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Operating Parameters: Rotational Speed for Diamond

Impregnated Core Bits
General guidelines for the determination of rotational speed
A peripheral speed of 2.7 to 4.7 metres/second (9 to 15.5 feet/second) measured on the outside diameter of the
bit crown will often provide an acceptable rate of penetration (ROP).

A higher peripheral speed will often yield a higher ROP. However, higher peripheral speeds often reduce the rate of
wear on the bit’s matrix layer – not allowing new layers of synthetic diamond to become exposed thus causing the
original layers of diamond to become flat and polished. Conversely, a lower than recommended peripheral speed
will cause the bit’s matrix layer to abrade more readily, particularly under higher bit loads. This may result in the
premature failure of the bit crown.

Other considerations related to rotational speed ...

• The formation conditions at a particular drill site may permit the use of higher rotational speeds and
penetration rates than those recommended in this document.
• Rotational speeds approaching the recommended maximum may be applied in cases where softer or more
abrasive rock types are predominant in the formation being drilled.

Recommended Rotational Speeds

for Diamond Impregnated Core Bits
3000

2412
2500
2511
Rotational Speed (rev/min)

1898
2000
1965
1614
1464
1500
1517
1406 1146 1189
1106 1369 Max
1051
1200 946
1000 Min
779 740
941 895 690
885 613 619
798 551
700 693
500
522
454 432 402 361

Bit Size

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 Dimatec Inc. ● Operating Parameters: Rotational Speed for Diamond Impregnated Core Bits

Calculation of rotational speed

The following formulae may be used to determine the required rotational speed (s) for any diamond impregnated
diamond core bit or casing shoe:

Imperial system
Where:
12 d = The mean outside diameter of the bit crown measured in inches. Normally, this
𝑠 = ( )𝑝 value is considered to be the mid-point of the outside set diameter tolerance.
𝜋𝑑
p = The peripheral speed of the outside diameter of the bit crown measured in feet per
minute. In order to establish the recommended rotational speed range, it is necessary
to perform this calculation twice: Where one calculation is used to determine the
minimum recommended rotational speed and the other calculation is used to
determine the maximum recommended rotational speed. The value p is a function of
the type of cutting media on the core bit or casing shoe. In the case of diamond
impregnated products, the values of p are:
540 feet/minute (Minimum) and 930 feet/minute (Maximum).

Metric system
Where:
1000 d = The mean outside diameter of the bit crown measured in millimetres. Normally,
𝑠=( )𝑝 this value is considered to be the mid-point of the outside set diameter tolerance.
𝜋𝑑
p = The peripheral speed of the outside diameter of the bit crown measured in metres
per minute. In order to establish the recommended rotational speed range, it is
necessary to perform this calculation twice: Where one calculation is used to
determine the minimum recommended rotational speed and the other calculation is
used to determine the maximum recommended rotational speed. The value p is a
function of the type of cutting media on the core bit or casing shoe. In the case of
diamond impregnated products, the values of p are:
165 metres/minute (Minimum) and 284 metres/minute (Maximum).

Penetration rate index (PRI)

The concept of PRI should be considered when establishing the optimum rotational speed setting for an
impregnated diamond core bit. The PRI provides the operator with an indication as to whether the bit is being
overfed or underfed in relation to the rotational speed being used.

The PRI is calculated by simply dividing the rotational speed (s) by the observed penetration rate (r):

𝑠
PRI =
𝑟
For optimum performance, the drill operator should try to maintain a PRI of either:
• 80 to 120 revolutions per cm drilled OR
• 200 to 300 revolutions per inch drilled.

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 Dimatec Inc. ● Operating Parameters: Rotational Speed for Diamond Impregnated Core Bits

The following graphs illustrate the range in which penetration rates should be maintained for optimum performance.

Note that when properly applied, VORTEX-type impregnated core bits will often achieve higher rates of penetration
than those recommended in this document without creating an “overfeeding” condition.

Target Penetration Rates for Impregnated Core Bits

Based on PRI of 80 to 120 rev/cm Drilled
35.0 32.0
30.7
Penetration Rate (cm /min)

30.0

25.0
24.9 24.1
20.0
20.6
19.3 15.0
15.0 17.5
12.2
11.9 15.2 11.4
13.5 9.9 9.4 Max
10.0 12.5
6.9
9.7 9.4 5.8 5.8 5.1 4.6 8.9 Min
7.9 7.6 7.9
5.0
4.3 3.8 3.6 3.3 3.1
0.0
46mm
E

101mm

116mm
36mm

56mm

66mm

76mm

86mm

131mm

146mm / S
Bit Size

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 Dimatec Inc. ● Operating Parameters: Rotational Speed for Diamond Impregnated Core Bits

Target Penetration Rates for Impregnated Core Bits

Based on PRI of 200 to 300 rev/inch Drilled
14.0
12.6
12.1
Penetration Rate (inch/min)

12.0

10.0
9.8 9.5 8.1
8.0 6.9
7.6
6.0 4.9 4.8
4.7 6.0 4.5
5.9 3.9
5.3 3.7 Max
4.0
2.7
3.8 3.7 2.3 2.3 2.0 3.5
Min
3.1 3.0 3.1
2.0
1.8 1.7 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2
0.0

101mm

116mm
36mm

46mm

56mm

66mm

76mm

86mm

131mm

146mm / S
Bit Size

Conversion factors
Length Pressure
1 mm = 0.039 inch 1 MPa = 1 N/mm2
1 inch = 25.4 mm 1 MPa = 145 lb/inch2
1 Bar = 100 kPa = 14.5 lb/inch2
Force 1 lb/inch2 = 0.0069 MPa
1 N = 0.225 lbf 1 lb/inch2 = 6.9 kPa
1 kN = 225 lbf
1 lbf = 4.45 N Volume
1 litre = 0.264 gal (US)
Mass 1 litre = 0.220 gal (Imperial)
1 kg = 2.205 lb 1 gal (US) = 3.785 litres
1 lb = 0.454 kg 1 gal (Imperial) = 4.546 litres

Technical Data Sheet TD104

Revision 5
Document Release Date: May 13, 2019

The technical application data in this document is intended as a basic guideline for the selection of the appropriate tools for your job. As drilling
conditions and the capabilities of drilling equipment vary considerably from site to site, it is impossible to define absolute parameters for the application
of our drilling tools. Some experimentation on the part of the end user may be required as parameters outside of those recommended in Dimatec’s
product literature may be applicable. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the data contained in this document. Dimatec Inc. cannot
accept any liability due to errors or omissions in the data that we provide. Dimatec Inc. is constantly working to improve our products and therefore
reserve the right to make changes to materials, specifications, prices and technical data without prior notice.

Dimatec Inc. • 180 Cree Crescent • Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3J 3W1
Telephone: Toll-Free 1-866-202-5875 (Canada and US) or (204) 832-2828 • Fax: (204) 832-4268 • E-mail: info@dimatec.com • Website: www.dimatec.com

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