Drilling and blasting machine

2024: Product Announcement

At the end of May 2024, Chinese researchers announced the creation of the world's first drilling and blasting machine, which is said to be able to increase the efficiency of extremely hard rock development by more than 30%. The complex is planned to be used in the fields of water management and hydropower, mining, in the construction of roads and railways.

Specialists from China Railway Science & Industry Group Corporation (CRSIC) and Tsinghua University took part in the project to create the system. The machine uses a combination of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, sensor, mechanical and navigation technologies. Two drill heads are provided. The system combines the capabilities of tunneling machines, as well as traditional drilling and blasting methods.

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CRSIC

Due to its design, the complex can work in difficult geological conditions, such as fault zones and significant deformations of soft rocks. For example, if a machine collides with a large fault zone, smaller equipment can pre-treat the area with an annular cutting head. In the event of a sudden influx of water or dirt, the complex may use its annular cutting head to drain and remove soil, followed by treatment for cementation.

Under favorable geological conditions, the central block of rock extracted during the work can be directly on-site processed into crushed stone for subsequent use. This reduces construction costs and improves environmental performance. It is expected that the new drilling and blasting machine will help solve existing problems that arise, for example, when building long and large tunnels.^[1]

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