Cutting Teeth/Inserts

Cutting teeth or inserts are precision-engineered, replaceable components mounted on rotary-percussive drill heads that perform the primary rock fragmentation function. These components transfer rotational torque and percussive impact energy from the drill rig to the rock face, creating fractures through a combination of shearing, crushing, and tensile failure mechanisms. They are strategically positioned on the drill head to optimize cutting patterns and ensure efficient material removal during drilling operations in mining, construction, and geotechnical applications.

Cutting teeth/inserts operate on the principle of concentrated stress application. As the drill head rotates and impacts the rock surface, the inserts concentrate mechanical energy at their carbide tips, exceeding the compressive and tensile strength of the rock. This creates microfractures that propagate and connect, resulting in chip formation and material removal. The geometry of the inserts (including attack angle, clearance angle, and tip shape) is designed to maximize stress concentration while minimizing friction and wear.