Energy efficiency in rock cutting

Abstract

This paper proposes a simple analytical model for an optimal geometry design of a cutting pick with the criteria of greater energy efficiency. Formulation of the total energy consumption and elastic strain energy which contributes to chipping was developed for indentation or symmetrical cutting condition based on the cavity model. The ratio of the elastic strain energy to the total energy was introduced as a measure of the energy efficiency. It was found that the energy efficiency of a cutting tip depends on the tip geometry and the properties of a material to cut. For the case of a symmetric cutting, varying with the semi‐apex angle of the pick, 7–25% of the total energy in cutting contributes to chipping and the rest is consumed by undesired deformation. For materials with higher E or smaller Y, the energy efficiency is lower.

Keywords:

• Rock cutting pick
• Cavity model
• Energy efficiency
• Indentation

The work has been supported by the Australian Research Council and BRADKEN.