Abstract: A method of small-charge blasting, a rock drilling unit and a front guide to be used therein. By means of a rock drill machine provided in the rock drilling unit, a hole is first drilled into a material to be excavated and, subsequently, a drilling tool is pulled out of the hole. Next, one or more propellants comprising a propellant charge are fed to the bottom of the hole through a propellant feed channel provided in connection with a feed beam. Then, the hole is sealed and the propellant is ignited, whereupon a high gas pressure is generated, which causes fractioning in the material to be excavated. During the feeding and ignition of the propellant, the rock drill machine is kept in a parallel direction with respect to the hole.

Abstract: A method for small-charge blasting, and a rock drilling unit used therein. By means of a rock drilling machine of the rock drilling unit, a drill hole is first drilled into material to be excavated, after which one or more cartridges comprising a propellant charge are fed through a drilling tool onto the bottom of the drill hole. The drilling unit comprises a cartridge feed station, which is separate from the rock drilling machine and from which the cartridges may be fed into a longitudinal channel in the drilling tool.

Abstract: A method of small-charge blasting, a rock drilling unit and a front guide to be used therein. By means of a rock drill machine provided in the rock drilling unit, a hole is first drilled into a material to be excavated and, subsequently, a drilling tool is pulled out of the hole. Next, one or more propellants comprising a propellant charge are fed to the bottom of the hole through a propellant feed channel provided in connection with a feed beam. Then, the hole is sealed and the propellant is ignited, whereupon a high gas pressure is generated, which causes fractioning in the material to be excavated. During the feeding and ignition of the propellant, the rock drill machine is kept in a parallel direction with respect to the hole.

Abstract: A method for small-charge blasting, and a rock drilling unit used therein. By means of a rock drilling machine of the rock drilling unit, a drill hole is first drilled into material to be excavated, after which one or more cartridges comprising a propellant charge are fed through a drilling tool onto the bottom of the drill hole. The drilling unit comprises a cartridge feed station, which is separate from the rock drilling machine and from which the cartridges may be fed into a longitudinal channel in the drilling tool.