Over the past ten months, IDP electrical and mechanical engineers have worked hard to bring the detailed designs for the 700 Drill to life. Equipment designs were finalized, engineering drawings completed, components ordered, and assembly begun. The winch and tower were fully assembled in Madison, and the electronics hardware and software also made excellent progress. Control system mechanical and electrical features were finalized, and work was initiated on final auxiliary systems such as core handling and chips processing equipment. IDP anticipates the drill will be ready for issue by March 2024.
The graphical user interface (GUI) being developed for the 700 Drill console. Credit: Umberto Stefanini.