New Mining Tools and Methods for Roadheader Mining Heads

This book introduces new solutions for mining tools, unique lubricated holders and mining methods for hard-rock mining using mini-disk tools. In the first part, it describes problems connected with hard-rock mining using traditional mining methods like cutting. Then an alternative for conical pick is discussed, the so-called crown or bell pick and a new solution of a holder for conical picks allowing for tool rotation. These solutions should make it possible to increase the durability of cutting tools. The final part of the book explains a new mining head solution with mini-disk tools and a complex motion trajectory. With this, mining heads can be replaced in currently used roadheaders instead of standard mining heads. 

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Problems of hard rock mining using cutting tools.- Chapter 3. The hard rock mining using disk tools.- Chapter 4. The crown pick as an alternative for the conical pick.- Chapter 5. Lubricated holder for conical pick.- Chapter 6. The mining head with mini-disk tools with complex motion Trajectory.- Chapter 7. Summary and final comments.

Krzysztof Kotwica graduated from the Faculty of Mining and Metallurgy at AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, in 1985. In 1985–1988, he worked at the KOMAG Mining Mechanization Center in Gliwice, implementing new solutions of machinery and equipment for underground mining. He has been employed at AGH UST Kraków since 1989. In 1996, he obtained the degree of doctor of technical sciences, and in 2013, he received the degree of habilitated doctor. Since 2017, he has been working as an AGH professor at the Department of Machinery Engineering and Transport. He specializes in cutting hard mineable rocks, deals with durability and selection of mining tools, machines, and devices for underground mines and open pits, machines, and technologies for tunneling and trenchless methods of mini tunnels driving. He is the promoter of over 180 master's theses, two doctoral dissertations. Professor Kotwica is also the author and co-author of 5 books, 18 monographs, and over 220 articles in scientific journals. The main topics presented in the publications are new solutions of mining tolls and machines for mineral resources excavation and unconventional hard-rock mining methods. He is a member of the Association of Water Jet Technology. Since the 2001 year, he is a co-originator and chairman of the Organizing Committee of Cyclic International Conference Mining Technics TUR.