Generate automatic firing sequence

You can use this function to assign a delay to each blast hole.

Note: After you have generated the firing sequence, if you want to store the detonator name and delay permanently, use the function BLAST LOAD TO DATABASE. The delay name, and the delay in milliseconds, are stored in the collar table of the database. You can then reproduce the firing sequence from the database whenever required.

To run this function: Choose Design > Blast design > Firing sequence > Generate automatic firing sequence, or...

• In the Function Chooser, type BLAST GENERATE FIRING SEQUENCE, and press ENTER.

Fields on the Generate firing sequence form

Field	Description
Firing template name	When you select a template name, you set the Firing pattern, Number of rows, and Surface delay for that firing template. Firing templates are defined in drill and blast defaults.
Snap to firing line tolerance	All holes, whose perpendicular offset from the digitised sequence line are less than this value, are placed on the same firing row. That is, if you generate a firing sequence and find that some holes are not on the firing line you want, increase the Snap to firing line tolerance and regenerate the firing sequence.
Output layer name	The strings, that represent the firing sequence, are created in this layer. Surpac creates a different string for each row.
Firing pattern	The available firing patterns are V-Pattern, Diagonal-Pattern, and Centrelift-Pattern.
Number of rows	The number of rows to which a single surface delay applies.
Surface delay	The detonator that applies surface delay between rows (or between two sets of rows when Number of rows is greater than one).
Use blast holes from	String file. The firing sequence is applied to the blast holes displayed (as strings) in the string file you specify. For this option to work, you must select a string file that already contains a blast pattern. Database. Loads blast holes from the blast hole database that is open. The Pattern identifier field becomes visible so you can select a pattern to use. The Database option is available only when a database is open. Active layer. The firing sequence is applied to the blast holes displayed (as strings) in the active layer.
Name blast hole layer	The name of a new layer to hold the blast holes.
Location	The location of the string file that contains the existing blast pattern.
ID	The ID number of the string file that contains the existing blast pattern.
Pattern identifier	The blast pattern for which you are generating a firing sequence. This field is visible only Use blast holes from is set to Database.

When you click Apply in the Generate firing sequence form, you are prompted to drag a line (for Diagonal or Centre lift patterns) or three lines ( for a V pattern) to allow Surpac to generate a firing sequence.

V-Pattern

1. initiation point 2. left side when viewing along apex line 3. right side when viewing along apex line

Diagonal-Pattern:

The initiation points are always to the right of the line, from the start point to the end point of the diagonal line.

1. initiation point

Centrelift-pattern:

All the blast holes on the line you digitise are initiated first.

Output

The firing sequence is displayed in Graphics and stored as a string in the Output layer name. The detonator type is stored in the D13 field of each point in the string. The delay for the blast hole is stored in the D14 field of each point in the string.

Note: To store the firing sequence permanently, use the function BLAST LOAD TO DATABASE.

The blast holes are also displayed, and stored in the Name blast hole layer.

V-Pattern	Diagonal-Pattern	Centrelift-Pattern