The new Atlas Copco Rig Control System, RCS 5, and its interface design earned a bronze award in the digital design category at the 2013 International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) competition.
The IDEA competition was established in 1980 and ranks among the preeminent international design competitions.
RCS 5 is a hardware and software interface solution designed for drill rigs. As the primary connection between the rig and the operator, the RCS 5 assists in monitoring and controlling the rig and enables hands-on or remote control operation.
The system also logs events, error or status information for future analysis. The interface is designed to accommodate different scenarios such as ambidextrousness or color blindness of the operator and variable light conditions.
By incorporating self-explanatory symbols, the RCS 5 can be used globally.
Operators navigate using a 15-inch touch screen display and two multifunctional joysticks control drilling. Primary functions for drilling are grouped together on the top of the controller.
The joysticks allow the operator to focus on drilling instead of searching for functions on the keyboard or display. Atlas Copco is the first company in the mining industry to receive a design award for a control system.
