This Master Thesis will give Rock Tools valuable input to updated design rules and manufacturing specifications of drill bits. It includes data collection and preparations, test execution, and conclusions/reporting. One part of the data collection is to visit our Production Unit in India to understand the current operation. The project includes exiting opportunities to collaborate with our R&D designers, material engineers, our labs in Sandviken and India and other relevant stakeholders within the Rock Tools family.

About Us
The world needs minerals for the clean energy transition, and at Sandvik Rock Tools we take part in driving the biggest technology shift in the industry by our advanced engineering.  We offer a complete range of rock tools for surface and underground mining, and for construction. With market-leading equipment, expert knowledge in the field, as well as years of research, experience, and customer feedback to back us up, we constantly push forward to ensure safe, sustainable and efficient solutions for our customers, and for the planet.

Background and scope of the project
Rock drilling tools are steel parts with tungsten carbide buttons/inserts. These tungsten carbide buttons/inserts are pressed into the steel body during production. These inserts act like claws or teeth which basically perform the cutting or grinding of the rock during drilling. Thus, it can be stated that the insert pressing operation and the parameters associated with it are important factors determining the life and performance of the product. 

The pressing operation of these inserts is facilitated using cold press fitting (i.e. room temperature operation using a hydraulic press) or hot press fitting (i.e. using higher temperature with or without pneumatic press) depending on the type of steel being used. The tightness of the insert after pressing is ensured by careful use of interference between the insert and the steel. Interference is the difference between the diameter of carbide and the diameter of the hole in which the carbide is to be pressed. Generally, the carbide diameter being greater than the steel hole diameter. This difference in diameter with the pressing force associated with hydraulic or pneumatic press would initiate stresses in the steel.

Another important consideration for rock tool product life is the total number of inserts present on the rock tool steel body. The total number of inserts will directly determine the quantity of rock being broken down for each blow. And thus, with each carbide the stresses in the insert pressing area would also increase. Therefore, there should be a safe limit with respect to the total number of carbides present for a given area on the product.

Work description

Literature survey on minimum distance between two inserts pressed in steel. Create a Push in – Push Out prototype drawing. Manufacture prototype test pieces. Visit PU Patancheru (India) / Sandviken production facilities to understand current pressing methods. Perform carbide pressing on the test pieces with different iterations. Perform Push out test for current carbide and steel combination in DTH. Study stresses around Tungsten carbide in steel using XRF machine to determine actual stress values. Summarize a Technical report with findings and suggestions.

Student background
Master of Science in Engineering, Materials or equal. Fluent in English.

Our culture
At Sandvik, we’re tech driven, innovative and entrepreneurial. We believe that success is a team effort so we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where people can be themselves and reach their full potential. So, we invest in supporting each other, learning together and celebrating our differences. Visit our stories hub, LinkedIn or Facebook to get to know us further.

Duration, location and compensation
This is a 20p thesis project. So expected to be executed within half a year. Preferably initiated as early as possibly 2025. The location for this Master Thesis Project will be either in Sandviken or Stockholm. Sandvik Rock Tools will cover the costs for travel if it is needed to visit other facilities. Compensation for the completed and approved Master Thesis Project is 52,000 SEK.

Contact information

If you are interested, please contact Thomas Berggren, R&D Manager Product Line Down the Hole, at + 46 (0)70-234 7609 or [email protected]

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How to apply

Send your application no later than 10th of January 2025. Click apply and include your resume and cover letter in English. Please note that we don’t accept applications by e-mail. Job ID: R0073735.