Experimental investigation of double scroll cutting pattern by using button cutting tool of raise boring machines

Full-scale linear cutting test is one the most preferred and reliable methods for performance prediction of mechanical miners. Raise Boring Machines (RBMs) are one of these mechanical miners which are commonly used for drilling / excavation of shafts for different purposes in mining and tunneling projects. This study aims at investigating experimentally double spiral (scroll) cutting pattern in raise boring machine. Full-scale linear cutting tests are performed by using button (kerf) cutting tool. The tests are performed at line spacing of 25 mm and varying depths of cut per revolution by using two hard rocks (diabase and granodiorite) that were obtained from the Yusufeli Dam and HEPP project site. The average and maximum normal, rolling and side forces; specific energy; yield; and coarseness index are measured in each cut. The study indicates that optimum ratio of line spacing to depth of cut per revolution are obtained as 8.3 and 4.2 for diabase and granodiorite samples, respectively.