Atlas Copco Upgrades Drill Rigs to Meet New Environment DirectivesAtlas Copco, the global mining and construction equipment supplier, is upgrading many of its drill rigs and other equipment resulting in a range of improvements for the environment and customers. In a project to upgrade its underground equipment with new diesel engines to meet the latest requirements in Europe (Stage IIIA) and North America (Tier 3), Atlas Copco has redesigned and modified many of its face drilling and productions drilling rigs as well as bolting and scaling rigs, affecting changes that are clearly positive for owners and operators.Apart from the improved environmental impact provided by the new, lower emission engines, the design changes on the major part of the rigs have resulted in better hydraulic and automatic systems, increased safety and ergonomics, easier servicing and better reliability.In making design changes to accommodate the new, lower emission engines, Atlas Copco has been able to use the opportunity to redesign and modify a great many details that give improvements and benefit to the users. Designers have been able to increase the overall strength on several models which means that the rigs can carry heavier optional equipment. Due to new component layout and placement, serviceability and maintainability have been improved. This also enables the rigs to carry more optional equipment.Most of the new installations and upgrades have already been incorporated into the company's assembly system and by 1st June, almost every new product in the project will be built with the upgraded engine installation. Visit www.atlascopco.com 21/08.