• Four M Technologies Private Limited

Micro Align Press

Four M Technologies is a manufacturer of hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic modular fixturing systems. The company has developed Micro Align Press for quality and productivity improvement in DTH bit button pressing. An important tool in the mining industry, the DTH bit houses the carbide buttons, which are actual cutting edges while drilling the mining bores. For many decades the assembly of carbide buttons with the 'bit' was done on conventional presses with bit holding fixtures. The process resulted in premature failure. Button failures in DTH bits were caused by issues like the lack of standardisation, shearing of bore while pressing the button and below par surface finish of the button and bore. If the axis of the bit and button bore were not aligned within 0.01 mm to 0.02 mm, the buttons would get inclined during the pressing operation. The micro align press developed by the company after extensive study of factors resulting in premature failure, offers easy and free movement of all axes to facilitate self alignment when the locator pin enters the button hole. Picking of the axis of button-to-button hole in the bit is ensured within 10 to 20 microns. Rigid and firm clamping of all axis and components in position to ensure coaxial position of button-to-button hole. Guiding the carbide button precisely while pressing into the button hole in the bit to ensure equal distribution of interference zone around the button and eliminating the cause for bell mouth formation in bore. Fast and controlled pressing of button ensuring equal pressing loads and eliminating causes for micro cracks on button. The life of DTH Bit/button life increased by 300% to 500% when compared to earlier conventional methods.