17* International Mining Congress and Exhibition of Turkey- IMCET2001, ©2001, ISBN 975-395-417-4

Research and Innovations for Continuous Miner's Cutting Head, for

Efficient Cutting Process of Rock/Coal
A.W.Khair
Department of Mining Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, U.S A.

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the fragmentation process of rock/coal by cutting head, mainly cutting
tool and cutting drum. It deals with: 1) mechanics of fragmentation from quasi-static to dynamic conditions,
2) the effect of bit geometry on fragmentatiQn process and multiple bit interaction, 3) optimization of bit
geometry and cutting parameters for efficiency, 4) reduction of fine products and noise generation during
fragmentation process, and 5) improvement of cutting efficiency.

1 INTRODUCTION The high demand for coal production has

increased the need for mechanized coal cutting and
The impact of bit-coal/rock interaction during the roof support in underground coal mines. On the
cutting process in underground mines is a great other hand our coal reserve is shrinking, forcing
concern to the mining community of the world. operators to mine thin coal seams and subsequently
Rock/coal cutting bears directly on rock/coal dust to cut roof/floor rocks in order to mamtain sufficient
generation, which causes "black lung/silicosis" in clearance for equipment. At the present time
miners. Furthermore, rock cutting generates radiance approximately 65 longwall faces (Coal Age,
of sparks causing face ignitions and loss of millions February 1998, pp.22-27) and more than 2000
of dollars m productivity, safety and economy. continuous miners are in operation in U.S. Enormous
These face ignitions and the consequent loss of miles of entries are developed by these continuous
millions of dollars in productivity and compensation miners for longwall operation as well as room and
for respirable rock/coal dust related diseases are pillar mining. The amount of silica and respirable
attributed to the cutting action of continuous miners. * dust generated by excavating coal and cutting roofs
Since 1970, the U.S. Federal Government has with continuous miners is the major concern for the
paid over $11.7 billion to more than 470,000 miners industry. An U.S. government printing office
with coal workers* pneumoconiosis and to their stressed that every year more than 250 workers in
survivors (Newmeyer, 1981). A world report by the U.S. will die from silicosis and more than 1
NIOSH on work related lung disease investigations million U.S. workers are exposed to crystalline silica
shows that a total of 13,744 deaths (see Figure 1 for (NIOSH, 1997). Unfortunately, coal mine operations
further details) occurred due to silicosis related contribute significantly to these statistics.
diseases during 1968-1990 (NIOSH, 1994). The continuous mining machines which were
introduced in the 1950's, now account for more than
half the production of coal from underground mines.
Unfortunately, these continuous miners, which were
designed for increasing productivity, have also
increased the concentration of repirable dust in the
mines. Improving the fragmentation process by
understanding the mechanisms of coal/rock breakage
will not only reduce respirable dust at the face, but it
will also decrease the amount of respirable dust that
is liberated during the secondary handling such as
loading and transportation etc. The fragmentation
process in coal/rock is affected by the following
Figure 1. Number of deaths in the US due to Silicosis over parameters: (1) machine operating parameters
1968-1990
45
(primary factor), (2) in-situ condition, and (3) be independent of bit velocity when the bit velocity
physical and mechanical properties of coal/rock is below a critical value of 165 to 220 ft/min. Wear
(secondary factors). This paper mainly deals with the was observed to increase very rapidly above the
major primary factors, machine operating critical velocities (Roepke, et al, 1976). Since bit
parameters. velocity increases the temperature of the bit, it is
necessary to insure that bit velocity is below the
critical value. However, low bit velocity will reduce
2 BACKGROUND production.
The major problems in the cutting action of the
Since die introduction of continuous miners in rotary cutting drum, which excavates the cutting
I950's, not much change has been made in the face, are the following: (1) non-uniformity of the
cutting drum design for efficient excavation and cutting depth for each individual bit along the cutting
reduced respirable dust generation. The problem in path, (2) generating secondary dust, which may be
continuous miner head/drum is mainly associated much more than the primary dust generation due to
with bit/tool and drum geometry. The bits'/tools' tips cutting action, (3) excavating material in a confined
and the bodies are not designed properly, resulting in state/solid face without pre-cut free faces/slots. In a
inefficient performance of machine and tools, rotary cutting action the shape of the groove along
producing high levels of noise and fine particles and the path of an individual bit resembles a crescent
generating enormous amounts of respirable dust. In a moon. Each bit on the drum starts the cutting face
typical continuous miners drum, the bits cut face from zero depth of cut and as the bit penetrates
randomly and their cutting abilities mainly depend further into the face, the depth of cut increases to a
on the geometry of the bits. maximum at the center line of the path of each
In the past, enormous research has been carried cutting bit, then the depth of cut decreases to zero
out to select the design parameters for cutting tools when the bit exits the cutting face. Researchers in
on a trial and error basis (Organiscak, et al, I995). USBM developed a linear cutting drum (Roepke, et
There are two shapes of cutting bits commonly al, 1995). A comparison of laboratory experiment
utilized, namely, wedge type and point attack type. utilizing drums of the same size indicated that, when
Although point attack type bits are used most both drums have reached 75% of the maximum cut
frequently in the US, research indicates point attack depth, the rotary drum has removed approximately
bits suffer a lot of bit tip wear and damage. This is 33% of the total volume, while the linear drum has
largely due to their inefficient rubbing contact with taken only 15% in the shallow cutting region
the wall of the cut groove (ridges/lands) (Reddy, (Roepke, et al, 1995). However, under variable seam
1998). thickness, which requires both sumping and
shearing, me difference in total dust generation may
Bit wear can be defined as the removal of not be as significant, comparing rotary cutting and
material from the surface as a result of mechanical linear cutting of this particular design. One of the
action. The mechanism of bit wear can be adhesion, important aspects of this design is to modify the
abrasion, oxidation, or diffusion depending on regrinding process of the typical rotary cutting drum.
cutting conditions. A study was carried out to study The linear cutting drum did not get out of the
the principles of bit wear and dust generation (Khair, laboratory because of two major reasons: a) the
et al, 1992). In this study four types of point concept was totally unfamiliar to the mining
attack/conical used bits were obtained from different industry; b) the drum required a very high torque
underground coal mines. The analysis showed that gear box to be practically utilized.
many bits did not rotate properly during cutting. The
intention of using conical bits in the United States A laboratory study was carried out at WVU to
coal mining was to keep bit tip sharp, it should wear study dust generation due to regrinding (Khair, et al,
symmetrically, as it rotates during the cutting 1991). The assessments of dust generation, in this
process. As rock and coal debris plunge into the study, indicated that dust generation by regrinding
spacing between the bit blocks and bits, lock in of depends on the size of the particles being cut during
the bit into the bit block results, The same study primary excavation (i.e., cut by the first line of bits).
showed that worn bits with 15% weight loss Higher dust concentration coefficients were obtained
generated about 26% more dust man the new bits. by regrinding finer particles. Increasing depth of cut
Researchers at USBM (Roepke, et al, 1976) creates less fine particles and reduces dust
indicated that the rate and form of bit wear highly generation by regrinding. Among the parameters
depend on bit temperature. Diffusive wear becomes considered in this study the depth of sump has the
the dominant form when bit temperature is higher most significant effect on dust generation by
man the critical temperature. Bit velocity is the main regrinding. Dust generation also significantly
parameter to influence the bit temperature. The wear depends on hard grove grindability index. The coal
rate of steel, stellate and carbide tools is reported to with higher grindability index has higher dust
concentration coefficients. Higher velocity of cutting

46
head causes higher dust concentration. Dust exhibited holographically. From the failure process
concentration by regrinding İs linearly proportional point of view, it's obvious that initial wedge-rock
to the amount of coal left for regrinding (Khair, et al, interaction results in high stress concentration
1991). This study recommends that loading the (compressive and shear, Figure 2) at the area of the
entire coal removed/excavated in each cutting cycle contact zone, causing micro-failure of material in the
will help to reduce regrinding. It has been said that
vicinity of the contact zone (between wedge and
"using blunt, high speed bits, {continuous mining
machines) probably are the best machines for rock, Figure 3). As the stress exceeds the strength of
forming dust that could be invented, except for a the material, it results in pulverization of the
grinding stone" (Roepke, et al, 1995). This concern interface zone and stress redistribution in the
has been substantiated. In a study by USBM specimen (see Figure 4). As the loading continues,
(Roepke, et al, 1995) indicated that a continuous the wedge penetrates further and pulverizes the
miner produces 70% of total dust while sumping, contact zone (see Figures 5-6). The process
and only 20% while shearing. The remaining 10% is continues and is reflected in Figure 7 until the
attributed to gathering and loading. extension of the pulverization zone stops where
sufficient tensile stress (splitting stress) develops to
initiate failure, (see Figures 8-9), Figure 10 shows
3 RESEARCH ON ROCK/COAL CUTTING the results of different experiments, using special
holography. Displacements at the beginning of
Efficient rock/coal cutting is a result of the optimum loading process are very high and diminish as the
use of available resources in a continuous mining specimen reaches failure. This reduction of
system. Research has demonstrated that specific displacements results in pulverization of the
energy and specific respirable dust must be kept at interface and stress distnbution occurs at the area of
minimum to produce the optimum parameters of the contacts between wedges and rocks At that instance
rock/coal breakage process. tensile stress sufficiently develops and indicates that
lateral displacement perpendicular to the direction of
Mechanisms of Rock/Coal Fragmentation;
wedge face develops very high prior to the specimen
failure for three wedge angles. Failure of the
specimen occurs (see Figure 10). The thickness of
the pulverization zone in the wedge-rock interface
mainly depends on two factors. (!) material
characteristics such as brittle, ductile behavior of
material in particular cracks, discontinuities, porosity
and flaws existing in the material, which are more
susceptible to become pulverized and allow wedge
to penetrate deeper into the material. To extrapolate
this fact further, ductile/soft material requires deeper
Figure 2 Shows stress develop during indentation wedge penetration prior to splitting/fragmentation
than brittle/harder material; (2) wedge angle, the
The fracturing process is governed by quasi-static higher the wedge angle less wedge penetration and
and dynamic forces. In a recent study by Khair, et al. less crashed material produced. However, higher
(2000a) (2000b) the fracturing process in Tennessee wedge angle subjects more wear (see Figure I la-b)
sandstone specimen, subjected to a wedge indentor is

Figure 3 Shows high displacements in the area of contact Figure 4 Shows crushed and pulverized contact zone between
wedge-rock due to high stress concentration, perpendicular to wedge-rock
the specimen face.

47
Figure 5 Extension of pulverize zone in the area of contact Figure 9 Shows pulverize zone and fracture extension in the
zone between wedge and rock specimen

Figure 6 Shows continuous process of wedge penetration and

displacements/pulverization development in the rock Figure 10 Histogram of Load and Displacements for three
indentor angles in lateral direction

Indentor Wear (*SPa)

No of fringes 0 20 40 60 80 100
Angle of indentor (degree)
Figure 7 Displacements using 90° indentor in unconfined 'Unfiltered arithmetic mean of the departures of the surface
condition, indicates variation of displacement curve due to from the mean value of the fractured surface
stress redistribution Figure 11 a Correlation between angle of indentor and bit wear

Indentors Wear (*SPq)

Angle of indentor (Degree)

Unfiltered RMS parameter corresponding to Spa

Figure 8 Shows end of pulverization on the line of loading Figure 11 b Correlation between angle of indentor and SPq for
action and development of tensile stresses indentors

48
 to the coal will be a 30°-45° attack angle, where the
area of contact between the bit and coal is at a
minimum and causes a high stress concentration in
the coal block. As a result, less force is required to
break the coal. The smaller attack angle will not only
require a larger normal force (thrust) to penetrate the
coal, consequently resulting in more friction heat,
especially during the quasi-static loading condition
(grading). The 60° attack angle is similar to the 15°;
however, in this case the front portion of the bit will
have a larger surface area of contact with the coal.
Its influence on fragmentation will be during the
dynamic loading cycle and the larger area of contact
will make the bits behave as if they were blunt.
Figure 12 Simplified diagram of crushing and chip formation
when cutting coal with continuous miner

Fracture process in coal/rock by rotary cutting

showed that the dynamic forces causes fracture
formation and fracture extension, while the quasi-
static forces are responsible for grading the fracture
surface. Observations during the tests indicated that
after the cutting head induces certain fracture
(different intensities, magnitudes, and lengths), its
rotational velocity slows down. Analyzing the
cutting action, when the bit enters the coal it indents
and compresses the coal under it and shears off the
fragments. This process yields coal fragments, Figure 13. Shows attack angle in the experiment
coarse and fine, and dusts particles (see Figure 11V
The key to analyzing and understanding the source
of dust generation is to identify the different phases 2) Bit Geometry:
of the cutting process and to correlate them with the Conical bits are commonly used in the U.S.
particles. Previous investigators have observed that mining industry and discussions are focused on this
during the indentation of a cutting bit into a brittle type of bit. In regards to bit geometry, there are two
material, two phases occur (Paul, et al. 1965) elements associated with bit geometry, 1 ) bit tip and
(Miller, et al. 1968). These are called the crushing
phase and chipping phase. This was later extended to 2) bit body. Research has been carried out by many
linear cutting by observing the cutting action under investigators to characterize bit geometry i.e. bit tip
very low speed (Warner, 1970). In this study it was angle, and size, bit body geometry and stream linear
theorized that when the bit first contact inelastic of bit tip and body for efficient fragmentation,
subsurface cracking takes place. Such an action leads durability, ignition, respirable dust generation,
to crushing due to the coalescence of the cracks. specific energy consumption, noise generation,
Crushing and subsurface cracking will produce fine breakout angle and multi bit interaction (Roepke, et
fragments and dust. It was observed that the cutting al. 1976, Khair, et al. 2000a, Khair, et al. 2000b,
and thrust forces build up and increase during the Roepke, et al. 1983, Khair, et al. 1989, Srikanth,
crushing/pulverizing phase of the material and drop 2000, Khair, 1996, Khair, 2001).
when a major crack is generated, resulting in chip 3) Depth of Cut:
formation. Past research indicated that as the depth of cut
increases the specific respirable dust is reduced.
Cutting Parameters: Deeper cutting enable interaction between adjacent
The important parameters of rock/coal cutting are cuts and help produce larger chips of material.
1) attack angles, 2) bit geometry, 3) depdi of cut, 4) Roepke and Hanson (1983) found that the average
bit spacing, 5) water-jet assisted pressure. cutting force increases with increase in depth of cut
while the specific respirable dust and specific energy
I) Bit Attack Angle: decreases with depth of cut.
Research has been carried out by Khair, et al It is known that a proper depth of cut to bit
(1989) utilizing four different attack angles, 15°, 30°, spacing ratio reduces specific dust generation. This
45°, and 60°, were used in this study (Fig. 12). The ratio depends on machine cutting parameters and
most ideal condition for force transmission by the bit physical and mechanical properties of rock (Achanti,

49
1998). Research work was conducted by a number of between the bit paths (see Figure 16a). This series of
people on rotary cutting bits. Research at USBM tests were carried out for the 15°, 30°, 45°, and 6 0 '
(Roepke, et ai. 1976) demonstrated that the specific attack angles. With 3.80cm (1.5in) spacing and five
energy and airborne dust (ARD) decrease bits mounted m an echelon pattern, the side
significantly as the cutting depth increases and the walls/ridges of the bit path were broken when the
optimum tool spacing to cutting depdi ratio ranges coal blocks were tested İn both face and but cleat
from 2 to 3. Further study by the USBM researchers direction (see Figures 16b and 16c). In these
(Roepke, et al. 1983) concluded that different bits do experiments the fracture surface was more regular
not affect the ARD as significantly as cutting depth when tested against butt cleat, walls/ridges between
or specific energy, but various bits have different the cutting paths broke only partially and irregularly
forces and energy requirements necessary to (see figure 16c). A total breakage of the walls/ridges
maintain a prescribed cutting depth. created a free face (see figure \6b), thus reducing the
Barker (1964) and Pomeroy and Brown (1968) required resultant forces to cut the coal (Khair, et al.
reported that optimum spacing depends on the depth 1989). The concept of relationship between depth of
of cut. For a cut spacing at which neighboring cut and bit spacing in order to remove lands/ridges
grooves interact, the cutting forces decrease after between the cutting paths is illustrated by Figure 17.
reaching a maximum. The maximum normally As it was indicated earlier that depth of cut not only
corresponds to the condition of high product volume, reduces primary and secondary dust generation, but
low specific energy and low dust generation. also reduces required specific energy, depending on
Research also indicated that specific energy bit geometry. A series of preliminary experiments
decreases with depth and spacing (Srikanth 2000, were carried out by Khair (1996) Figure 18 shows
Khair, 2000). typical expenmental setup and Figure 19 shows
Many studies have addressed the influences on tested rocks utilizing bits of different geometry.
respirable dust generation during coal cutting Among the tested bits, US2 performed very well.
process. Research was conducted at WVU (Reddy, This high performance of the US2 type bit was due
1998) utilizing a series of single and multiple bit to two geometric parameters, namely high clearance
experiments on coal using a laboratory scale cutting angle and prism shape of the cutting face of the bit.
machine in order to investigate the sources of which further reduced the surface contact area of the
respirable dust generation both at macro and micro bit during the cutting process. These two factors
levels, Khair, et al (1989) documented several issues reduced the specific energy consumption for the bit,
in rock cutting process that need to be addressed and in particular, under deeper cutting condition (i.e., at
the concern for respirable dust in the report 3mm depth of cut, specific energy consumed by the
submitted to USBM. The Bureau of Mines bit is 18.4 MJ/m 3 , and at an 18mm depth of cut, the
conducted a series of experiments using four consumed specific energy was reduced to 24 I
different coal types to determine the effect of attack MJ/m 3 with a corresponding mean nominal force to
angle and asymmetric bit wear on airborne respirable mean cutting force ratio of 0.91 and 0.53,
dust (ARD) generated by point attack bits and in respectively). Results also indicate that specific
energy consumption (Roepke, et al. 1983). They energy consumed by the bit decreases with depth of
established that the depth of cut had significant cut. The damaged surfaces of the rock corresponding
effect on the respirable dust and specific energy to different depth of cut are present in Figures 20 and
21. In deeper cutting most of the energy was
Research conducted at WVU indicates that consumed in the fragmentation process rather than
specific respirable dust increased with increasing bit grinding material, hence resulting in a larger product
spacing in rotary cutting. As the bit spacing size and fewer fine particles (see Figure 22-24)
increases the grooves made by the bits do not
interact and hence the ridges do not break. Instead of
the formation of major chips, regrinding occurs in
die grooves producing significant amount of fine
dust. As the cutting depth increases the amount of
respirable dust generated reduced as deeper cuts
enable me interaction of adjacent cuts and help in
production of major chips (Achanti, 1998). A series
of preliminary laboratory experiments were carried
out at the Department of Mining Engineering at
WVU (Khair, et al. 1989). Figure 14, shows
experimental set up. Figure 15, shows test coal
block, Figure 16a-c shows tested coal blocks in
different cleat directions and bit spacing. In this
study a series of experiments were run with a 7.62cm
(3in) spacing. Three bits were mounted in an echelon
pattern and a 6.35-7.62cm (2.5-3 in) deep cut was
made without breaking the boundary walls/ledges Figure 14 Expenmental setup earned out in 1989.

50
 Figure 17 Relationship between depth of cul and bit spacing
Figure 15 Typica! Specimen located in the confining chamber
and ready for experiment

Figure 18 Typical experimental setup

Figure İ6a Coal blocks cut with 3 in bit spacing ta^e cleat

I Photograph of the cut surface tested Godula

sandstone block
Figure 16b Coal blocks cut with 1 5 in bit spacing face cleat

Figure 20 Cut surface ot the rock at 12 and 9 mm depth of cut

Figure 16c Coal blocks cut with I 5 in bit spacing but cleat utilizing US2 bit

51
 consumption and reduces dust generation
Furthermore the linear cutting indicated that the
noise levels mcrease as the bit tip size increases The
noise levels increased by about 5 dB with a larger
body and tip size Therefore by an optimum bit
spacing to depth of cut ratio and optimum bit tip size
a reduction up to 10 dB noise resulted during the
cutting process It should be emphasized that the bit
tip size is not the only parameter that effects bit
performance, but also the geometry of bit tip and bit
body, a stream-lined shape is important Figure 25
shows the types of bits used Figure 26 shows the
linear cutting experimental setup, and Figure 27
shows the cutting process (Khair, 2001 )
"Figure 21 Cut surface of the rock at 18mm depth of cut, Experiments conducted at WVU, utilizing rotary
utilizing US2 bit cutting machine, indicates energy consumption and
specific respirable dust reduces as the bit spacing to
depth of cut ratio decreases from 2 to 0 3 (Snkanth,
2000) m another expenment the amount of
respirable dust produced increases as the bit tip angle
increases from 60° to 75° and it reduces from 75° to
90" (Achanti, 1998)

Cutting Depth (mm)

Figure 22 Variation of mean normal force/mean cutting force
with increasing depth of cut

Cutting Depth (mm)

Figure 24 Variation of specific energy with depth of cut

Figure 23 Variation of mean peak norma! force/mean peak

cutting force with increasing depth of cut

4) Bit Spacing
Linear cutting has been earned out in order to
study the influence of bit spacing on the energy
consumption and amount of noise produced during
cutting (Khair, 2001) The results indicate that the
noise levels usually mcrease with an increase in the
cut spacing to depth of cut ratio for individual bits
There is an increase in the noise level and energy
consumption of 4 5% and 24 1% respectively when
the bit spacing to cut depth ratio was increased from
1 to 2 Optimum bit spacing reduces confinement
and provides free space, which results m less energy Figure 26 Shows the linear cutting experimental selup

52
 reduced from 2.0 mg/cu.m to 0.4 mg/cu.m with
water flow rate of 26.5 g/m.

Figure 27 Shows the cutting process

Figure 28 and Figure 29 Shows external water spray cut and
internal water spray jet cut respectively
5) Water Jet Assist Cutting:
The external water spray system is the typical
technology associated with continuous miners in
underground coal/rock cutting process. In this
technique a canteen of water is sprayed above the
cutting head in order to suppress the respirable dust.
However, the internal water spray jet system
involves a water-jet directed towards the rock bit
interaction point. This is known as "wet drum" and is
similar to a shear drum. This results in keeping the
bit cool, suppressing dust, reducing cutability index
of the rock and increasing deep cutting performance
ofthe cutting drum which results in reduced specific
dust generation in underground and inhibit sparks to
retard ignition. Studies carried out at WVU (Khair,
et al. 1998a, Khair, et al. 1998b) in regards to cutting Figure 30a. Shows wear of the bits with respect lo the new one.
rock under three experimental set-ups, a) dry cut, b)
external water spray cut (see Figure 28), and c)
internal water spray jet cut (see Figure 29). The
results were astonishing in terms of bit wear,
machine penetration/cutting force, depth of cut and
respirable dust generation. A high content of quartz
with quartz cement found in Tennessee sandstone
caused excessive removal of material from the bit
body, in dry and external water spay cutting, and
damaged tip of bit, while no substantial damage was
observed when water spay/jet method (see Figure
30a, 30b, and 30c). Figure 30a shows wear of the
bits with respect to the new one and Figure 30b and
30c show the variation of cumulative weight and
height loss of the bits respectively in the above
experiments. Even though, the dust was not
measured in a wet set-up since the wear on the bit is
due to the abrasion and impact of die bit on rock,
therefore, their action was minimum, water spray/jet
method application and it certainly has changed the
mechanical property of rock in comparison to the dry
and external spray system. The results of these
studies (Khair, et al. 1998a, Khair, et al.!998b)
showed that wear rate on the cutting bit is a
controllable factor, and the potential for other
problems such as fractional ignition and respirable
dust could be reduced. In a communication with a
JOY Mining Machinery Engineer it was indicated
that their wet drum continuous miner in a Utah mine,
reduces respirable dust up to 80%, dust samples

53
4 IMPROVEMENT material toward free the face. Research in this area is
underway by the author.
In the past, technological innovation in mine
equipment and machinery, resulting from research,
had little chance of implementation in field 5 CONCLUSIONS
application. However, this trend has changed in the
last few years, because of safety concerns and high Efficient utilization of continuous miner cutting head
productivity demands. Continuous miners of today requires optimization of cutting tool, and drum
are more highly advanced in hydraulic, electrical, geometry, understanding of fracture mechanisms
associated with cutting material and constructing
electronic, and mechanical technology than the ones
cutting tools ideal for the type of material to be cut.
built a decade ago. Unfortunately the cutting head of
It İs essential to design tools for reduction of dust
continuous miners have received the least attention
generation and cutting efficiency. Implementation of
to improve coal/rock fragmentation, reduce dust and
scrolls, internal water spray system, with deep
increase efficiency of the machine. However, some
cutting and optimum depth of cut to bit spacing,
important research in the area of cutting drum has certainly increase productivity, efficiency, reduce
been carried out which will enhance the performance respirable dust generation, retards ignition and
of the cutting drum. There are many types of cutting increase the useful life of the cutting tools.
tools with different bit geometry shape, size, and tool
tip available to cut materials of different strength and
abrasivity. Polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC)
REFERENCES
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restricted by cost. Unfortunately, the geometries of Ridge Breakage Analysis Using a Simulated Continuous
these cutting tools are not optimized to reduce Miner, Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Mining
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Khair. A. W., and Achanti, V. B., "Experimental Investigation
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"Fracture Process in Rock by Wedge Indentors utilizing
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