Design of a core drilling rig drive
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2026.66.0282Keywords:
drilling rig, electric drive, drilling parametersAbstract
This paper deals with the design of drives for a geological core drilling rig. This rig is a special case since it requires an electric drive instead of a hydraulic one. In addition, the modularity of the rig with a maximal module weight limitation of 50 kg is another challenge.
In the case of the drilling head drive, the problem lies in the use of two different drilling bit materials, depending on the material to be drilled and the chosen tool diameter. This leads to a need for variable speed and torque of the drive. The stroke drive must be capable of traversing rapidly at 3 m min−1 during tool extraction and, in extreme cases, operating at zero speed during drilling.
The first option considered was an asynchronous electric motor. However, due to its high weight and inability to maintain torque at zero speed, it was rejected. The second option considered was an EV motor, with the main advantage being its low weight. However, this option was also rejected as the motor is not compatible with the drill gearbox and it would require a custom-made gearbox, which would make the drill assembly too expensive. The last option considered was a servomotor. Its advantages, including easy PLC control and operating parameters sensing, outweigh its higher price.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Vojtěch Dynybyl, František Starý, Josef Bradáč, Jiří David, Pavel Švec
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
