Electronics the Art of Blasting turned Blasting Science
Transcript of Electronics the Art of Blasting turned Blasting Science
Electronics� the Art of Blasting turned Blasting Science
Sandy Tavelli / John Alkins
The Search for a Better Way
� Detonator technology has evolved
over the decades from goose quills
filled with black powder to computer
chips
� Explosives Engineering has
evolved from what was once
thought only as an “Art form”�into thought only as an “Art form”�into
a science and engineering
discipline.
� What was once only theoretical is
now practical with evolution of
products and timing precision.
A Better Way is here�
� Blast designs that were once
thought impossible are now
quite easy to achieve.
� Explosive energy optimization
is finally able to be controlled
to the exact millisecondto the exact millisecond
� Explosive engineering can
now be used to create “Art”..
So What is an Electronic Detonator
� Three type of chemical
delay detonators on left:
Fuse Caps / Shock Tube
/ Electric Detonators
� Electronics utilize a
stored energy device stored energy device
(capacitor) and
Microchip (ASIC) for
energy to run a timer
� They are NOT electrics
� They are NOT
non-electrics
�
What is Precision and Accuracy
Precise�
Not Accurate
Not Accurate
Not Precise
Average Time
Not AccurateNot Precise
Accurate�
Not Precise
Accurate�
AND Precise
Pyrotechnic VS Electronics� Scatter
�All detonators have some level of
“cap scatter”
�Electronics are measured in micro-
seconds VS milliseconds
�Electronics virtually eliminates
Please note: The pyrotechnics used in this
demonstration include 900ms in hole caps
coupled in some examples with fast surface
delays to represent a worst case scenario.
Dyno Nobel manufactures an outstanding non-
electric product range, which continues to
service the bulk of our market requirements.�Electronics virtually eliminates
scatter < 1ms typical
�There has always been an issue of
design VS actual timing
�Just how important that
becomes�depends on products,
designs, and blasting constraints
�Video of 900ms Pyros VS 1000ms
Electronics
service the bulk of our market requirements.
Pyrotechnic VS Electronics� Scatter
900 ms Pyrotechnic Delays
1000 ms Electronic Delays
0 ms – Time Zero
918912 914 902 918912916 912 908 914
Actual Firing Times
1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
8ms Rule� fact or fiction
�The 8ms Rule is a challenge meet if
using pyrotechnics
�Not to mention not even applicable
anymore if using electronics
�Today’s modeling and field validation
shows that 1 – 2 ms can be very critical
�tst2.avi
shows that 1 – 2 ms can be very critical
for vibration control and frequency
manipulation
�Electronics virtually eliminates
concerns
�“On any given day” proper sequencing
with pyrotechnics is dependent on lot
selection, temps, statistical probability
of the cap scatter
8ms Rule� fact or fiction
Actual Firing Times
1059
966938 972 980 1000916924 1014 1024 1014
1068 1077 1086 1095 1104 1113 1122 1131 1140
909 ms Pyrotechnic Delays - Start
1059 ms Electronic Delays - Start
0 ms – Time Zero
9 ms Delay between each hole
1059 1068 1077 1086 1095 1104 1113 1122 1131 1140
8ms Rule� fact or fiction
8ms Rule� fact or fiction
Putting in all together
�Cumulative effects of both surface delay
detonators AND the In-hole detonators
can have big effect on blast outcomes
�The test demonstration, 25ms between
holes, 500ms in-hole and184ms between
rows Pyro VS Electronic Initiation.rows Pyro VS Electronic Initiation.
�Note the variability in within the pyro
shot.
�What does cumulative error impact?
Vibration�..
� Fragmentation�..
� Wall Stability�..
� etc.
tst3.avi
�tst4.avi
Putting in all together - Pyrotechnics
0 ms – Time Zero
25ms
184ms
46ms 16ms 30ms 20ms 32ms 34ms 20ms
22ms 28ms 34ms 12ms 42ms 32ms 24ms
226ms
Pyrotechnic Delays
184ms40ms 22ms 26ms 22ms 26ms 28ms40ms
226ms
204ms
Putting in all together - Electronic
0 ms – Time Zero0 ms – Time Zero
25ms
184ms
25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms
25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms
184ms
Electronic Delays
184ms25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms 25ms25ms
184ms
184ms
Explosive Detonation� Increased Value
�Another Old Rule of Thumb -
Borehole priming with two primers on
different delays� bottom-hole
priming!
�What if� Decrease the time to �What if� Decrease the time to
detonate a column by HALF!
�What can this mean�? Better
fragmentation�
�Even less potential for borehole
explosive velocity causing
overlapping of energy release
(remember 1-2 ms can make a
difference.)�tst5.avi
Explosive Detonation� Increased Value
Underground Value
�Whether its Horizontal Development
or Production blasting� electronics
provide an even more significant
value and production opportunity
�UG blasting generally relies on LP -
Long Period delays
�Production blasting has always been �Production blasting has always been
limited in size of shots and risk of out
of sequencing of holes in a blast due
to the extreme delays required
�Development blasting and in
particular perimeter holes / timing
control can be greatly affected by
delay scatter
tst6.avi
�tst7.avi
Underground Value
�.
�..\Video root folder\Pyro-t.avi �.\Video root folder\Hybrid.avi
Flexibility of Timing Minimal Storage
Flexibility of Timing Minimal Storage
�One cap needed, just
variable lead lengths in
inventory�
�Total flexibility of timing
design in 1ms increments
�Not locked into a design
even within a shot...even within a shot...
�Finally can execute on any
design and the actual will
match.
�Up to the blast time design
changes��Tst8.avi
Flexibility of Timing
33ms
33ms
Time Zero
66ms
66ms
66ms
3ms
66ms
33ms
7001150 1150
� In addition to Precision AND
Accuracy, one of the most
significant features and
benefits that electronic
detonator technology
provide is their ability to
communicate.
� Communication provides
Communications and Testing�
� Communication provides
the ability to test for
functionality “in the hole”.
� Safety and Security is
increased through in ability
for unauthorized use.
� Communication takes place
with Inherently safe
equipment.
THANK YOU
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