Dyno Nobel’s Ranger: SAFE, SIMPLE, and SMART

Dyno Nobel launched the Ranger at ISEE’s Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique in 2022, and the rollout in the year since has been a massive success. There are over 114 units currently in the field, and many customers are now moving from NONEL toward electronic detonators thanks to the Ranger’s flexibility and ease of use.

The Ranger is a blast initiation system that was designed explicitly for the open cut, quarry, civil, and construction industries. The multipurpose device can be used as a Base or Bench Ranger to control the entire blast with two channels that can connect up to 300 detonators each for a total of 600. The Ranger also has a robust built-in long-range antenna that can handle even the harshest mining conditions with a range of up to 3 kilometers or 1.8 miles.

The Ranger stands out in the field for a number of reasons. Traditionally, detonators have been assigned a hole location only, and delay times are then set at the time of blasting. The process is often time-consuming and may introduce user errors. The Ranger’s flexible tagging option tackles these problems by allowing the user to assign both hole location and delay time at the hole or, alternatively, assign delay times at any time the user prefers. This feature enables the user to adjust the process to their needs, thus speeding up the tagging process.

The Ranger also offers a “tag by plan” option, which allows users to pre-design a blast plan using the CE4 Tagger or ViewShot Xpress blast application. The user then only needs to align the correct hole with the valid hole number on the tagger. The tagging path is flexible, so adjustments can be made to the plan during tagging and the addition of any new blastholes. This simple-to-use feature significantly reduces the potential for user error.

In addition to its tagging modes, the Ranger offers several key safety benefits. It automatically checks to ensure the correct number of detonators per channel and offers autonomous detection and testing of the detonators. Detonator energy can be monitored right up to the point of blasting for increased safety throughout the entire process, ensuring sufficient blast voltage at each detonator.

“Eliminating misfires is crucial to ensuring safety and productivity,” says Braden Lusk, President, Dyno Nobel Americas. “The Ranger delivers the safety and reliability that customers need by providing both automatic detonator detection and voltage verification in a rugged, easy-to-use unit.”

Austin Powder Launches E*STAR Tunnel

Economical, Easy to Use, and Environmentally Responsible

July 2022. Cleveland, Ohio. Austin Powder, a leader in the manufacture, distribution, and application of industrial explosives and engineered blasting solutions, announces the release of its new E*STAR Tunnel, developed for rapid tunnel blasting deployment while reducing post-blast plastic residue in the muck pile.

Austin Powder is committed to continuously improving its products and is proud to introduce the E*STAR Tunnel detonator as the latest edition to the E*STAR Electronic Initiation System. 

The robust design and exceptional leakage tolerance make the E*STAR Tunnel detonator and the accompanying blasting system reliable in demanding and extreme tunnel conditions.

The newly designed E*STAR Tunnel connector introduces less plastic to the blast site, while the neon colors allow for quick detection, even in a low-light underground environment. "Two of the great features of the E*STAR Tunnel are the economy of the product and the reduction of environmental impact on our customers." Says Campbell Robertson, Global Manager, Electronic Initiation Systems. "Even though the connector and the leg-wire were each designed to have less plastic, it is extremely robust and has proven to be an excellent product." 

E*STAR Tunnel offers delays of up to 20 seconds, allowing customers to optimize timing to solve issues caused by excessive vibration or sub-optimal fragmentation. Using the flexible E*STAR Tunnel timing in the blast, along with accurately timed contour holes, can prevent overbreak, which improves wall stability with more advance per blast. This results in multiple production and safety efficiencies which makes significant positive impacts on every part of the operation.

The accuracy of the E*STAR Tunnel timing reduces scaling times and optimizes energy with significantly less over-break, which positively impacts the bolting and concrete spraying cycles.

With RFID capability and Sections & Intervals, the new Austin Powder programming method is specifically designed for tunneling. Programming and connecting E*STAR Tunnel detonators is a rapid process resulting in faster hole-loading and improved fragmentation with less oversized material. Campbell Robertson explains why. He says, "Unlike typical pre-set pyrotechnic delay periods, any detonator can go to any hole, and you assign your delays based on the sections and intervals you have preassigned on your Logger."

In a recent trial in Europe, customer Jiří Horčička, Project Manager, Metrostav Norge AS, said, "The E*STAR Tunnel system is very intuitive, so it is easy to handle for our blasters. The second advantage is that it has a very low environmental impact, and we as customers will definitely use this system in the future with no doubts."

Join Austin Powder on our mission to improve the world we live in through the safe and responsible use of explosives.

 Austin Powder continues to develop technology to improve the efficiency of blasting processes. The E*STAR Tunnel technology is now available. Contact your local Austin Powder representative for more information.     

The ISEE conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique is going to be a BLAST!

Avoid getting FOMO and register for the conference now!

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Join leading experts in blasting, drilling, vibration and government affairs, attendees from more than 20 countries and over 125 exhibitors at the 49th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique.

Share ideas and discover the latest techniques and technology that will help propel your professional development. Many states recognize ISEE training for continuing education and recertification hours.

Join us at the new and improved Demonstration Stage to view live demos!
 
“The Bench” (formerly known as the Demonstration Stage) provides a platform for exhibitors to showcase and share techniques, strategies, and product innovations in front ISEE 2023 Conference attendees. A live presentation that guarantees exposure for your latest products and services some of the world’s leading experts in blasting, drilling, vibration, and government affairs.
 
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The goal of “The Bench” is to provide an outlet for companies to target their audience in a unique and informative way. Registration for "The Bench" is $350 and includes a Wireless microphone and sound
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We're excited to share the Ice Cream Sorbet Making Class at the 49th Annual ISEE Conference, Monday February 6th at 2pm!

A big thank you to our sponsor Doug Hoy and Sayre Associates

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The Speakers on the Panel

We're excited to share the speakers on the panel at our 49th Annual Conference in San Antonio.

Bill O'Brien

Clark Mica

Kenneth Eltschlager