An Epiroc or Atlas Copco exploded-view drawing is the single most reliable way to confirm a spare part number before you order. But the drawing speaks its own language: balloon numbers, item lists, and supersession notes that are easy to misread. This guide walks through how to read one correctly.
1. Balloon numbers are positions, not part numbers. The small numbered circles (”balloons”) on the drawing point to a component’s location in the assembly. A balloon number such as 12 is only an index into the item list on the same sheet; it is never the orderable part number. Always cross the balloon to the item list before quoting anything.
2. Read the item list for the real part number and quantity. Next to each balloon number the item list gives the official part number, a description, and the quantity used in that assembly. Match the balloon to its row, then read across to the part number column. Note the quantity too: a single balloon can represent several identical fasteners or seals.
3. Watch for supersession and “use” notes. Long-running rigs such as the DML, DM and PV series accumulate engineering changes. The item list often carries notes like “superseded by” or “use part X from serial Y.” Always follow these to the current number; ordering the old number can ship you an obsolete or incompatible component.
4. Follow sub-assembly call-outs across sheets. A balloon may point not to a single part but to a sub-assembly that is detailed on another page. When you see a call-out like “see sheet 4,” jump to that sheet and repeat the balloon-to-item-list process there. The part you actually need is often one or two levels deeper than the first drawing suggests.
A quick pre-order checklist: confirm the machine model and serial number; locate the correct assembly drawing; match the balloon to the item list; check for supersession notes; and verify quantity. Get these five right and you will rarely order the wrong part.
Shenzhen Square Root Technology Co., Ltd. supplies genuine and quality aftermarket spare parts for Epiroc and Atlas Copco drill rigs across Russia and the CIS. If you have a balloon number, an exploded-view sheet, or an old part number you need cross-referenced, our team can confirm the current part. Reach us at szpfg.com or support@szpfg.com.