Resource World Magazine

D E C E M B E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8 www.resourceworld.com 77 from an adjacent hole is remark- able," stated a DET CRC, September news release. Highlights of the trials: • During the trials the the RoXplorer ® CT rig drilled to a 500-metre depth using a continuous, malleable steel coil and drilled ahead with no-one near the drill string and no rod handling, thereby remov- ing the major cause of injury in mineral exploration. • The downhole motors, hammers and bits of the RoXplorer ® CT rig are driven by flu- ids fully recycled using a solids removal unit (shakers, filters and centrifuges). There are no fluids on ground surface, no sump is dug. THE PORT AUGUSTA TRIAL "The first trial in the Gawler Craton near Port Augusta demonstrated that hard rocks could be drilled at rates approaching 100 metres per 12-hour shift, across mul- tiple shifts with excellent sample returns," said DET CRC's Chief Executive Officer, Professor Richard Hillis in a September 4, 2017 news release. Reported results: • The Port Augusta site provided typi- cal, consolidated and lithified Adelaidean cover of the Gawler Craton, including sandstones trending to quartzites and underlying volcanics. The main hole was drilled with a downhole hammer and per- cussion bit powered by a downhole motor. The rig drilled 367 metres in four succes- sive 12-hour shifts, for an average of ~92 metres per shift and at an average penetra- tion rate when drilling of ~15 metres per hour. • This compares with ~25 metres per shift at an average penetration rate when drilling of ~3 metres per hour diamond Continued to page 85 MININGWORLD Caterpillar, a world leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment is adopting industry transforming technol- ogy in order to maintain a competitive edge and better serve their clients. They are looking at how additive manufacturing, or 3D printing as it is most commonly referred to, can best be used to benefit industry. In order to advance industry's exploitation of additive manu- facturing, Caterpillar is training their product design engineers, putting the tools in place to facilitate design for additive manu- facturing and pursuing partnerships with leaders with expertise in printers, printing, design, and new technology. On March 31, 2016, Caterpillar announced the grand open- ing of 3D printing and innovation accelerator. Then Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman said, "The Accelerator is going to move us farther even faster with so many innova- tions. I can't wait to see the results for Caterpillar and for our customers." The 3D Printing and Innovation Accelerator comprises three new state-of-the-art spaces. • The Innovation Accelerator, in Mossville, Illinois is a two- story space where Caterpillar team members can test new ideas. "Upstairs, the teams meet to brainstorm game-chang- ing ideas and explore endless possibilities." Downstairs, in the Maker Space, they experiment with physical materials to rough-model their concepts using a variety of tools. • The Additive Manufacturing Factory, across the hall from the Innovation Accelerator, has both commercial and high-end prototype 3D printers. Caterpillar has engaged in 3D printing technology for years but the new Additive Manufacturing Factory allows Caterpillar "to take this to a whole new level". • The Cat ® MicroFoundry, located in Caterpillar's existing larger foundry in Mapleton, Illinois, enables rapid creation of low-vol- ume castings using 3D printing technology. Caterpillar says, "The work done in this new space will positively – and in some ways dramatically – impact cost, time, quality and waste reduction." Caterpillar suggests that 3D printing technology will, "Soon make it possible for us to print a part, right on the job site". In the meantime, printing low volume service parts is an achiev- able goal. Stacey DelVecchio, Caterpillar's additive manufacturing prod- uct manager, said "We are designing components with our new product introduction process with features that take advantage of this new technology and printing aftermarket parts where the supply chain has been disrupted." n Caterpillar adopting disruptive 3D technology by Kathrine Moore Additive manufacturing factory. Photo courtesy Caterpillar.

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