Effect of cutting mode on the sawability of granites using segmented circular diamond sawblade

Wear and energy consumption are the two main cost items in the processing of natural stones using segmented circular diamond sawblades. Hence, there are many benefits to be gained in understanding the various aspects of this process. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of cutting mode on the sawing performance of some selected granites. Two cutting modes, up-cutting and down-cutting, were employed in the experiments. Six different types of granites which have substantial market demand were used as workpiece materials for the sawing experiments. Experimental tests were conducted on a fully instrumented experimental block-cutter. Considering the specific wear rate of the sawblade and specific energy of cutting as the main performance criteria of the process, the variations in specific wear rate of the sawblade and specific energy consumption of cutting for each employed cutting mode were analyzed. Valid for all tested granite types, the experimental results showed that specific wear rate and specific energy values obtained in the up-cutting mode are less than those of the down-cutting mode, indicating a more efficient cutting process. The obtained results show that high values of specific energy are associated with high specific wear rates of the sawblade. Also, a stepwise linear multiple regression analysis was performed in order to be able to determine the combined effect of the most dominant mineralogical and physico-mechanical rock properties on specific wear rate and specific energy for both up-cutting and down-cutting modes. The statistical analysis indicated the bending strength and plagioclase percent as the most dominant rock parameters in the prediction of specific wear rate and specific energy of cutting.