Using drones for powerline stringing
25 Nov 2024
Pioneering drone technology marks a leap forward in safety and efficiency for Yurika powerline construction projects.
Building powerline infrastructure at an operational mine site was made easier with innovative new drone technology by Infravision. The TX system combines a stringing drone with an electric smart puller tensioner bundled into a compact, tough off-road trailer.
On this project, Infravision staff worked hand in hand with the Yurika team, using purpose-built powerline installation drones to string powerline cable across twelve long spans as well as to attach line safety markers. Yurika Project Manager, Mitch Turner says this first use of the technology proved to be a game changer.
Watch the drone stringing in action
“The terrain on this project is very challenging; it’s steep, rocky, and we are working within an operational mine site with plenty of traffic.
“The drones are quiet, unobtrusive to other work on-site, capable of overcoming the difficult terrain, and much safer than any alternative.”
The team were excited to find the drone stringing process to be much faster, and more efficient than expected. Infravision drones have the pulling capability of a traditional helicopter stringing process, but without the hazards or environmental impacts of helicopter use.
“When you try something new for the first time, you can never be certain how it will turn out, but this saved us a lot of time and labour and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
“At Yurika, we pride ourselves on innovation, and we want to help make the work we do safer for everyone,” said Mitch.
