Master Thesis Spring 2026 - Development of Real Time Rock Drilling Simulation Model

Do you want to help us speed up the shift towards a more sustainable mining and construction industry? By doing your thesis in collaboration with Epiroc you will get the chance to be a part of this journey. 

You will work together with experienced and helpful colleagues in an atmosphere characterized by creativity, innovation, and workplace diversity. In your specific project you have the chance to be a part of a challenging and educational experience while growing both professionally and personally.

Functional area: Epiroc Rock Drills AB

Recruiting manager: Hanna Kristoffersson, Group Manager Rock Drills System and Simulation

Phone: +46(0) 19 6707020

Email: hanna.kristoffersson@epiroc.com

Supervisors: maria.pettersson@epiroc.com, sai.shridhar@epiroc.com

Education background:

Mechanical engineering.

Level of thesis project:

Master Thesis.

Number of students in the project: Two students

Target:

In this work, the aim is to derive very fast real time simulation models describing rock drilling using the Hopsan simulation software. The models must be able to handle the different cases that occur during rock drilling.

Background:

Rock drill development is based on different types of theoretical analyses and to a large extent on simulations. Most of these are running far below real time but being detailed enough to evaluate concepts and to decide the design in detail. Large simulation models become more commonly used. Connectivity between different simulation programs is enabled by standardized methods, and the need of faster simulation models even running at real time speed, are requested.

Mission:

The rock drill is attached to a boom of the drill rig which powers it. The existing rock drill models are not well suited for usage when performing drill rig system simulations or trying out control strategies because of the hugely different time constants. Percussive drilling is based on stress waves which have a duration of 0.2 ms, and a suitable time step is smaller than µs. Analyses of drill rig would use the time step in ms range, and the rig control system even larger. This thesis project will serve as a pilot test case and give guidance in the development of black box models which will be suitable to share for analyses of drill rig and automation system analyses using arbitrary software.

Qualification:

Knowledge in mechanics and simulation technique is needed.  It is also valuable to be thorough, a bit stubborn, open minded and appreciate co-operation.  We offer this thesis to two students working together, in the rock drill development department in Örebro for most of the time.

How to apply:

Does this sound interesting, and do you feel this is a match?

Submit your application by logging in to our career site. If you are new to the system, you need to start by creating a profile. Do not forget to attach your CV and a short letter about yourself, describing why you are applying for this thesis. Please note that we do not accept applications via email. One application is enough for both students applying. 

In this process, we review applications continuously and the position can be filled before last day of application. We recommend sending your application in as soon as possible, but no later than December 05. For questions about the application process, please contact Lisa Ström, Recruitment Specialist: lisa.strom@epiroc.com.