Conical Picks for Undeground Mining

Abstract

Mechanical cutting in underground mining faces increasingly difficult challenges. Deteriorating working conditions result in the development of automation and robotization, and the insufficient durability of cutting tools remains a serious problem. In addition to drilling, the technology of cutting provides a huge market for tools. Currently, mainly conical picks are used in the process of cutting. The cutterheads of shearers are equipped with at least several dozen conical picks, which, due to their workability and abrasiveness, sometimes work for merely a few hours. Hence the interest of users and manufacturers in the development of tools with increased durability. The article briefly presents the applied solutions of conical picks, their construction, dimensions and materials used. Attention was paid to the issues related to the protection applied and its marking. A review and analysis of commonly known construction solutions for picks and holders have also been carried out, and proprietary patent pending solutions for the pick and holder have been presented.