Highlights Sixteen DRD drill head designs are tested in mars regolith. Teeth angle and spacing has no significant effect on performance. Total drill radius has inverse power relationship with final depth. Non-vertical drilling tended to increase drilling depth and speed.

    Abstract The dual-reciprocating drill (DRD) is a biologically-inspired concept which has shown promise in planetary environments, requiring a lower overhead force than traditional rotary drilling techniques. By using two reciprocating backwards-facing teethed halves to grip the surrounding substrate, it generates a traction force that reduces the required overhead penetration force. Research into DRD has focused on the effects of operational and substrate parameters on performance compared to static penetration, with minimal study of the geometrical parameters which define the drill head. This paper presents the exploration of the effects of drill head design on drilling depth and power consumption. Sixteen variations of the original design were tested in planetary regolith simulants up to depths of 800mm. The experiments showed relationships between final depth, total drill radius and cone shape, though the teeth design had a negligible effect on performance. These results can be used alongside the previous research to optimise the future design and operation of the DRD. Drill stem bending was seen to cause an increase in drilling speed and depth, leading to the exploration of the mechanics of diagonal drilling. This resulted in the proposal of a fully-integrated system prototype that incorporates both reciprocating and lateral motion mechanisms.


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    Title :

    Analysis of drill head designs for dual-reciprocating drilling technique in planetary regoliths


    Contributors:
    Pitcher, Craig (author) / Gao, Yang (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 56 , 8 ; 1765-1776


    Publication date :

    2015-07-07


    Size :

    12 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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