The development of rock cutting tool with a new cutting system

The short life of tools employed on conventional rock cutting machines is the principal limitation on a more widespread use of these excavation machines in strong and/or abrasive rocks. This paper describes a novel rock cutting system in which the forces exerted by the rock cutting tools are much reduced. These lower forces, particularly the peak forces, allow the use of harder, albeit more brittle, materials. This combination of lower machine forces and harder tool materials reduces the rate of tool wear and failure which, in turn, will allow this new excavation system to be employed for rapid and economical excavation of any rock type.