HMA was founded in 1982 as an agent and distributor for Korea Tungsten. Initially selling tungsten carbide shaped blanks to manufacturers, the business also got involved in metal cutting tools. After several years of development work, HMA received an opportunity to set up a manufacturing operation.
In 1999 Korea Tungsten was purchased by the IMC Group making it part of the second largest carbide conglomerate in the world, and HMA successfully developed its metal cutting agency until 2005, when – after 23 years in the metal cutting business – HMA accepted an offer to sell the agency back to IMC. This freed up resources and gas HMA the opportunity to explore new markets.
The Trenchless market was chosen because it presented unique challenges with a big upside for development. The skills base and manufacturing capability were in place and there was an opening for an Australian manufacturer to service this industry with replacement parts designed around Australian conditions. Using accumulated knowledge and skills, HMA has set up a program to consult local operators and develop products to suit the local HDD market. The first of these products included:
* Rock bits
* Sonde Housings
* Reamers
* PDC and Carbide Tools
Sonde Housings
End loading and standard housings in 75 mm and 82 mm diameter are made from alloy steel and heat treated to promote maximum wear life. The sonde is held centrally in a plastic tube and cooled by the mud as it is delivered to the head eliminating overheating problems associated with side loading housings.
Rock & Pilot Bit
Rock and pilot bits have been developed as a practical alternative to similar products available on the market. While they do not have readily replaceable teeth, they are more robust and less prone to tool breakage. The products can be easily rebuilt on-site and offer impressive performance in hard ground and soft rock formation.
Reamers & Hole Openers
Reamers and hole openers are critical tools in any HDD operation. The selection of the correct type of reamer or hole opener for ground conditions can make the difference between a successful shot and a failure, with the huge range available on the market is testament to this. To date our focus has been around the soft to medium and abrasive rock conditions prevalent in the Sydney Basin. One of the main aims of our development has been to develop tools with easily replaceable cutting edges and/or long life cutters. As a result, extensive use of PDC is a feature of our tools. Unfortunately most popular generic types on the market are not easily reworked or repaired on site, creating the need for a spare or expensive downtime to allow for the reamer to be sent back for repair. HMA’s first development in this area utilised No. 2 Morse taper tools – used extensively in foundation and piling augers. These tools can be easily replaced on site and a variety of different teeth are available for different ground conditions.
PDC wings
Utilising the stems for the Horizontal Technology RockReamers㢠HMA have developed a range of PDC wings to suit. This provides the flexibility to change from roller bits to PDC wings as required, without removing the stem from the drill string. The roller bit wings are simply removed and replaced with compatible sized PDC wings. With a range of wings the diameter can be easily changed with minimal downtime.
HMA said it is happy with the progress it has made over the last year and expects to develop the range further for 2009. The company’s next appearance at the Trenchless conference in Melbourne will mark the first release of its stage 2 range of products.
For further product information contact Stephen Ainge at Hard Metals Australia (02) 9476 6333