Influence of different drilling forces on drill bit wear in automated drilling of concrete with industrial robots

This article investigates the effect of different drilling forces on drill bit wear and their effects on drilling time within the context of the development of a drilling robot for on-site construction applications. The study explores variations in three force levels (80, 120, 160 N), three directional orientations (upwards, downwards, horizontal), four drill bit diameters (8, 10, 12, 16 mm), and two concrete strength types (C25/30, C70/85). The findings indicate that while there is little divergence in drill bit wear across force levels, the influence of concrete strength is undeniable. Furthermore, drilling time increases, by 7 % to 11 % after 37.5 m drilling depth and up to 68% after 150 m depending on the drilling configuration. In conclusion, the study reveals a notable discrepancy between the progressive increase in drilling time and the relatively stable progression of drill bit wear, particularly in achieving code-compliant boreholes.