Research of Response Difference on Coal Cutting Load under Different Cutting Parameters

A shearer is important equipment for coal mining, and its performance determines the efficiency of such mining. Working under complex and harsh conditions, the conical picks mounted on the shearer drum are the cutters that participate in coal mining directly and some material failures, such as heavy wear, are prone to occurring on picks. Therefore, research on strength and wear resistance on the cutter is always in progress. In terms of the contents in previous research, a wide range of factors, such as the geometric and physical parameters of conical pick [1] and [2] and structure of coal [3] and [4], often occur in research and the final results show that the cutting load can be influenced by these factors. In terms of the simulation model applied in research, the single pick cutting model and drum cutting model are widely used; the former model occupies the major proportion in research. In fact, from the perspective of pick arrangement and mounting angle, the drum cutting model is much closer to working conditions in coal mining than the single pick cutting models, which has been verified in some previous research. Wang et al. [5] studied peak cutting force under the different half-cone angle of picks, the tensile strength and brittleness index of coal and rock. Hekimoglu and Ozdemir [6] mentioned that the arrangement of cutter tools on the drum, known as tool lacing, is one of the most critical factors that have a significant influence on cutting performance and the different pick arrangements should be designed according to cutting conditions. Liu et al. [7] researched rock fragmentation processes with single and double cutters’ model in the numerical method. He concluded that the proper line spacing played an important part in cutting efficiency improvement. In a word, the line spacing and pick arrangement play a vital role in cutting performance while those parameters cannot be simulated with single pick cutting models. Therefore, the drum cutting model is the proper model that is suitable for research on cutting performance of shearer. In the coal-cutting performance research, three kinds of approaches are available: theoretical, numerical, and experimental. Menezes et al. [8] and Li et al. [9] studied the relationship between cutting parameters and cutting performance in the explicit finite element method. Wang et al. [10] and Gao et al. [11] studied tool forces in different theoretical methods. However, the experimental model of shearer is characterized by complicated structures and large volumes. Both the requirement of higher cost and Research of Response Difference on Coal Cutting Load under Different Cutting Parameters Wan, L. – Jiang, K. – Gao, K. – Zeng, Q. – Zhang, X. Lirong Wan – Kao Jiang* – Kuidong Gao – Qingliang Zeng – Xin Zhang Shandong University of Science & Technology, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, China