Currently, the replacement of the wear elements, tricone drill bit, of the drilling rigs used in open pit mines requires the direct presence of people for the handling of tools and heavy elements. This situation could expose workers to risks such as physical overload, falling objects and cuts from sharps, which must be eliminated.

• Each time the tricone drill bit wear element needs to be changed
• Estimated frequency is 1 time/week.

• Exposure to risk for people during the task of tricone replacement.
• Lower productivity due to possible operational interferences.

This task is currently performed manually, with the use of tools and support systems for the handling and positioning of the tricone drill bit.

No technologies have been tested.

Companies, startups, institutes, research centers or other legally constituted entities, in accordance with the current legislation of their country of origin. Natural persons are excluded in this call. We extend the invitation to promote collaboration and complement technological and/or business capabilities between companies, startups or other entities. For teams and consortia, the responsible institution must be clearly identified in the submission.

• Solutions that are not oriented to the change of drilling rigs tricone drill bit in an automated manner.
• Consulting, advising and engineering study solutions.

Identify technological solutions that allow the change of tricones drill bits in open pit mining drilling rigs by implementing automation. Solutions should be implemented at least on Epiroc Pit Viper 351 rigs for 12 ¼” blast holes or with adaptation facilities.

1. Reduce or eliminate the risk exposure of people in the tricone drill bit change task compared to the current situation (manual change with support tools).

2. Achieve an efficient tricone drill bit change, that is, in a shorter time than the current situation, which is 30 minutes, measured from the time the drill rods are safely lifted and positioned until the equipment is available again to start the drilling operation.

3. Design to be applied to Epiroc’s Pit Viper 351 (PV351) rig and 12 ¼” wellbore. Otherwise, with adaptability for the indicated equipment.

4. With facility for the maintenance of the proposed equipment and/or systems.

5. The solution may consider installation on the drilling rig or as an autonomous system.