Percussion drilling is a manual technique in which a heavy cutting or hammering bit is attached to a cable and moved up and down rapidly to cut a hole in the soil. This style of drilling requires good pneumatic controls and a reliable, responsive clutch and brake, which are imperative for the constant cycling action.
A manufacturer of percussion drilling equipment recently contacted WPT, wanting to upgrade their mechanical clutch system to pneumatics. The system needed to provide the operator with increased precision and safety during the drilling process. After a technical review of their system, WPT Power’s solution was our Power Grip Clutch and Low Inertia Spring Set Brake. WPT’s Power Grip Clutch and Low Inertia Spring Set Brake utilize an air-tube design, allowing seamless, controlled engagement and disengagement with minimal air volume. During the operation of the percussion rig, gravity will drive the hammering bit into the soil, and WPT’s Power Grip Clutch is used to hoist the bit back out of the hole.
Once the hammering bit has reached peak elevation, the Low Inertia Spring Set Brake engages to hold the tool in position until the next downstroke is initiated. Given that these systems can cycle up to 30 times per minute, the reliability and rapid response of WPT’s clutch and brake assemblies are integral to sustained drilling performance and operator safety.
For more information on any of the features listed above, please contact WPT Power or call 940.761.1971.