Application of 3D Scanning Technology to evaluate the Performance of Rock Cutting Tools in a Full-Scale Laboratory Test Setting

Evaluation of cutting efficiency is essential for improving rock cutting technology and design of cutting tool, and its long-term performance. In ductile rock types such as salt, trona, and potash, ridge formation between tools significantly impacts cutting efficiency and increases specific energy consumption. This study employs 3D scanning technology to analyze ridge formation under varying tool wear conditions in a full-scale cutting test in laboratory settings. Using a Linear Cutting Machine (LCM), an investigation of how tool wear and cutting parameters affect surface morphology through detailed point cloud was performed and the analysis of data was aimed to describe the surface conditions under variable cutting scenarios. The process and initial results are discussed in this paper. The findings demonstrate the benefits of 3D scanning technology in optimizing rock cutting operations. This includes identifying optimal tool geometries and cutting configurations. This research provides valuable insights into the relationship between ridge formation, volume calculation and cutting efficiency, helping advance the field of mechanical rock excavation.