Assistance Systems
Our assistance systems are the technical solution for an increasingly complex working environment. Bauer operators are already assisted in many of their activities by displays along with fully and semi-automated systems. These can take on monotonous and repetitive tasks, process reliability is improved and ease of use is enhanced. The systems also help to prevent incorrect operation of the equipment, thereby protecting both people and machines. Automatic, fast control and regulation processes increase drilling performance and reduce wear on the equipment and drilling tool. In this way, assistance systems ensure consistently high production quality and efficiency. Responsibility for the equipment always remains with the operator, but an optimal human-machine interface is a strong advantage that Bauer equipment delivers.
Overview of our assistance systems
Our Stability Plus assistant compares parameters that are relevant for the stability of the drilling rig in real time: outreach, mast inclination and upper carriage speed. Using the B-Tronic, the equipment operator can activate the different stabilities and thus achieve higher outreach with lighter equipment and increase the work front by up to 100% with absolutely secured stability.
Using Kelly visualization, permitted locking device positions are shown on the display during extension and retraction of the Kelly bar. The operator identifies the correct unlocking of the Kelly segments, which can prevent potential damages to the Kelly bar or equipment
Automatic control of the optimal winch speed during extension and retraction of the Kelly bar ensures safe lifting and lowering. This provides relief for the operator while also increasing drilling performance and productivity. Decreasing the speed at the joints reduces wear, thereby conserving resources. The safety stop function when pulling up the locked Kelly bar prevents the Kelly from falling through and thus prevents damage.
For fully cased drilling, large drilling diameters and drilling depths, it was generally necessary to use casing oscillators in the past. The result: considerable deterioration in performance and high costs. The Crowd Plus assistance system increases retraction forces through safe and electronically synchronized pulling with the main and pull-down winches.
The limitation of the maximum torque prevents unpermitted loads and resulting damages to the Kelly bar. The automatic torque setting assists the equipment operator when selecting potential Kelly bars and (for gearboxes) permitted switching steps.
The Kelly drilling assistant saves the deviation of the control lever and keeps the speed of the top drive (KDK) and crowd winch constant. The drilling parameters can be adjusted continually to the soil conditions during drilling. This provides considerable relief for the operator, which is especially crucial for longer periods of drilling work in rock or hard soils. At the same time, the drilling performance is enhanced.
The automatic crowd control monitors the pressure of the top drive (KDK). If the maximum value is reached, the crowd pressure is automatically reduced. A crowd pressure oriented based on the torque enhances drilling performance and reduces wear on the drilling tool. This assistant can be used for drilling as well as pre-drilling.
The one-directional spoil discharge assistant automatically empties the drilling tool through a rotational discharge movement of the top drive (KDK). It operates quickly and efficiently, which saves time and improves productivity. Easy, intuitive activation of the assistant and adjustable discharge intervals provide relief for the operator and the equipment itself.
Using the bi-directional spoil discharge assistant, the drilling tool is automatically emptied quickly and thoroughly using an alternating rotational movement of the rotary drive. Particularly for the operation of drilling buckets, optimized emptying provides relief for the equipment operator. Additional bonus points apart from time savings are the increased drilling capacity and minimization of strain on the drilling rig.
The speed limiter restricts the main winch speed while the drilling tool is being pulled upwards using the Kelly bar. This reduces the risk of a partial vacuum or hydraulic ground failure. Specifications can be kept within the limits and documented.
The swivel angle is displayed on the B-Tronic screen. This enables secure swiveling even under tight spatial conditions. If the angle comes close to the preconfigured limits to the left and right of the drilling rig, the operator receives an acoustic warning. This represents a significant gain in safety, particularly for urban sites and sites with limited space. The movement is only switched off with the swivel angle limiter.
The casing assistant achieves optimized turning in and pulling of the casing with an alternating movement of the top drive (KDK). This provides relief for the operator, who can activate the assistant by pressing a button and adjust the rotation interval of the top drive. This uniformity also offers an advantage for the construction of exposed concrete piles.
The equipment mast is automatically positioned at a predefined point. Using the automatic mast alignment with memory function, any two mast alignments can also be saved and approached. This replaces the manual control and fine-tuning of the mast position, facilitates the operator's work and saves time as well as costs.
Activating the freewheel function with this assistance system causes the swivel to be automatically deployed. The result: Rope damages and slack rope are prevented, since the main winch stops when lowering as soon as the tension force falls below the set value.
The B-Tronic screen shows the swivel angle. This enables secure swiveling even under tight spatial conditions. If the equipment comes close to the preconfigured limits to the left and right, the equipment operator receives an acoustic warning. In addition, the upper carriage is first slowed down, then stopped when reaching the swivel angle. This represents a significant gain in safety, particularly for urban sites and sites with limited space.