Some Common Problems Associated With Concrete Core Drilling With Diamond Core Bits and How to Solve Them

Almost all concrete structures will require core drilling services at some stage. Concrete core drilling is critical for a wide variety of applications such as plumbing and electrical installations where circular holes are required. The use of diamond core bits in concrete core drilling jobs is commonplace. But just like with any other piece of mechanical equipment, the use of diamond core bits for concrete core drilling is associated with a number of issues that should concern any operator.

Read on to get acquainted with some of the most common problems operators encounter when drilling through concrete with diamond core bits.

Diamond drill not functioning

An inoperative drill is a very big problem because it means all drilling work will stop until the problem is resolved. There are lots of possible reasons for this. First, it could be that you are using the wrong drill. So make sure to check the performance characteristics of your drill before engaging it. Second, your drill may require dressing to expose a new layer of diamonds, especially if the drill has not been used in a long time. You can dress your diamonds with an aluminium oxide stick. If you are using the manufacturer-recommended drill and it is drilling slowly, you might simply need to adjust/increase your equipment's drilling speed.

Core bit barrel wear

If signs of wear are visible on your core bit barrel, it is likely that the core drilling system isn't appropriately secured on the concrete. Anchoring can be improved by inspecting the system for any loose adjusting screws or fasteners and tightening them if necessary. The wear down could also occur due to low water flow—in which case you will need to increase water flow. Another possible reason for the wear could be that the system generates excessive vibrations, say because of a damaged motor shaft. In this situation, the faulty component will need to be repaired or replaced.

Material overheating

Another common issue encountered with diamond core bits during core drilling jobs is the overheating of concrete being drilled out. Usually, this occurs when the amount of coolant reaching the drilling zone is insufficient. Fixing this problem is rather easy. All you have to do is jet high pressure coolant through the core drill.

The best way to minimise drilling problems when you are working with diamond core bits is to go about the job professionally. For more information about concrete core drilling, contact local professionals.


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