Zvikomborero Hweju’s doctoral research develops a digital twin of a diamond core drill. The model is intended to reproduce how the drill responds as control inputs, rock conditions, drill-rod length and tool wear change.
A coupled rock-machine problem
Drilling behaviour is produced by the interaction of the drive system, the drill string, the bit and the rock. A useful digital twin therefore needs to represent both the machine dynamics and changing interface conditions rather than fitting one operating case.
Zvikomborero began with a simplified configuration and is progressively increasing model fidelity. The work uses a drill-rig test setup developed through the SAMERDI AOK project as its initial experimental platform. Controlled experiments provide the reference data needed to calibrate and validate the model before it is applied to less observable field conditions.
Intended contribution
The completed twin could help interpret drilling response, identify changes in rock or wear state and support better control or maintenance decisions. It connects Cutting and Drilling Hard Rock with Utilisation, Performance and Condition Monitoring of Mechanised Mining Equipment in a single cross-thrust digital-twin programme.
Zvikomborero registered for the PhD in the second quarter of 2025. The project is jointly funded by RAMMS and AOK, co-supervised by Prof Stephan Heyns and Prof Abrie Oberholster, and planned to continue through 2027.