New Directions in Drilling and Related Activities

This paper will deal with ways of improving drill performance using new material technologies and project improvement through use of lightweight shelters and improved core processing.

Composites play a major role in continuing improvements by allowing increased design freedom. Areas of particular interest are anti-torque springs, drill barrels, and hand auger extensions.

New, stiffer cutting heads with tungsten carbide or synthetic diamonds significantly reduce cutter wear and are cheaper to produce than standard tool steel cutters. Standard rock drilling technology as applied to increasing sample size through interesting areas will be discussed.

The use of high pressure fluid to cut cores can significantly reduce contamination and provides a finished surface for analysis. Cutting swath is limited to less than 0.5 mm.