Investigation of the cutting performance of the natural stone block production in quarries with armed-chain cutting machine

Abstract

This study examined the block production and cutting performance of a new, domestically produced arm-type quarry chain saw (Demmak ZK-6800). A pilot study was conducted with an armed-chain cutting machine, as an alternative to the diamond wire cutting method, to increase efficiency of block production in natural stone. In order to increase cutting speed performance, the study determined the most appropriately shaped cutting tips of the chain (4 and 8 edges) and their rates of wear. Production rate and mean cutter end consumption were identified in different natural stone quarries. Accordingly, production rate was calculated as 18.75 m2/h in travertine, 9 m2/h in natural stone and 12 m2/h in marble. Mean cutter end consumption was calculated as 0.264 p/m2. It was observed that use of the machine, particularly in natural stone quarries, resulted in production of a larger number of blocks at a lower cost per unit time. It was calculated that block efficiency in natural stone quarries increased to 60–80% values with the use of the armed-chained cutting machine.