Exploration and understanding of other celestial bodies will involve the same type of science used to understand our own planet earth. Specifically, much can be learned from studying the geology of the rocks present in a region of interest. One of the important tools used by geologists to understand and interpret rocks is a specimen called thin section. A thin section is produced by slicing a thin (typically thick) plate or tablet from the rock. In this paper, the design of an autonomous rough cutter, used to produce the first stage of the specimen preparation, that is, a tablet , is presented. Attention is given to the functional specification, the selection of cutting mechanism, in this case, diamond wire, and the design of the wire handling system. Also included are considerations of power usage, wire wear, and system configuration.
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e-mail: jschwend@mines.edu
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November 2010
Research Papers
Design Considerations for Development of a Wire-Based Rock Cutting Mechanism for Space Exploration
James R. Schwendeman,
James R. Schwendeman
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: jschwend@mines.edu
Colorado School of Mines
, Golden, CO 80401
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John P. H. Steele
John P. H. Steele
Search for other works by this author on:
James R. Schwendeman
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Colorado School of Mines
, Golden, CO 80401e-mail: jschwend@mines.edu
Christopher B. Dreyer
John P. H. Steele
J. Mech. Des. Nov 2010, 132(11): 111010 (8 pages)
Published Online: November 15, 2010
Article history
Received:
August 20, 2009
Revised:
March 14, 2010
Online:
November 15, 2010
Published:
November 15, 2010
Citation
Schwendeman, J. R., Dreyer, C. B., and Steele, J. P. H. (November 15, 2010). "Design Considerations for Development of a Wire-Based Rock Cutting Mechanism for Space Exploration." ASME. J. Mech. Des. November 2010; 132(11): 111010. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4001533
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