Sandvik has launched an updated version of iSURE, its underground rock excavation software that provides instrumented face drilling rigs with the necessary information for optimised drilling and blasting. iSURE works with Sandvik’s i-series drill rigs, providing analytics to improve the work cycle and process.
iSURE (Intelligent Sandvik Underground Rock Excavation) software is a computer program for tunnelling, construction, and mining drill and blast process control. It helps produce data needed for optimising the drilling and blasting cycle and is customisable to the needs of the user and application.
iSURE 8.0
iSURE 8.0 added a template-based drill and blast plan generation tool that takes into account rock blastability, tunnel profile quality target and explosives used. As before, iSURE focuses on blasting design at round’s bottom, as that is the point where blasting is most critical. Existing features of iSURE 8.0 include:
- Counters of rig’s production capability
- Data of how well drilling was done versus the plan
- Realised face shape of the previous round
- Measure While Drilling (MWD) data
- Achieved blasting pull-out
- Presenting scanned tunnel profile and data from geological interpretation.
These features provide valuable feedback that helps to fine-tune the rig’s behavior, while also acting as a learning tool for operators.
New features with iSURE 8.1
Sandvik has committed to providing an updated version of iSURE each year. This is being done to reflect the constant changes that tunnellers face each day. iSURE 8.1 now includes an inbuilt three-day training program to cover steps from simple concepts to the more advanced cases.
Metrics that matter
A key development sees iSURE 8.1 having a toolset specifically for covering ‘advanced metrics’. This consists of production, realised schedule and heuristics analysis of the data addressing the feedback received regarding version iSURE 8.0. They are targeted to improve excavation (face drilling) production capability, plan future activities such as new projects, and to raise awareness when problems or difficulties occur. The metrics have been designed for both mining and tunnelling applications.
Empowered drill and blast
The new and existing features found with iSURE 8.1 are designed to improve the entire drill and blast process through data collection. It will also hint if any rig adjustment is required, or if rig misuse is suspected. It shows the change in rock mass drillability, drill steel consumption, face shape after blasting and scaling, any operator deviation from the plan whilst drilling, and based on scanner data, the realised profile and production volume is shown. All that and more are available directly at the designer’s fingertips, resulting in improved production and productive feedback that can be assessed and built upon, empowering the entire drill and blast process.
iSURE 8.1 is not the final development of this leading solution from Sandvik. New improvements and developments are planned based on further sharing of knowledge and experience with customers and drill and blast professionals globally. Currently iSURE is used with Sandvik’s i-series face drilling rigs, the original construction i-series and newer Bedrock-style i-series, TCAD+ instrument and bolting instrument.
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