If you are professional dealing in construction sector you would be aware that every construction project requires some type of concrete cutting or core boring. It may be appearing quite simple and straightforward, but practically there are many factors that require attention to execute a safe and successful concrete cutting project.
Concrete cutting calls for sharp and appropriate tools; best equipments in good shape; good supply of cooling water and of course an apt and experienced operator. Concrete operating cutting equipment can be used simply and safely but for this you should be well acquainted with the potential hazards and must be aware of the functions and features of the device you are operating.
You can employ different mechanisms and tools when it comes to cutting concrete. A basic knowledge of concrete-cutting processes can be of the essence for you to perform a project.
Diamond Drilling
Diamond saws work fast and precisely compare to other cutting techniques. You would also need fewer operators and it can also enable you to cut reo bar and other metals that are often required in the construction process. Diamond saws are noiseless and generate least vibration compare to any other type of drilling and cutting tools. At the same time they’re less likely to harm the surrounding parts of the floor or concrete.
Concrete Wall Sawing
This method encompasses a circular blade fixed on a track-mounted tool. This track enables the tools to climb the walls and cut ceilings also. Generally, this technique is facilitated to cut walls that are thicker than 16 inches and seldom those concretes that are 36 inches thick or more. This is entirely a different technique and warrants experience and expertise.
Wire Sawing
It is used when all cutting methods collapse or go to toss. These are mostly used for larger concrete-cutting projects. These saws constitute of multi-strand cable having small diamond segments aligned through an array of pulleys attached to a hydraulic powered wheel. When the wheels pull the cable the wire spins around and cuts the material.
Flat Drilling
Such drilling process is often used for parting flat surfaces, like floors, pavements and bridge platforms. It’s often considered to be slab sawing also. In this method the tools used are kept on a cart that you can push from the rear. Such process can help you reach broken pipes or wiring under a concrete floor, highway, patching or road and cutting plumbing canals.
Core Drilling
This process of drilling is used for making precise circular holes. You can use this for forming exit for pipes, electrical wires or ventilating, heating, or air conditioning vents to fit through. You can also use this drilling machine for collecting concrete samples. These are steel tubes having diamond-tipped bits.
Precautions
All the above stated tools are highly effective but at the same time there are certain guidelines that should be followed while using these tools. Concrete dust is harmful to the lung, eyes and sinuses. It also becomes abrasive and corrosive damaging the surrounding concretes too.
You need to control the dust erupting out of this drill bits. It can either be controlled by wet cutting in which the dust is accumulated in the cooling water or using pneumatic tools that can suck the dust in an air stream.
When putting in use the diamond cutting blade or any other abrasive disk drilling device like concrete saw, water is used to cool the cutting tools. You must manage the spillage of cooling water and drainage should be offered or a vacuum mechanism like wet vacuum can be attached to monitor spreading of the cooling water.
It also requires proper grounding, insulation and right ground fault protection. You must also be aware of the possibility of machine base rotates violently without warning. You should keep your body away from the possible rotation route of the device base during a core drilling process.
Don’t forget to de-active any power channels that are in the surrounding of the cutting or drilling operation.
These are the mechanisms and techniques that can be facilitated to cut the concrete using various concrete cutting saws and tools. All these tools are meant for different applications given the situation and requirement of the occasion. As every machine manifests certain flaws if not handled properly, it is suggested to get yourself accustomed with the type of tool you are going to use beforehand to get the best output.