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NORCAT has completed a
variety of projects related
to mining that range from
development of down the hole
equipment and automated
drill rigs to controllers
for underground locomotives.
Clients have come from a
wide geographical area,
spanning Northern Ontario,
the United States, and the
Dominican Republic.
Electric Vehicle Controllers
Ltd. (EVC) has been
working closely with
NORCAT
for many years on numerous
mining related projects, and
this partnership has
continued through to the
development of joint space
exploration projects. |
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PATENTED
DRILL BITS
In conjunction with
Dimatec
Inc., NORCAT/EVC have developed a variety of patented
drill bits.
One of these is the hydrogeology drill bit
designed to accommodate a sample capture mechanism that
could capture both consolidated and unconsolidated material.
Critical to this patented design is the larger junk slot
size to move cuttings up the auger and prevent bit balling. The key feature of this bit is its ability to drill
multi media in a dry drilling (non lubricated or flushed)
drill mode.
This drill bit was used in the all electric dry hydrogeology
drill a unit which can be used for sampling in confined
spaces where a full scale drill rig can not be accommodated.
The hydrogeology drill has been used since fabrication, as a
test bed for sample acquisition technologies developed at
NORCAT. |
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The Smart Drill project
developed diamond
exploration drilling
technology. Specifically, it
addressed high level
automation issues designed
to enhance the control of a
deep drill (600 metres
minimum) for hard rock
exploration. The base
platform was a Longyear LM
75.
The installed and
commissioned package
automated the control of the
drilling functions and
yielded extensions on bit
life, rod joint wear and
produced some unique control
algorithms, notably
anti-wedging and an in the
hole bit sharpening control.
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In several EVC led projects, NORCAT was responsible for PLC
programming, system requirements and controller cabinet
fabrication. The Dome Mine Controller project resulted in
the development of a complete Radio Remote System for an
underground mining locomotive integrated with brakes and a
motor controller. Installation, commissioning and training
were all part of this activity.
The Tandem Radio Controllers project developed a control
system capable of controlling two underground locomotives
through
one operator. In addition radio remote capability was
incorporated into the design. |
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With the Homestake Simple Tandem project, a complex
locomotive tandem system in place at Homestake Mine was
redesigned. Control components were upgraded and control
programming redesigned to simplify maintenance and reduce
its impact on operations.
Other mining solutions developed include a dip alignment
measurement tool (essentially an inclinometer), a sediment
sampler developed for MNDM and a water sampler. |
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