Development of a vibration-absorbing handle for rock drills
Date
2002
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Abstract
The transmission of excessive vibration to the human body can cause physical stress that may result in crippling pain or permanent disability. Rock drills are known to transmit high levels of vibration that are difficult to attenuate through conventional approaches to vibration isolation. However, it can be shown that once the ISO frequency weighting has been applied, most of the vibratory effect of the rock drill�s motion is concentrated at the drill�s operating frequency. This observation opens the way for utilizing a concept known as vibration absorption, aimed at attenuating the rock drill�s vibration. In essence this entails using the inertia of a secondary vibratory system to counteract the motion of the handle. This article documents an investigation into the use of such an absorber for attenuating rock drill vibration and demonstrates the feasibility of such an approach. A mathematical model of such an absorbing handle was developed and used for design studies. Based on these investigations an experimental prototype model was manufactured and tested. A significant reduction in vibration levels could be achieved.
Description
CITATION: Strydom, J. P. D., Heyns, P. S. & Van Niekerk, J. L. 2002. Development of a vibration-absorbing handle for rock drills. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 102(3).
Keywords
Citation
Strydom, J. P. D., Heyns, P. S. & Van Niekerk, J. L. 2002. Development of a vibration-absorbing handle for rock drills. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 102(3).