the manufacturing, mining and infrastructure industries. We are at the forefront of digitalization and focus on optimizing our customers’ processes. Our world-leading offering includes equipment, tools, services and digital solutions for machining, mining, rock excavation and rock processing. In 2023 the Group had approximately 41,000 employees and revenues of about 127 billion SEK in about 170 countries within continuing operations.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, parts, service, digital solutions and sustainability-driving technologies for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, loading and hauling, tunneling and quarrying. In 2023, sales were approximately 66 billion SEK with about 17,000 employees.