Products

Home / Products / Drill floor operation robot

Product Categories

Drill floor operation robot

Technical Specifications

Drill Floor Operation Robot — Standard Model

Parameter	Specification
Rated payload	1,500 kg (with tool) / 2,000 kg (without tool)
Degrees of freedom	6 axes
Maximum reach	2,800 mm (horizontal) / 4,000 mm (vertical)
Repeatability	±0.3 mm
Maximum linear speed	1.8 m/s
Maximum angular speed	180°/s
Torque control range (make/break)	0 – 50,000 Nm
Spindle speed (spinner)	0 – 80 RPM
Pipe OD range (gripper standard)	2-3/8″ – 9-5/8″ (optional up to 13-3/8″)
Drill collar / BHA range	4-1/2″ – 11″
Thread compound reservoir	20 liters (2 x 5‑gallon)
Mud bucket capacity	25 liters
Power supply	380V / 480V AC, 3‑phase, 50/60 Hz
Installed power	35 kW (peak) / 15 kW (continuous)
Control system	Siemens / Beckhoff PLC + robot controller
Communication protocols	Modbus TCP, Profinet, EtherNet/IP
Protection class	IP65 (arm), IP54 (controller)
Explosion protection	ATEX Zone 1/2, IECEx, Class I Div 1/2 (optional)
Operating temperature	Standard: –20°C to +50°C; Arctic: –45°C
Certifications	API 7K / 8C, ISO 10218 (robot safety), CE
Weight (complete system)	~6,500 kg (arm + base + controller + accessories)
Warranty	18 months from shipment or 12 months from commissioning

End‑Effector Tools (Exchangeable)

Tool	Function	Specifications
Multi‑size gripper	Clamp and hold pipe	Interchangeable jaws for 2-7/8″ to 9-5/8″
Spinner	Spin in/out pipe threads	Hydraulic/electric, up to 80 RPM
Torque wrench	Make/break final torque	Up to 50,000 Nm, ±2% accuracy
Automatic doper	Apply thread compound	Flow‑controlled, contactless nozzle
Mud bucket	Catch mud from box connection	Pneumatic closure, 25L capacity
Slip / elevator actuator	Engage/disengage slips	Integrated control signal to rig’s slip system

Product Types — Drill Floor Operation Robots

Model	Primary Application	Key Feature
DFR-800	Small land rigs, workover rigs	800 kg payload, compact footprint
DFR-1500	Standard land rigs (ZJ40–ZJ70)	1,500 kg payload, full 6‑axis, most popular
DFR-2500	Heavy‑duty land rigs (ZJ70–ZJ90)	2,500 kg payload, dual gripper, heavy casing
DFR-OS	Offshore platform / jack‑up	Marine coating, DNV/ABS certification, ATEX‑rated
DFR-ART	Arctic / low‑temperature rigs	Heated arm, –45°C components, special lubricants
DFR-AI	Full autonomous pad rigs	AI optimization, machine learning, predictive maintenance

Additional configurations:

Single‑arm system — One robot handles all drill floor tasks
Dual‑arm system — Two robots working in coordination (e.g., one handling pipe, one making connection)
Mobile chassis — Robot mounted on rails or wheels to move between multiple well centers on a pad

Applications — Where Our Robot Delivers Maximum Value

Operation	Without Robot	With Robot	Benefit
Making a connection	2‑3 floor hands exposed to red zone; 4‑5 min per connection	1 operator remote; 2‑2.5 min per connection	50% faster, 90% less exposure
Stand building (offline)	Manual handling, separate crew; high fatigue	Robot builds stands offline while drilling continues	20‑30% more rig time drilling
Tripping out (breaking connections)	Hands operating tongs, spinning out, doping threads; high strain	Robot performs all steps automatically	Consistent torque, zero dropped pipes
BHA assembly	High risk due to heavy components (drill collars, stabilizers)	Robot precisely handles heavy BHA tools	Eliminates back injuries, precise makeup
Night shift / reduced crew	Crew fatigue leads to errors, slower cycles	Robot performs same regardless of time of day	Consistent speed 24/7
High‑H2S / toxic wells	Extra PPE, evacuation risk if leak occurs	Robot operates remotely; no human exposure	Lives saved, operations continue
Offshore platform	Cramped space, high consequence of dropped object	Compact robot, remote operation from cabin	Crew out of harm's way
Multi‑well pad (walking rig)	Same crew repeats same motions 100+ times — cumulative fatigue	Robot repeats perfectly every time	Zero fatigue‑related errors

Real‑world result: In Russia's Gazprom Neft deployment, a robotic drilling system (including drill floor robot and pipe handler) increased well construction speed by 33% while performing all tubular make‑up/break‑out, running, and lifting operations without human participation.

Why Choose SJ Petro for Your Drill Floor Operation Robot?

1. Designed by Drilling Engineers — Not Factory Engineers

Our robot control logic was developed in partnership with Sinopec's own drilling crews. Every motion sequence, every torque curve, and every safety interlock has been validated on actual rigs in China’s toughest basins — from the Sichuan shale gas fields to the deep wells of the Tarim Basin. We know what works and what doesn't because we were there.

2. One‑Button Multi‑Machine Coordination

Our control system can orchestrate the entire drill floor automation suite: power catwalk, drill floor robot, monkeyboard robot, iron roughneck, slips, and mud pump sequencing. With a single button press, the operator can execute a complete trip cycle — from pipe pickup to connection to lowering — with no intermediate manual steps. This is the "iApex”‑style one‑key linkage that is setting new industry benchmarks.

3. Easy Integration with Existing Rigs

Our robot is designed to be retrofitted onto any existing rig — not just new builds. The base plate bolts to the rig floor structure (or a concrete foundation). The controller cabinet fits in a doghouse or in the driller's cabin. Integration with your existing iron roughneck, top drive, and BOP controls is typically completed in 5–7 days. You don't need a brand‑new rig to get a fully automated drill floor.

4. Built to API 7K / 8C and ISO 10218 (Robot Safety)

Our robots meet:

API 7K / 8C — Drilling equipment standards
API Q1 — Quality management
ISO 10218 — Robots and robotic devices safety requirements
ISO 13849 — Safety of machinery (PLr = e, SIL 2 capable)
ATEX / IECEx — Explosive atmospheres (Zone 1 and Zone 2)
ABS / DNV — Offshore marine certification (optional)

Third‑party witnessing (SGS, BV, DNV) is available at every stage of manufacturing.

5. Global Service & Spare Parts Support

Regional support hubs — Dubai (Middle East), Houston (Americas), Singapore (Asia‑Pacific)
24/7 remote diagnostics — Our engineers can log into the robot controller (with your permission) to troubleshoot and adjust parameters
Critical spares inventory — Joints, cables, grips, sensors, and controllers stocked for rapid air freight
On‑site commissioning & training — Included with every system

6. Backed by Sinopec — The World's Largest Energy & Chemicals Company

As a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation, we are part of a Fortune Global 500 enterprise with decades of operating experience. Our equipment is not "prototype” technology — it has been refined through thousands of field applications. When you buy our drill floor operation robot, you are buying proven, bankable technology.

7. Flexible Commercial Options

Outright purchase — Standard 30/40/30 payment terms
Leasing — Operating lease (12–60 months) through Sinopec’s financial partners
Rent‑to‑own — Monthly payments with ownership transfer at term end
Trial deployment — 3‑month rental with full support; option to purchase afterwards

FAQ — Drill Floor Operation Robot

Q1: What is the typical payback period for a drill floor operation robot?

A: Based on field data from rigs that have automated their drill floors, payback is typically 6–18 months, depending on labor costs, rig utilization, and safety incident history. The robot reduces crew required on the drill floor by 2–3 people per shift, eliminates dropped‑object and struck‑by incidents, and shortens connection times by 30‑50%. For a rig making 50+ connections per day, the annual labor + productivity saving alone exceeds $300,000.

Q2: Can the robot handle different types of pipes — drill pipe, casing, drill collars — without manual changeover?

A: Yes. The gripper features interchangeable jaws that can be swapped in under 5 minutes. For routine pipe size changes (e.g., 3‑1/2″ drill pipe to 5″), the robot uses vision‑guided adaptive gripping — no parts change required. For drastic size changes (e.g., drill pipe to 9‑5/8″ casing), the operator selects the new size from the HMI, and the system prompts for jaw replacement.

Q3: Does the robot work with my existing iron roughneck and top drive?

A: Yes. We integrate the robot with your existing third‑party tools via digital I/O or fieldbus communication (Modbus, Profinet, EtherNet/IP). The robot can call the iron roughneck to make the final torque, or the top drive to spin, as needed. For maximum automation, we recommend pairing the robot with our own iron roughneck or top drive, but compatibility with major brands (NOV, Cameron, Schlumberger, etc.) is standard.

Q4: What happens if the robot encounters an unexpected obstacle or a pipe is misaligned?

A: The robot is equipped with collision detection via torque sensors in each joint. If it hits an unexpected force, it stops immediately and alarms. The vision system also constantly scans the workspace; if a person or obstacle enters the red zone while the robot is moving, the robot automatically pauses until the area is clear (light curtain option). The operator can override and move the robot in manual mode for recovery.

Q5: How long does it take to install the robot on an existing rig?

A: Installation typically takes 5–10 days depending on the complexity of the rig floor layout. Work includes: mounting the base plate, routing power and communication cables, installing the controller cabinet, calibrating sensors, and testing all functions. We work during planned rig maintenance periods or between wells to avoid production disruption.

Q6: What training do you provide for our crews?

A: We provide a 5‑day training program at your site:

Day 1–2: Classroom — safety, robot theory, control system operation, emergency procedures
Day 3–4: Hands‑on — dry runs of all cycles (pipe pickup, connection making, tripping, BHA handling)
Day 5: Live operations — supervised drilling/tripping with your crew operating
Optional: Advanced training (2 days) for maintenance technicians (PLC logic, sensor calibration, diagnostics)

We also provide a full simulator for ongoing training and certification.

Q7: Do you offer a remote monitoring and analytics dashboard?

A: Yes. Our optional FleetView dashboard provides:

Real‑time robot status (position, torque, cycle count) from all rigs in your fleet
Historical performance analytics (average cycle time, uptime, torque deviations)
Predictive maintenance alerts (joint wear, actuator life remaining)
Incident logging (overloads, alarms, manual overrides)

Accessible via any web browser; customizable reporting.

Q8: Can the robot be operated in harsh weather — extreme heat, cold, dust, or salt spray?

A: Yes. The robot is rated for –20°C to +50°C standard. For extreme environments, we offer:

Desert package — sand‑resistant seals, oversized cooling, IP66 protection
Arctic package — heated arm, low‑temperature lubricants, –45°C rating
Offshore package — marine‑grade coatings, stainless steel fasteners, ATEX Zone 2 rating, DNV type approval
Tropical package — condensation‑resistant electronics, mold‑resistant cables