Let's go sonic: Conrad Stanen and TALPA collaborate on sonic drilling

Conrad Stanen and TALPA Sonic Drilling Products jointly introduce the Boxer 150 SNC: a fully integrated sonic drilling rig built on Conrad’s proven Boxer 150 platform. The rig is equipped with the TALPA Pro-Sonic 190 drill head, which delivers 190 kN of sonic force at 150 Hz. Rod and casing handling is also on board.

One complete drilling system

This collaboration brings together two kinds of expertise. Conrad contributes its expertise in drilling-rig design and manufacturing. TALPA contributes its practical experience in sonic drilling, sampling and tooling. The result is a drilling system in which the rig, drill head, hydraulics, controls, handling equipment and tooling work together.

‘This move towards sonic rigs was just a matter of time and fits perfectly with our sustainable, innovative goals,’ says Bram Muurlink, Head of Innovation at Conrad.

Built around the drilling process

The Boxer 150 SNC was developed with the entire drilling process as its starting point. That process begins with positioning the machine and preparing the site. It continues with handling rods and casings and recovering samples. The design therefore looks beyond drilling performance alone, to what everyday work demands in practice.

‘A sonic drilling rig should be engineered as a complete system, with the drill head, mast, hydraulics, controls, handling system and tooling working together,’ says Henk Nijmeijers, CEO of TALPA. ‘Conrad and TALPA share a clear vision of what such a machine should look like. Not just on paper, but in the field.’

Rods and casings on board

Drill rods and casings are stored together in the machine’s on-board rack. A single manipulator picks up either size and positions it beneath the drill head. The handling arm moves towards the head, so the heavy sonic head does not need to be moved sideways across the mast.

Rod and casing handling is therefore built into the machine’s design. It is not a separate operation that requires additional equipment alongside the rig.

Travel, setup and all drilling functions are operated by radio remote control. This lets the operator control the machine from a suitable working position.

Less handling. More drilling.

Rods, casings and handling equipment are carried on board. As a result, less time is needed to arrange separate racks and support equipment before drilling begins. The integrated layout also reduces movements around the rig, which keeps the working area compact and organised.

Because rod and casing handling is mechanised, the crew needs to do less manual lifting. There is also less need for direct contact with heavy steel components. This supports a more efficient drilling cycle and reduces the physical demands on the crew.

‘With this sonic drilling machine, drillmasters save time, manpower, and minimize safety risks. The latter is especially valuable in areas where traditional drilling techniques can be difficult or dangerous. Additionally, sonic drilling helps preserve the integrity of the soil, which is really important for environmental research,’ emphasizes Muurlink.

Sonic performance for site investigation

In sonic drilling, high-frequency vibrations reduce resistance around the drilling string. Combined with rotation and controlled downward force, this helps the rig penetrate a range of formations. The technique enables continuous core recovery. This makes it possible to assess soil layers and the subsurface profile in environmental, geotechnical and geological investigations.

Conrad and TALPA match the sonic head, rig and tooling to the application. This allows the machine to drill in a controlled way, recover samples effectively and operate practically in the field.

From drilling rig to tooling

Conrad and TALPA supply the complete sonic drilling configuration: the drilling rig, the Pro-Sonic drill head, drill rods, casings and associated tooling. Customers get a coordinated approach to equipment selection and system configuration. Support continues through delivery, commissioning and operator training to spare-parts supply and technical assistance.

About TALPA Sonic Drilling Products

TALPA Sonic Drilling Products is based in the Netherlands. The company develops and supplies sonic drilling, soil and sediment sampling, and groundwater investigation solutions worldwide. Its product range includes the TALPA Pro-Sonic 120, Pro-Sonic 160 and Pro-Sonic 190 drill heads, complete sonic drilling rigs and associated tooling.