Particle Size Distribution and Shape Characterization of the Chips Produced During Granite Machining in Relation to Process Forces and Specific Energy

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to characterize the particle size/size distribution and shape of the chips produced during granite machining in relation to process forces and specific energy. To achieve this goal, two different series of circular sawing experiments were performed on an instrumented full-scale rig. The first series of sawing tests was carried out with a newly dressed blade, while the second series of tests were carried out at a relatively worn state. For each case, cutting forces and specific energy values were determined. By using a computer image-processing system, size and shape descriptors of the collected chips from the cutting debris of both series of tests were quantitatively evaluated. The results of the analyses showed that the size/size distributions of the produced chips were greatly influenced by the wear state of the diamond segments. Size/size distribution characteristics of the chips were also found to correlate with the force ratio and specific energy, indicating that particle size analysis of the cutting debris could be used as an efficient guide to sawing efficiency in industrial applications. Despite to diversity in their size/size distribution characteristics, the chips produced in both series of sawing tests showed quite similar shape characteristics.

Keywords:

• Energy
• force
• image analysis
• mineral
• particle shape
• particle size
• sawing

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank to Yaşar Kibici for his guidance on thin section studies of the workpiece material.