User's Manual

DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED
The Target Steering
®
Function
The Target Steering
®
function allows the Eclipse receiver to be placed out ahead of the drill head and
used as a steering target. To activate the Target Steering function, you must program the receiver with
the desired target depth number. The drill head can then be guided to a point directly below where the
receiver has been placed.
The Eclipse system assumes level topography for the most accurate Target Steering results. It also
assumes that the value programmed for depth is within practical drilling conventions for the bend radius
of the drill string and that of the product being installed. In general, the intended drill path from the current
transmitter position to the target should be simple and not require large pitch or depth changes. As a rule,
the depth cannot change by more than 4 ft (1.2 m) per 35 ft (10.7 m), and the pitch cannot change by
more than 14% per 35 ft (10.7 m).
This section presents information on determining a feasible target depth, programming the target depth
into the receiver, positioning the receiver, and using the remote display’s Target Steering screen to steer
to the target.
NOTE: DCI does not recommend using the Target Steering function in dual-low (DL) mode.
Determining Feasible Target Depth
For the most conservative Target Steering operation, we assume that the ideal drill path is a circular arc
with a radius that accommodates the bend radius of most drill strings and products being installed. As
shown in the diagram below, the feasible steering area is limited to the shaded region bounded by the two
circular arcs.
Surface of
Ground
Transmitter
Depth
Target Depth
Target
Feasible
Steering Area
Depth Change
4 ft (1.2 m) max.
Transmitter
Horizontal Distance
35 ft (10.7 m) max.
Diagram of Feasible Steering Area
Maximum depth change is approximately 4 ft (1.2 m) over horizontal distance of 35 ft (10.7 m).
DigiTrak
®
Eclipse
®
Operator’s Manual 53