Sandvik Innovation Prize 2024 Awarded for Groundbreaking CT67/CT55 Thread Technology

Sandvik Innovation Prize 2024 Awarded for Groundbreaking CT67/CT55 Thread Technology

(IN BRIEF) The Sandvik Innovation Prize for 2024 has been awarded to a team from Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions for their innovative work on the CT67/CT55 thread concept. The team, led by Anders Nordberg, Tomas Jansson, Andreas Norman, and David Wickström, developed a cambered thread design that improves the performance and durability of top hammer drilling tools. The design helps evenly distribute loads, reducing wear, and lowering costs per drilled meter. It also increases safety and tool lifespan while reducing fuel consumption and operational downtime. Recent use of the technology has shown up to 40% productivity gains.

(PRESS RELEASE) STOCKHOLM, 13-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Sandvik Innovation Prize for 2024 has been awarded to a team from Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions in recognition of their groundbreaking work on the CT67/CT55 thread concept. The winning team, consisting of Anders Nordberg, Tomas Jansson, Andreas Norman, and David Wickström, was recognized for their innovative design that significantly enhances the performance and durability of top hammer drilling equipment.

The CT67/CT55 thread features a cambered profile when viewed from the side. This cambered design offers a key advantage: when subjected to bending forces, it helps distribute the load more evenly across the thread. This results in increased coupling strength and a dramatic reduction in wear. The design also addresses issues such as lowering the cost per meter drilled, reducing coupling breakages, improving ease of use, and enhancing safety by minimizing rod and tube changes, while requiring less circuit stock in the mine.

“We’re truly honored to receive the Sandvik Innovation Prize!” said Anders Nordberg. “The extensive R&D efforts, including building and validating simulation models, were crucial to developing this drill concept. Without this work, we wouldn’t have been able to quickly advance from CT67 to CT55.”

Recent applications of the CT67/CT55 technology have demonstrated productivity improvements of up to 40%, depending on local conditions. Such advancements are rare in rock tool development and often set new industry benchmarks. The new coupling design offers significant advantages, including a lower cost per drilled meter, up to 50% reduction in fuel consumption, enhanced ease of use, extended service life, and improved safety through fewer rod and tube changes, as well as reduced circuit stock in mines.

The innovation also addresses the issue of unwanted coupling breakages. Unlike standard tools that often crack in unpredictable locations, leading to costly downtime, the CT67/CT55 threads are designed to fail in small, manageable chippings or cracks. These are easily visible to operators, allowing them to discard the parts before more significant damage occurs, thus improving safety and productivity while reducing tool costs.

“Congratulations to the deserving winners and to all those nominated for their contributions to driving innovation across Sandvik,” said Susanne Norgren, Head of Sandvik’s Scientific Council.

The award will be presented to the team by CEO Stefan Widing in a special ceremony.

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SOURCE: Sandvik AB