Rotary Drilling Rig Operator Training Guide: A Complete Process From Theory To Practical Operation

        The rotary drilling rig, as the core equipment for foundation engineering construction, its operation quality directly affects the safety and efficiency of the project. This guide, based on the principle of "theoretical foundation building, practical operation advancement, safety throughout", constructs a full-process training system to help operators progress from a beginner level to becoming qualified practitioners.

        Theoretical training is the prerequisite for operational safety and should focus on covering three major modules: equipment cognition, mechanical principles, and safety regulations. First, operators need to be familiar with the core structure of the rotary drilling machine, including the power system (engine, hydraulic pump), working device (drill pipe, drill bucket, mast), and control system (operating handle, dashboard), and understand the functions and interrelationships of each component - such as the principle of the drill pipe's extension and retraction, and the impact of pressure regulation in the hydraulic system on the drilling speed. Secondly, they need to understand basic mechanical knowledge, such as the matching rules of torque and rotational speed during drilling, and the requirements for selecting the drill bucket for different geological conditions (clay, sand layer, rock layer), to avoid equipment overload or hole wall collapse due to improper parameter settings. 

        Safety regulations are the top priority in theoretical training. They need to systematically study regulations such as "Technical Regulations for the Use of Construction Machinery" to clearly identify the key points of safety checks before operation: checking the hydraulic oil level, fuel quantity, tire pressure (or track tension), testing the emergency stop button, braking system, and lighting device to ensure they are functioning properly; at the same time, they need to master the principles of risk avoidance during operation, such as strictly prohibiting operations under high-voltage power lines, staying away from the hole edge when drilling, and stopping operations when the wind force exceeds level six, to prevent potential safety hazards at the source.

        After completing the theoretical training, it is necessary to transition to actual operations through simulation to reduce operational risks. During the simulation stage, a rotary drilling machine operation simulator can be used, focusing on training basic movements: First, practice moving and positioning the equipment, controlling the drilling machine to move smoothly by operating the walking handle, using the mast verticality indicator to adjust the drill pipe to be perpendicular to the ground, ensuring that the deviation of the drilling position does not exceed the specified requirements; Secondly, train the lifting and drilling actions of the drill bucket, mastering the force control of the operation handle - when lifting the drill bucket, avoid excessive speed to prevent shaking, and during drilling, adjust the pressure according to the torque data on the instrument panel to prevent the drill pipe from bending.

        The simulation exercises should be carried out in conjunction with typical construction scenarios. For soft soil layers, the "slow drilling and slow lifting" operation method should be trained to prevent hole wall collapse; for rock layers, the switching process of the drill bucket and impact hammer should be practiced to ensure drilling efficiency. At the same time, common emergency scenarios such as drill pipe jamming and hydraulic system oil leakage should be simulated, and the standard procedures for operating personnel to quickly shut down the machine, cut off the power supply, and report the fault should be trained to enhance the emergency response capability.

        The on-site practical operation adopts a progressive training model of "following a senior technician - assisting a senior technician - independent operation". During the following stage, the operators follow the senior technicians to familiarize themselves with the construction site environment, learn the methods of interpreting construction plans, clarify the technical requirements for drilling depth, diameter, and verticality, and observe the technicians' operation skills under different geological conditions, such as adjusting the angle of the drill bucket and controlling the drilling speed; in the assisting stage, they participate in auxiliary operations under the guidance of the technicians, such as connecting drill rods, cleaning the drill bucket debris, and checking the equipment status, gradually familiarizing themselves with the operation process and accumulating practical experience; in the independent operation stage, the training mentors set specific assessment tasks, requiring the operators to independently complete the entire process of operation from equipment inspection, drilling operations to equipment parking. 

        The mentors need to be present throughout the process for supervision, and focus on assessing three dimensions: first, the standardization of operation, such as whether safety checks are carried out as required and whether the drilling parameters are set reasonably; second, the quality control ability, such as whether the deviation of the drilling verticality meets the standards and whether the bottom sediment thickness of the hole is up to the standard; third, the safety awareness, such as whether warning areas are set during the operation and whether emergency situations can be handled in a standardized manner. After passing the assessment, the operators can independently take up their posts.

        The operators of rotary drilling machines should possess both operational skills and awareness of equipment maintenance. During the training, courses on daily equipment maintenance should be included, teaching basic maintenance skills such as lubrication of drill rods, filtration of hydraulic oil, and replacement of air filter elements. The "three checks every day" system (checking the equipment status before work, monitoring operating parameters during work, and inspecting component wear after work) should be clearly explained to help operators promptly identify equipment hazards and extend the equipment's service life.

        At the same time, as the technology of rotary drilling machines progresses, regular skill update training should be organized to introduce the functions and features of new equipment, such as the operation methods of intelligent control systems and data analysis skills of remote monitoring systems. Industry experts should be invited to explain the latest construction norms and technical standards, share advanced construction cases, and help operators keep up with industry trends and continuously improve professional skills to meet the construction needs of different engineering scenarios.