Hanwha Corp., part of the Hanwha Group, has officially developed the nation’s first machine-guided smart drilling system. This technology allows contractors to enhance construction precision without the need to replace their existing drilling rigs. By integrating sensors and digital guidance equipment into conventional crawler drills, the system provides operators with real-time instructions regarding drilling locations, directions, and depths based on established digital construction plans.
Field Testing and Industry Demonstration
The company’s industrial explosives and mining affiliate, Hanwha Corp. Global Division, recently conducted a live demonstration at a Samho Development site in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province. This event served to conclude six months of rigorous field testing. The research project, supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, aimed to establish cost standards for construction equipment.
Representatives from various public and private organizations attended the demonstration, including the Gadeokdo New Airport Construction Authority, the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport Construction Promotion Group, and the Korea Expressway Corp.
Performance and Operational Benefits
The smart drilling system is engineered to minimize the time required for survey measurements and marking drilling positions. By providing automated guidance, the system helps maintain consistent drilling performance, reducing variations caused by different operator experience levels.
Findings from the Trial
- The six-month trial, supported by the Korea National University of Transportation, analyzed working hours and labor requirements.
- Results indicated that the system reduces preparation time and downtime, significantly improving overall productivity.
- The collected data is intended to support the creation of standardized construction cost guidelines for future public infrastructure projects.
Future Expansion of Digital Solutions
In addition to the smart drilling system, Hanwha Global has introduced a digital platform known as Hanwha As a Total Solution. This platform manages data across the entire blasting process, encompassing design, explosives loading, detonation, and performance analysis. The company intends to continue enhancing this platform while expanding its specialized services for construction and mining sites both within Korea and across international markets.