Driltech Case Study

Driltech is a leading manufacturer of quality rotary blast hole drilling machines.


The Driltech multiplex system differs from that of typical Class 1 customers because of the extensive electro hydraulic control requirements. Driltech required proportional control of over 30 separate functions. To accomplish the electro hydraulic proportional control Class 1 employed their Ramp Rate Control Module (RRCM) also known as the Joystick Controller. The RRCM coupled with the Proportional Valve Driver Module (PVDM) is responsible for all electro hydraulic control on the drill, including the propel or tram circuit, the rotation circuit, the feed or pull down circuit and all pipe handling and auxiliary circuits.

The RRCM PVDM combination allows Driltech unequalled programmability of their proportional valves. Each valve can be programmed to operate in two profiles. Within each profile the ramp on/off time, threshold (dead band), the low and high PWM can be set. Each PVDM represents a channel and the PWM frequency can be set from channel to channel.



Driltech chose the Class 1 ES-Key System because it utilizes a Control Area Network (CAN). The Es-Key system allows their entire electrical system, including their electro hydraulic control to reside on the same network.

Driltech really wanted to capitalize the benefits of the ES-Key System by locating all of the operator controls in the seat. This would have been impossible with a conventional system due to the number of wires necessary to control such a complex piece of machinery. Even with the AM/FM CD player installed in the seat there were less than 10 wires that had to be routed through the seat swivel.

After the inputs and outputs were defined, the machine was set up in zones that strategically located the ES-Key nodes close to their operating points. Nodes were placed near the engine, in the seat, at the base of the mast near the hydraulic pumps and on the mast itself. Every possible function was multiplexed, from the automatic ether injection system for cold starting to the pipe handling and drill system functions on the mast.



The Driltech drill has been an excellent proving ground for the ES-Key system. The rugged environmental conditions of the mining industry showcase the reliability of the ES-Key system. Not only are there the typical moisture and extreme temperature concerns, but also the vibration levels reach extraordinary benchmarks. Quality and reliability make Class1 and Driltech a formidable team.