Pub. 7 2017 Issue 2

18 AT THE CENTER OF UTAH INDUSTRY not only support the late-model rigs but we are out ahead with support already in place for the market’s steadily increasing interest in drill automation,” John Stinson, Business Development Manger said. “At any given time, Cate Drilling, may be rebuilding an Ingersoll-Rand-era ECM-model top hammer drill rig and helping with a customer startup of a Pit Viper rig for fully autonomous drilling.” Two shops – repair and reman In addition to its full-service field tech group, Cate can also fully rebuild any late-model rigs (frame up) and their components in its 14,000 square-foot rebuild shop. Common rebuilds include hydraulic pumps and motors, hydraulic cylinders, rotary heads, airends and gearboxes. Cate also rebuilds undercarriages, transmissions and a rig’s structural features such as rod carousels, towers and cabs. The use of service exchange components reduces time and improves machine availability and productivity. One recent frame up rebuild was a 1998 DM-M3 (pictures) RigScan Cate Drilling uses Atlas Copco RigScan audits that create service efficiencies in the field to speed up time from initial assessment to final customer report. A rig-specific RigScan audit follows an item-by-item checklist designed by Atlas Copco to ensure no item is missed down to the smallest placard or label. RigScan audits eliminate preventable downtime due to safety, regulatory or mechanical issues, and mine customers claim ultimate control of their maintenance budget knowing for certain what must be repaired or replaced immediately and what can wait a while. Today Cate has four factory trained technicians performing RigScan audits to help increase drill availability. Training To help meet the challenge of a changing market, a trainer helps bridge the gaps in rig operation and repair. Training is designed and delivered by Cate Drilling Solutions, the curriculum incorporates the manufacturer’s own driller-training programs. “Our training offers flexibility. Our team can train in the field or in the office,” Stinson said, ”and we can host trainings at our offices.” Another challenge mines face is personnel turnover. Cate Drilling Solutions can familiarize personnel with the equipment, the terminology and the product literature. “We smooth out the transition to an all-Atlas Copco product line. A few hours with us and you can see when the light switch goes on, they get it.” Mine Site Specific Improvements – Bringing All the Pieces Together Matt Willeford gave the example of one Utah customer struggling with low 80 percent mechanical availability rate on their blasthole drilling rigs. “Low availability can be for any number of reasons. We helped identify the reasons and fixed the issues.” The first step was performing rig audits. “The customer just wasn’t completely familiar with the rigs. We discovered easily correctable PM items and set up a ‘PM Assist with Audit’ program for them, which allows us to routinely monitor the rigs and predict part life. This allows us to pre-order parts and install before failure.” CATE DRILLING continued from page 17