posted by Rod McCoremick, Blog author, Fordia Powered by Epiroc
June 18, 2018
At PDAC last March, we displayed and introduced our customers to our tallest crown configuration yet: the Vulcan 40 mm. Our line of Vulcan configurations had included a 16 mm, 20 mm and 26 mm option so this newest addition really took the bar to a whole other level. Many customers were intrigued and had many questions about how to use such a crown. This blog will take a look at the Vulcan 40 mm and how and when is should be used.
First and foremost, the Vulcan 40 mm is not for everyone and should be used in very limited situations by very experienced drillers. As you can expect, the cost increases as the crown get taller because more diamonds are being impregnated into the matrix. As the cost of a 40 mm matrix is high, caution must be used to make sure this specialty product is not damaged and that it does not create potential problems due to inappropriate use.
The Vulcan 40 mm should be used only in ground conditions that are competent, with non-abrasive rock. It is also available in limited sizes and configurations. Specifically, it is available in NWL, NWL2 or HWL sizing in Hero 9 or Hero 11 matrices, in a pie-shape configuration, with 0.125/0.250 water ways. The product is offered exclusively to customers who have experience using a 26 mm Vulcan.
We have had certain customers achieve great results with the Vulcan 40 mm in the appropriate ground conditions and used by experienced drillers. One customer was regularly drilling 150 meters with a Hero 11 in a 16 mm Vulcan configuration in competent, non-abrasive ground that was 6 to 7 on Mohs scale. With the Hero 11 in a Vulcan 40 mm configuration, in the same ground conditions they achieved 534 meters with the same performance. Quite an increase.
The bottom line is that anyone using the Vulcan 40 mm must be aware of the risks of using a tall matrix and accept those risks. We are limiting its availability as it is a specialty product but if you are curious about the Vulcan 40 mm, give our technical team a call or contact us here, to discuss whether your project is a suitable candidate for this product.