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EFFECTS OF CONTROLLABLE AND UNCONTROLLABLE PARAMETERS ON DIAMOND WIRE CUTTING PERFORMANCE USING STATISTICAL ANALYSIS - A CASE STUDY

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2021-01-01
JournalRudarsko-geoloĹĄko-naftni zbornik
AuthorsArezou Rasti, Hamid Ranjkesh Adarmanabadi, Mohammad Reza Sahlabadi
InstitutionsNew Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch
Citations6
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: Diamond Wire Cutting Performance

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: Diamond Wire Cutting Performance”

This analysis leverages statistical modeling of diamond wire cutting performance to identify critical material and operational parameters, providing a foundation for next-generation abrasive tooling development using 6CCVD’s advanced MPCVD diamond materials.

  • Core Objective: Determine the effects of controllable (e.g., cutting angle, wheel diameter) and uncontrollable (rock strength, hardness, abrasion) parameters on Diamond Wire Cutting Rate (CR) and Wear Rate (WR) in dimension stone quarrying.
  • Key Finding (Material Science): A strong inverse relationship exists between cutting productivity and diamond wear; maximizing the Cutting Rate significantly minimizes the Diamond Bead Wear Rate (WR).
  • Critical Uncontrollable Parameters: Rock Uniaxial Compression Strength (UCS) and Hardness (Schmidt Hammer, B) show the strongest inverse correlation with CR. CR decreases as UCS and B increase.
  • Critical Controllable Parameters: The optimal cutting angle is 0°, yielding the highest productivity. Increasing the drive wheel diameter (70-90 cm) also increases CR.
  • Modeling Success: Simple and multiple non-linear regression models were developed, achieving high predictive accuracy (R2 > 0.9 for CR and R2 > 0.7 for WR), allowing for precise performance prediction based on rock properties.
  • 6CCVD Value: The demand for high-performance, low-wear diamond beads validates the need for superior materials. 6CCVD’s MPCVD Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) offers enhanced thermal stability and fracture toughness compared to the sintered beads used in this study, enabling higher CR and lower WR in extreme abrasive environments.

Data extracted from the study detailing machine parameters, rock properties, and performance metrics.

ParameterValueUnitContext
Main Motor Power50kWDiamond wire saw machine
Wire Linear Speed28 - 30m/sOperational velocity
Wire Length50mStandard wire assembly
Beads per meter31 - 34-Diamond bead density
Fresh Bead Diameter11.5mmInitial bead size
Rock UCS Range58.7 - 97.5MPaUniaxial Compression Strength (Travertine to Limestone)
Rock Hardness (SH) Range49.4 - 58.6-Schmidt Hammer (B)
Los Angeles Abrasion (LA) Range28.4 - 45.7%Abrasion resistance
Max Cutting Rate (CR)9.8m²/hObserved in Quarry Q6 (Travertine) at 0° angle
Min Wear Rate (WR)1.52¾m/m²Observed in Quarry Q6 (Travertine) at 0° angle
Max Wear Rate (WR)3.76¾m/m²Observed in Quarry Q1 (Limestone) at 90° angle
Optimal Cutting Angle0°Yields highest CR and lowest WR
Best CR Prediction Model R20.981-Multiple non-linear regression (Table 4)
Best WR Prediction Model R20.882-Multiple non-linear regression (Table 4)

The experiment utilized a combination of field measurements and standardized laboratory testing, followed by advanced statistical modeling.

  1. Field Data Collection: Cutting Rate (CR, m²/h) and Wear Rate (WR, ¾m/m²) were measured across ten different quarries (Limestone, Marble, Travertine) in Isfahan Province, Iran.
  2. Operational Variation: CR and WR were measured at three different cutting angles (0°, 30°, and 90°) to evaluate the effect of operational parameters.
  3. Wear Measurement: WR was determined by measuring the diameter difference of diamond beads (initial 11.5 mm) using a digital micrometer after cutting a specific surface area (A, m²).
  4. Rock Geomechanical Testing (ASTM Standards): Rock samples were collected and tested in the laboratory to quantify uncontrollable parameters:
    • Uniaxial Compression Strength (UCS): ASTM C170
    • Specific Gravity (Gs): ASTM D6473-15
    • Hardness (B): Schmidt Hammer (ASTM D5873-14)
    • Abrasion (LA): Los Angeles Abrasion Test (ASTM C131)
  5. Statistical Analysis: Simple and multiple regression analyses (linear and non-linear) were performed using Wolfram Mathematica software to develop predictive equations for CR and WR based on the combined effects of UCS, B, LA, and operational variables.

The research highlights that the performance and economic viability of diamond wire cutting are fundamentally limited by the wear rate of the diamond abrasive material. 6CCVD specializes in high-purity MPCVD diamond, offering materials and processing capabilities that exceed the performance of traditional sintered beads used in this study, enabling researchers and engineers to achieve superior CR and WR metrics.

Research Requirement6CCVD Material RecommendationTechnical Justification
Extreme Abrasion ResistancePolycrystalline Diamond (PCD) PlatesMPCVD PCD offers superior thermal stability and fracture toughness, crucial for minimizing wear (WR) when cutting high-UCS, high-abrasion rock (e.g., Quartz-rich stone, beyond the carbonate rocks studied). Available up to 125mm diameter.
High Purity/Thermal ManagementOptical Grade Single Crystal Diamond (SCD)For R&D into ultra-high-speed cutting tools where thermal dissipation is critical, SCD provides the highest thermal conductivity (up to 2200 W/mK), far surpassing sintered or natural diamond.
Conductive AbrasivesBoron-Doped Diamond (BDD)For specialized electro-chemical or high-conductivity tooling applications, 6CCVD offers BDD films and plates, customizable in doping concentration and thickness (0.1Âľm to 500Âľm).

The study relies on specific bead dimensions (11.5 mm) and complex wire assemblies. 6CCVD supports the development of optimized diamond tooling through precise material customization:

  • Custom Dimensions: We supply PCD and SCD plates/wafers in custom shapes and sizes, enabling the fabrication of novel diamond segments or beads optimized for specific cutting angles (0°, 30°, 90°) and drive wheel diameters (70-90 cm).
  • Thickness Control: SCD and PCD layers can be grown to precise thicknesses, from ultra-thin films (0.1Âľm) for coatings to thick substrates (up to 10mm) for robust tooling cores.
  • Advanced Metalization: To ensure optimal bonding and thermal transfer in high-stress abrasive applications, 6CCVD provides in-house metalization services, including deposition of Ti, W, Pt, Pd, Au, and Cu layers, critical for brazing diamond segments onto steel cables.
  • Precision Polishing: While the study focuses on rough cutting, 6CCVD offers ultra-smooth finishes (Ra < 1nm for SCD, Ra < 5nm for PCD) for applications requiring minimal friction or high optical quality.

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team provides authoritative material consultation, assisting engineers in translating geomechanical data (UCS, LA, Hardness) into optimal diamond material specifications for Abrasive Tooling and Dimension Stone Cutting projects. We help researchers select the ideal MPCVD diamond grade to maximize the Cutting Rate (CR) while minimizing the Wear Rate (WR), directly addressing the economic drivers identified in this research.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

Nowadays, most mining and quarrying industries utilize a diamond wire saw machine for bench cutting operations. This method uses a metal wire or cable assembled by diamond beads to cut the hard stone into large blocks. Many parameters classified into controllable and uncontrollable parameters affect the performance of the diamond wire saw cutting method. The uncontrollable parameters are related to rock engineering properties, and controllable parameters are related to operational aspects and machine performance. The diamond wire sawing process’s production rate is one of the most critical parameters influencing the design optimization and quarrying cost estimation. The cutting rate and wear rate of diamond beads are the most important factors to evaluate quarries’ production performance. This study aims to determine the effects of different controllable and uncontrollable parameters on different quarries’ production rates. Rock engineering properties like strength, hardness, and abrasivity, and operational aspects, such as cutting angle and drive wheel diameters, are considered as the main factors affecting the production performance of the diamond wire saw method. To discover the influence of these parameters, a detailed investigation in ten quarry operations was carried out. The relation between cutting rate and diamond bead wear with different parameters is estimated. It was observed that different controllable and uncontrollable parameters could increase or decrease the cutting rate and diamond bead wearing. Furthermore, using simple and multiple regression analysis, performance prediction of the cutting rate and wearing of diamond beads was developed, and the best equations were proposed.