A new frame saw machine by diamond segmented blade for cutting granite

An investigation has been undertaken into the stone processing machines. Diamond circular saws and diamond wire saws present some technological limits, and the marble frame saw cannot process granite by now. The present work shows an innovative frame saw machine to cut granite, the eccentric hinge guide mechanism is introduced into the machine. A sawing test and a simulation were carried out to analyze the sawing trajectory, the surface topography of the segments and the percentage of worn diamond particles. In addition, both cutting efficiency and slab flatness were recorded. The results show that the contact area between the blade and granite is not following a straight line, and the time required for stone sawing is only one half of the full sawing cycle. The eccentric hinge guide mechanism facilitates the formation of both matrix tails on the segments and a group of more new micro cutting edges, which improve diamond stability as well as self-sharpening. The proportion of micro-fractured and good diamonds in the new frame saw machine are 45% and 25%, respectively, and the productivity of the new machine is between 6 and 15 m(2)/h. These values are significantly larger than that of the marble frame saw. Thus, the new prototype machine is suitable for sawing granite. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.