Epiroc Launches Automatic Bit Changer for SmartROC Rigs

The introduction of the Automatic Bit Changer for SmartROC D65 and D60 surface drill rigs enables automated, hands-free bit replacement to eliminate live work hazards and elevate drilling productivity in surface mining and construction applications.  www.epiroc.com Epiroc has released the Automatic Bit Changer as an optional configuration for its flagship SmartROC D65 and D60 surface drill rigs equipped with the COP M6 down-the-hole hammer. This automated system addresses operational risks and efficiency bottlenecks associated with manual bit handling by shifting the entire replacement sequence away from the immediate drilling zone. Automated Mechanics and Remote Operation The system executes drill bit changes through a single button command activated either from inside the operator cabin or externally via Epiroc’s Common Automation Panel from a remote control room. By removing manual touchpoints with the drill string, the mechanism eliminates operator exposure to high-risk live work environments. The automated sequence selects, adds, or removes bits to minimize equipment downtime, directly increasing total productive drilling hours over conventional manual operating cycles. Ergonomics and Maintenance Architecture The integrated bit-loading deck addresses physical strain by simplifying the reloading of heavy components, with individual bits weighing up to twenty-eight kilograms. This engineering focus reduces heavy lifting overhead and operational fatigue. Furthermore, the hardware layout provides direct service access and high visual clarity during routine maintenance procedures, ensuring that daily servicing checkpoints remain easily reachable. Strategic Industry Impact and Safety Integration The integration of the Automatic Bit Changer marks a crucial technical milestone in Epiroc’s ongoing automation roadmap focused on hazard elimination. By combining automated handling with remote monitoring interfaces, the system stabilizes operational consistency across high-volume surface drilling deployments. Global Product Manager Mattias Hjerpe emphasizes that removing personnel from the active danger zone while optimizing active machine time establishes a new benchmark for profitability and safety in heavy-duty surface mining operations. Additional Context: This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement The Automatic Bit Changer interfaces directly with the rig's automated rod-handling architecture and hydraulic control systems to synchronize mechanical arm movements with the COP M6 down-the-hole hammer configuration. Comparable automated bit-changing systems developed by competitor manufacturers such as Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology utilize similar carousel-based or magazine-fed storage carriers on surface top-hammer and down-the-hole rigs. Quantitative benchmarking against manual bit change routines which typically require ten to twenty minutes of direct operator exposure per change—indicates that automated changer mechanisms reduce total bit-swap duration by over fifty percent while completely isolating personnel from pinch points, rotary head rotation hazards, and heavy rigging strain. Edited by Sucithra Mani, Induportals editor – adapted by AI. www.epiroc.com Powered by Induportals Media Publishing