A Brother for Beethoven

Just when you thought the family was complete, the world-famous Beethoven Exploder has a brother.

 Used by miners, tunnellers, demolition specialists and armies, the Beethoven Exploder has been at the heart of traditional wire-based shot-firing for many decades. Now, employing the latest technology, the Beethoven SparkMaster is set to meet the needs of explosive engineers who prefer shocktube-based systems. 

Currently in the final stages of extensive field trials, the Beethoven SparkMaster has been designed with the shot-firer in mind.

  Blasting often takes place miles from base so reliability has to be paramount.

 At around 700 gms, the solid-state unit is easily portable and it’s robust, highly-visible, red case is designed to take the knocks of site life. The Sparkmaster comes with a stout, weather-proof carrying case which includes a pouch for spare ‘sparkers’. In inclement conditions, the SparkMaster can be operated without being removed from the carrying case.

 Instead of rechargeable batteries, which eventually fail (probable far from base), the SparkMaster’s charge is provided by a set of replaceable batteries with a life of some 500 firings. A LED warns when the batteries need to be renewed. 

To avoid dud firings from degraded ‘sparkers’, applying a concept entirely new to the industry, the charge is delivered to the firing shocktube by an inexpensive, disposable, single-use ‘sparker’.

Safety is integral to the SparkMaster’s  design.

 Three LED’s indicate status. Red warns of a used or missing ‘sparker’, orange shows the unit is charging and green advises ready for firing. 

 For firing, the male end of an un-used  ‘sparker’ is pushed firmly into the Sparkmaster and the end of the shocktube is inserted into the open end of the ‘sparker’.The SparkMaster requires two handed operation. The blaster inserts and holds the magnetic safety key in place with one hand and, then, once the Sparkmaster gives the green light, presses the firing button with the other hand. The ‘sparker’ then injects a spark into the shocktube.

 The Sparkmaster cannot be operated without the magnetic key and firing can be aborted simply be releasing the magnetic key and allowing it to be ejected by the spring-loaded mechanism. The main capacitors will discharge internally returning it to a ‘safe’ condition.   

For further safety, the SparkMaster will not function without the insertion of a fresh ‘sparker’.

 As with all Arbra products, to ensure the equipment is maintained to Regulatory Standards, the SparkMaster is supported by back-to-base service contracts. 

The Beethoven SparkMaster will be launched at Hillhead, uk – June 23-26, 2007.  

Arbra Instruments, Advance Spares Ltd. Park Road, Rhosymedre, Wrexham, UK, LL14 3YR, T:+44 (0)1 978 823 900, F: +44 (0)1 978 822 913, Emai: sales@aslgroup.uk.com

MINING TIMES MAY 200