Core in the box determines the exploration drilling company's revenues and the driller's compensation.
 

Drillers are always looking for diamond drill bits with faster penetration rates and longer service life.
  

The efficiency of the drilling tools is often a decisive factor to maintain productivity - and profitability - even when rock conditions change.




To meet these demands, Atlas Copco developed Excore - the next generation of diamond drill bits, offering superior bit life and penetration rate. The testing before launch was rigorous with more than 10 000 m drilled in six different markets with different conditions.

 

Design and metallurgy in harmony

The Excore drill bit technology is anything but a result by chance. The experiences from the preceding diamond bit ranges were substantial and a global team of experts put their heads together to reengineer the bit from basics. The previously most successful bit designs were taken one step further with changes in important details. The revised designs then also required new matrices to achieve optimized balance between design and metallurgy.

Bit life or penetration rate? Why choose?

The design and composition of the Excore bit line offers the world's exploration drillers new levels of productivity in terms of longer bit life and higher penetration rates. With a longer bit life comes, of course, less frequent bit changes and consequently also less pulling of rod. That factor alone saves a lot of time for the driller and more time can be spent on actual drilling.

The higher penetration rate achieved means a lot to the driller, not only from a productivity point of view. When ground is difficult and there is a risk for hole deviation or lower core sample quality, there is a choice to lower the weight on bit (WOB) and still hold a penetration rate equal or better than with other bits.

With less pressure on the bit, it is easier to get straight holes and higher core sample quality at the same time as the wear on the drill string is reduced. Better result at same speed as before.On the other hand, when rock conditions allow the driller to push for maximum speed, the Excore bits will give the driller the best support. All in all - Excore allows the driller to optimize rate vs WOB for best result in any rock condition.

More performance - less bits

Excore is not only a bit of performance. It is also a bit of simplicity. Normally a variety of bits can be needed to stock to be prepared for all possible rock formations on drill site. With Excores unique metallurgy and design, each bit type will cover a wider range of rock conditions, meaning that fewer bit types will be needed on the shelf for any given drill site.

It will also be easier for the driller to select the right bit simply because there are fewer needed to chose from and as each type will do a broader job. The driller does not need to have same experience and knowledge of what's hundreds of meters below him as the Excore bits will help him in his judgment. And - the logistics manager will enjoy less overall inventory with better delivery precision.

For further information please contact:

Gerry Black, Product Line Manager
Atlas Copco Exploration Products
gerry.black@ca.atlascopco.com