SHOTPlus version 6 and above is designed to better support users of the connected BlastIQ System, as well as improvements to existing features for current SHOTPlus users and stand-alone users of the software.
Differences of Version 6 compared to Version 5
1. DIPPlus vs BlastIQ Mobile
SHOTPlus version 5 is heavily tied to the DIPPlus technology. While there is a connection with the BlastIQ System and BlastIQ Mobile in version 5, the connection in version 6 to the BlastIQ platform has increased in capabilities. With the move to version 6, the support for DIPPlus has been removed.
2. Support for Design, Updated Design and Actual Loading
Previous versions of SHOTPlus did not have the ability to maintain the multiple states that a hole goes through during the D&B process. SHOTPlus 5 only allows for the “design” and “actual” states of a hole. With changes in version 6, there is now support for maintaining the design, updated design and actual loading information associated with each blast hole and having the ability to compare these states. The design loading is based on the design parameters, the updated design loading is based on changes in the actual conditions such as hole depth, diameter, water, while the actual loading reflects what was actually recorded in the field including products, weights and top of deck values. This information can easily be accessed through the Hole Table.
Further information on the hole table functionality and the display of design, updated and actual loading can be found here: https://support.blastiq.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042881694
3. Hole History
In SHOTPlus version 5, the only way to visualise the history of a hole and its associated measurements was through a drop-down list in the hole table. This feature was previously implemented to support DIPPlus and was not present on all values associated with a hole. In version 6, there is the ability to pull down all measurements and changes associated with a blast hole. This information includes the value, the username, the timestamp of the measurements and the device name that captured the information. This information is available for both hole parameters (such as depth, diameter etc) and loading information (hole level and deck level). This feature allows users to easily visualise all work completed against a hole and can assist in data interrogation and an incident investigation. More information on the hole history can be found here: https://support.blastiq.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042881694
4. Loading Rules & Initiation Rules
Within SHOTPlus 5, loading rules and initiation design fall within the one tool. This requires users to define the loading design, initiation number and location per rule, including any offset timing required. Loading tables are also written in this same tool to define the loading design to easily accommodate a wide range of hole depths. SHOTPlus version 6 introduces initiation rules, which has also led to changes in how loading rules are written. Instead of defining the number of initiators and location per rule within the loading rule itself, this is now done separately to accommodate changes in hole depth and deck structure changes to introduce or remove primers as required. This feature also means that initiators can more easily be managed in the future when unexpected conditions are met in the field or changes are made in the field to the loading design, requiring a change to the primer number and location (see next section for further information on this). In version 6, tables functionality remains the same. Further information on initiation rules can be found here: https://support.blastiq.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043092453
5. Automatic Reapplication of Loading Rules and Initiation Rules
In SHOTPlus, 5, there is currently an option that you can select to reapply loading rules on import from BlastIQ. In version 6, there is an automatic reapplication of loading rules within the program that are triggered based on any update of actual hole conditions (such as water, temperature, actual collar coordinates, actual toe coordinates, actual bearing, actual diameter etc). By default, this option is active by default.
Initiation rules are reapplied separately to loading rules and will also trigger in response to changes in hole conditions (depth) as specified within the rules. These rules are also applied automatically. A reapplication of the initiation rules can be triggered manually if required through the auto loading function in the tools menu.
A special case to note is that a manually loaded hole will not have loading rules reapplied in response to changes in actual hole conditions as listed above. The designed loading will be respected in this situation; however, the hole will be truncated appropriately or have a backfill deck applied appropriately. In this case, though, initiation rules will be reapplied in response to changes In actual conditions.
6. Import Hole Actuals
This capability previously hasn’t existed in SHOTPlus, but this has now been introduced in SHOTPlus version 6. Users can now import hole actual values, including drill actuals. This is done through the importer functionality.
This feature also supports the import of hole profile information such as measure while drilling.
7. Profile Log Display
SHOTPlus version 5 had the ability to import one value per hole for specific energy. Functionality in SHOTPlus version 6 introduces the ability to import the profile log for a blasthole related not only to gamma information, but also drilling information. This can be done through the text importer. It allows users to import multiple values at intervals along the length of a blasthole to create a profile of the rock hardness associated with it, so that loading can be more accurately tailored to the rock for more efficient and effective blasting results.
8. Filtering
Filtering has been an option in SHOTPlus version 5. This feature related to filtering holes by things such as hole type, material type etc. In SHOTPlus version 6, new filtering options have been introduced. Users can select a filter such as “requires redrill” to better view specific details of a blast at a point in time. The existing filter options around hole type etc remain in version 6.
9. Visibility Manager
While the visibility manager has existed in SHOTPlus for a long time, improvements have been made in version 6 to allow users to more easily compare design and actual values within a pattern. Users have more options to choose whether to display design information, actual information or a combination of this information in relation to Hole collar, design track, drilling track, charging track, dipping track and grade.
10. Hole Volumes & Blast Volumes
Previously hole volumes were done through the volume wizard in version 5. This method had its limitations, therefore in version 6, the standard method of calculating a blast volume has changed. The hole volumes feature is now accessed through the view menu and uses a Voronoi method to calculate the volume. If a blast contains segments, volumes for these are also calculated.
The volume of an individual hole or a selection of holes can also be done through this tool as well. While the volume tool is open, users can select holes on the main window and the volume is displayed in volume tool.
