In DTH drilling, the percussion mechanism – commonly called the hammer – is located directly above the drill bit. The drill pipes transmit the necessary feed force and rotation to the hammer and the bit, along with the fluid (air, water or drilling mud) used to actuate the hammer and flush the cuttings. The drill pipes are added to the drill string successively behind the hammer as the hole gets deeper.
[pdf] A down-the-hole drill, usually called DTH Drilling Rig, is basically a mini jackhammer screwed on the bottom of a drill string. The speedy hammer activity breaks hard stone into little flakes and dust and can be dismissed evident by the air exhaust in the DTH hammer.
[pdf] This casing string provides initial hole support close to the surface and generally varies in length from about 30 to 300 feet. The casing may be driven or hole drilled. The casing may be cemented if it is nece.
[pdf]