Dust issued from polishing operations contains fine particles (micrometric size) and ultrafine particles (nanometric size) with the possibility to accumulate deep inside the respiratory system causing grave illnesses including silicosis.The Canadian’s regulation plans a weighted average exposure value of 0,1 mg/m3 in materials processing industries with quartz. This limit will most likely be lowered in the near future to follow the United States of America’s limit of 0,1 mg/m3 since 2016. As a result, the search for ways to reduce or eliminate the risks of exposure to dust from granite machining is an urgent and challenging task facing industrialists. It is in this sense that the present study has been carried out.
An experimental design was set up to study the influence of tool path and polishing parameters on particle emission and surface finish during dry polishing (roughing plus finishing). The experimental design factors are: cutting speed, feed rate, grit size and tool trajectories (straight, arc and spiral). The cutting parameters are optimized also.
The tool path was found to be a significant factor for particle concentrations from granite polishing. We have been able to determine the type of tool path and the polishing conditions (speed and feed rate) that result in fewer dust particles and a good surface finish. It has been shown that the right combination of cutting parameters and tool path can reduce particle emissions during dry granite polishing.
| Date | 27 Oct 2020 |
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| Original language | French |
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| Awarding Institution | - École de technologie supérieure
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| Supervisor | Victor Songmene (Supervisor) |
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Kouamou Njouokep, F. B. (Author),
Songmene (Supervisor),
27 Oct 2020Student thesis: Master's thesis › Master in Engineering: Mechanical Engineering