Mobile Case Studies in Success

• Problem: Shramm Inc's drill rig controls required the user to constantly monitor engine horse power and manually adjust the hydraulic actuated levers while drilling to maintain proper system load and drill speed.
• Solution: Utilized electro-proportional controls and a digital interface to automate the drilling process and provide real-time system and vehicle feedback.
• Result: A less experienced field operator can operate the drill rig, and drilling time is significantly reduced.  Operating costs and downtime are reduced by extending the drill bit, tooling and engine life.

• Replaced the manual hydraulic valves with digital multi-axis joysticks and custom Sun electro-proportional control valves, allowing for PLC control while simplifying the hydraulic circuit and reducing piping costs.
• Designed and programmed PLC logic to automatically and continuously:
  • Monitor, recalculate and adjust the drill bit speed and force allowing the drill bit to move at the most productive speed possible without damaging the bit.
  • Regulate the drill rig's cooling fan to the minimum speed adequate to maintain the temperatures of the engine, air compressor, and hydraulic system to reduce fuel consumption and noise.
  • Report real-time Tier 3 engine data and trouble codes for engine load, speed, and service status via the control panel LCD display.

Schramm's original control panel required the operator to use a series of levers, knobs and gauges to constantly monitor and manually adjust the load on the system when drilling.  The new control panel, with PLC logic and software designed by Advanced Fluid Systems, allows the operator to set the drilling parameters and 'walk away'.  The new control system utilizes custom Sun proportional control manifolds and IFM Efector electronics to automatically monitor and adjust the pneumatic and hydraulic load of the system and provide real-time feedback via a color LCD display.

Advanced Fluid Systems wasn't the first to propose drill rig automation to Schramm, but we were the first to take complete responsibility for design and implementation for a fixed price.

We took the time to learn how the entire drill rig operated from the ground up, and partnered with Schramm to develop a unique, integrated solution.