Atlas Copco’s new Rig Control System, the RCS 5, received a bronze award in the Digital Design category at the 2013 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA).
“We’re honoured to be the first company in the mining industry that receives a design award for a control system,” commented Sisirnath Sangireddy, team leader for interaction design at Atlas Copco’s industrial design competence centre. “This proves that our design is recognised as the very best in the business.”
Designed for drill rigs, the new RCS 5 uses a 15 in. touch screen display for navigation functions, while drilling is controlled through two multifunctional joysticks. The system is a primary hardware and software interface used between the rig and the operator. Its main functions include assisting, monitoring and controlling the rig and enabling local or remote control. The system can also log statuses, events and error information for future analysis.
The interface is able to accommodate ambidextrousness, colour blindness and variable light conditions. By using self-explanatory symbols, the solution works globally.
Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward