A Theoretical Model for Estimating the Peak Cutting Force of Conical Picks

The peak cutting force (PCF) estimation plays an important role in the design of cutting tools for mining excavators. In most of the existing theoretical models for cutting force prediction, the PCF is often modeled as the force on the cutting tool at the moment when the rock fragment is formed. However, according to the theory of fracture mechanics, the PCF is supposed to occur during the crack initiation phase. Consequently, this paper attempts to add to the existing literature by proposing a fracture mechanics-based theoretical model for PCF prediction. The proposed PCF prediction model distinguishes itself from existing models by determining the PCF during initiation of the rock crack. The PCF is determined using the energy and stress criteria of Griffith's fracture mechanics theory. In this new model, the PCF is positively related to the fracture toughness of the rock and the cutting depth. The experimental results demonstrated the validity of the proposed model. The proposed model performs well in predicting the PCF in terms of reliability and accuracy. Besides, the PCF prediction capability of the proposed model was compared with those of the other rock cutting models existing in the literature.