Mining Publication: Sound Power Level Study of a Roof Bolter
Original creation date: January 2006
Authors: JS Peterson, PG Kovalchik, RJ Matetic
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20031470
Trans Soc Min Metall Explor 2006 Jan; 320:171-177
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has initiated a study of a roof bolter to reduce noise exposure to mine roof-bolter operators. An important segment of this research entails determining the affect of various drilling configurations on the performance (penetration rate) and sound power emissions when drilling into granite. Test conditions included using various combinations of rotational speeds and thrusts, using 2.54- and 3.49-mm- (1- and 1 3/8-in.-) diameter hexagonal and round drill steels, using vacuum and wet conditions and using drill media of differing compressive strengths. This paper details the affects of each of these variables on the performance and sound power level emission. When drilling into granite, it was found that wet drilling generated lower sound power levels and performed better than vacuum drilling.
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20031470
Trans Soc Min Metall Explor 2006 Jan; 320:171-177