Advances in Mechanical Rock Cutting

Projektbeschreibung (englisch)

Mechanical cutting and excavation technologies show a number of properties that can be considered advantageous to regular drilling and blasting such as: increased roof stability, no blasting gases, more secure application, continuous and highly productive operation. Therefore, a high industrial interest in pushing the limits of application of this technology towards more harder and abrasive rocks is seen. One field of application amongst others are the Platinum Reefs found in RSA. TU BAF is continuously conducting research projects to contribute to this advance. Projects dealt and deal with: dust suppression/mitigation, optimization of cutting parameters under influence of worn tools, alternative cutting technologies such as “undercutting”, activated cutting and new hybrid technologies such as microwave assisted cutting.