Komatsu to showcase hoseless battery-electric jumbo for underground hard rock mining at MINExpo 2021

Innovation in drilling addresses the common issue of downtime from hose damage

September 13, 2021 - Komatsu will be introducing a new underground hard rock drilling machine with several advanced features originating from customer input and collaboration, including hoseless booms. The ZJ32Bi is a battery-electric, medium-class jumbo built on a common platform for increased user adoption and efficient training. The new machine offers a standard reduced hose configuration - only six per boom - with a hoseless option. At MINExpo 2021, Komatsu is showcasing the new jumbo with two booms and zero hoses.

The hoseless boom completes all fluid and communication transfer inside of the boom cylinder, offering a potential game-changer in terms of automation and productivity. A hoseless boom also eliminates the need to account for hoses in automation algorithms and eliminates wear between the inner and outer boom tubes for improved drilling accuracy over time.

Because of the common platform of the ZJ32Bi, it essentially becomes a multifunction drilling machine.

Other key features of the ZJ32Bi include:

• An intelligent control system that allows for semiautonomous functionality or operator augmentation
• A modular battery-electric driveline with up to 130 kW (65 kW base) of onboard energy for the demanding tram cycles and rigorous hard rock mining
• A newly designed fully enclosed operator cabin with advanced noise reduction, operator ergonomics, double-curved glass with a focus on air cleanliness
• Lightweight, durable feeds in fixed and double telescopic versions, featuring cast polyurethane components to reduce weight and help improve longevity

The Komatsu booth at MINExpo (#7027) will feature the new ZJ32Bi, as well as the company's unified and expanded mining offerings. Additional solutions will be highlighted at neighboring booths for Modular Mining, a Komatsu technology brand (Booth #7671), and Immersive Technologies (Booth #7583) and Hensley Industries (Booth #5401), both Komatsu subsidiaries.

Learn more about the company's underground hard rock drilling offerings.

About Komatsu
Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets. For a century, the company has been creating value for its customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, partnering with others to empower a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together. Front-line industries worldwide use Komatsu solutions to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, maintain forests and create consumer products. The company's global service and distributor networks support customer operations to enhance safety and productivity while optimizing performance.

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