611 Universal Drilling Machine Reliability Modeling and Performance Evaluation in Subterranean Coal Mines

The coal mining business is quickly expanding to meet the increasing demand for coal for power plants. They are introducing a variety of intricate and sophisticated equipment for the system’s mechanization and atomization. The mining industry spends a significant amount of money on this equipment. The equipment’s reliability, maintainability, and availability have all become critical parameters in ensuring ongoing output. The greatest option for mechanization in underground mines for making holes for coal preparation and roof rock support is to use UDM in tandem with LHD. UDM has the ability to drill holes in any direction and at any angle. It is necessary to measure and ensure its reliability to reduce coal production downtime. OEM has designed the UDM to serve at minimum for 8 years of life, 25,000 h of operation, and 473,000 m of total drilling, whichever comes later. The Markov approach was used to assess the UDM system’s reliability by examining the failure and repair rates of seven modules of UDM connected in series, which is novel to this study, as no prior antecedent research has been done in this area. UDM’s reliability declined after 8 years of operation, while its maintainability skyrocketed. The availability of the UDM may be increased from 79 to 88% by lowering the unavailability of hydraulic, electrical, and drill units by 4, 2, and 3%, respectively. This study demonstrates how strengthening the maintainability of the allied system of UDM, as well as resolving operating faults, can improve UDM availability and assure a smooth and continuous production rate in the mines. Highlights The UDM (Underground Drilling Machine) and LHD (Load-Haul-Dump) were introduced as the superior possibilities for mechanization in underground mines for coal preparation and roof rock support, offering the capacity to drill holes in any direction and angle. UDM’s reliability, maintainability, and availability are rigorously assessed using the Markov approach, with a focus on meeting the OEM design requirements of 8 years of service life, 25,000 operating hours, or 473,000 m of total drilling. To evaluate the UDM system’s dependability and how it changes over time, as shown in tables and graphs, it is necessary to identify specific modules within it and their connections, treating them as a series system. Exhibiting how improving system availability by reducing the unavailability of specific modules can have a significant positive impact on the availability of the entire system. Recommendations for specific training programs for UDM operators to help them handle the equipment while it is in use and prevent mechanical damage, improving the machine’s overall safety and dependability in underground coal mining operations.