tap Hole drilling devices of tHe future - HTI - High Tech Industries AG

The tap hole itself is only 45 – 60 mm in diameter.
State-of-the-art equipment manages the drill in
only one to three minutes. Additional the tap hole
drilling devices have to be extremely heat proof
in order to withstand the heat of the furnace of
approximately 800°C.
The special feature of the TMT-BBG tap hole
drilling devices is that they can manage three
things in one go: During the so-called rotary
drilling the boring bar is not only going into the
furnace (like a drilling machine goes inside the
wall) but it is simultaneously going backwards
and forwards with one flap motion. With this
unique retaliation technology, combining the forward-
and backstroke function in one machine,
BBG has established an excellent world market
position for itself. This equipment makes the use
of further machines – without backstroke function
(i.e. in opposite direction) an additional striking
mechanism would be necessary, in order to retract
the boring bar from the tap hole of the furnace.
More than that, with this equipment the
factors time efficiency and ergonomics are of
utmost importance.
The whole life
low in maintenance
Already the previous generation of tap hole drilling
devices was characterized by being able to
open the tap hole with low strike energy, but high
impact rate. Hence, the life-time of the tap hole
itself was consequently extended. Based on the
customer’s demand, to create the existing equipment
much easier regarding maintenance as well
as extending the life-time of wear parts, TMT-
BBG has now developed the latest generation of
tap hole drilling devices. The new models HS 581
and HS 583 (the previous models were HS 571 and
HS 573) will be available in autumn 2011. The
development of two different models is required
by the variety of furnaces, all with specific characteristics.
Easy maintenance for example is achieved
through simpler handling: Whereas with the previous
models mostly the whole machine had to
be dismantled for maintenance, now the various
works can be done directly and the installed devices.
For this purpose amongst others the new
protection cover was developed, which has got
individual doors directly at the crucial places of
the device. This comfortable access shortens
service time substantially. More than that, additional
functions were integrated, which increase
the life-time of wear parts.
Also existing customers benefit from these novelties.
Those, who already have the previous
models, are offered an update by TMT-BBG:
Users of the HS 571 can update to HS 581 resp.
HS 573 to HS 583.
Better safe than sorry …
… is the motto of the daily work life at BBG. Therefore,
each product that is manufactured by BBG
is examined towards it fulfilling the defined requirements.
In order to provide this evidence, all
BBG products are subjected to an individual testing
process. HTI FOR YOU participated in one of
those many tests, who were done at the test
bench of TMT-BBG – a drilling test with the new
tap hole drilling device HS 581. “We are currently
testing the resilience of the new tap hole drilling
device, in order to extend the life-time of wear
parts and consequently to cut the costs for our
customers“, explains design manager Werner
Schantl, who put his 40 years of experience into
the design of the new tap hole drilling device. Also
the improved seals in the gear increase the lifetime
of the wear parts and provide protection of
external influences. The execution of maintenance
works is not only to be done in longer intervals
but also quicker and more ergonomic, all
The TMT-BBG team involved in the development of the new tap
hole drilling device: Oskar Kortan, Stefan Kaindlbauer, Andreas
Breidler, Romain Clesen, Frank Helsper, Werner Schantl, Michael
Wolfsberger (not in the picture)