Multi-edge disc cutters wear and damage evaluation

• Main Author: Tytler, Oluwafemi
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2023
• Subjects: Baie Verte; Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/16067/; https://research.library.mun.ca/16067/1/converted.pdf

The term "cutter wear" refers to a reduction in radial length. The fragmentation of rocks by disc cutters per revolution might result in the intermittently repeated wear of a given place on the cutter tip. Thus, the wear capacity of disc cutters can be determined by measuring the wear of a point on the cutter tip when crushing rocks, known as the radial wear coefficient; however, the wear of a disc cutter is caused by interaction between the disc cutter and its working objects, as seen macroscopically. This study evaluates the wear and damage of disc cutters that are now commonly used on cutter heads used in tunnel boring, raise drilling, and large-diameter blind drilling. Disc cutters are mounted on the cutter head for drilling purposes. Continuous use of the disc cutters over an extended penetrating time during drilling will lead the disc cutters to experience damage and wear, this wear will in turn influence drilling performance. It is therefore very important to evaluate the damage and wear of the drilling disc cutters. Wear is a significant cause of disc cutter failure. There is no current theory that provides a standard for predicting disc cutter wear. This research is focused on wear and damage measurements of large-diameter disc cutters and drilling tools used for a mining operation at Baie Verte, north of Newfoundland, Canada. The field data compiled for wear and damage of the large diameter drilling disc cutters showed that the two methods (damaged score count and wear measurement) used to determine disc cutter wear give complimentary results. The objective for carrying out this project was met, although it is important to note that future research to carry out an expansive evaluation of wear and damage of the large diameter drilling cutters and drilling tools needs to be done as several drilling parameters influence the degree of wear and damage experienced by the disc cutters and drilling tools.