Polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutter is the key component of a drill bit. Recently the shaped PDC cutters, especially the axe-shaped cutter (ASC), have been warmly welcomed by the drilling engineers. However, the rock-breaking mechanism of ASC is rarely studied. In order to investigate the cutting action of ASC, comparative experiments of ASC and conventional cylinder-shaped cutter were carried out based on a vertical turret lathe (VTL). VTL tests' procedure were modified to mimic the initial state, steady state of PDC cutter in the real down hole drilling. The cutting forces and temperature were measured using a dynamometer load cell (3-component force sensor) and a thermocouple, respectively. The results show that ASC has better wear resistance and cutting efficiency than the conventional cylinder-shaped cutter. ASC is easier to press into the rock with its pointed geometry, leading to lower normal force at the initial state of cutting. The cutter shape has large influence on the cutters’ resistance to impact. In addition, both the normal force and tangential force required by ASC during stable cutting are less than that of conventional cylinder-shaped cutter under the same test conditions. Although the cuttings produced by both ASC and conventional cutter have pretty similar particle size distributions, ASC consumes less energy to break the rock based on the fractal analysis of cuttings.

多晶金刚石复合片（PDC）刀具是钻头的关键部件。最近，异型PDC刀具，尤其是斧形刀具（ASC），受到了钻井工程师的热烈欢迎。然而，很少研究ASC的破岩机理。为了研究ASC的切削作用，在立式转塔车床（VTL）的基础上进行了ASC与传统圆柱刀具的对比实验。修改了VTL测试程序，以模拟实际井下钻削过程中PDC刀具的初始状态，稳态。切削力和温度分别使用测力计测力传感器（三分量力传感器）和热电偶测量。结果表明，ASC的耐磨性和切削效率均优于传统的圆筒形刀具。ASC的尖端几何形状更易于压入岩石，从而在初始切割状态下可降低法向力。刀具的形状对刀具的抗冲击性有很大的影响。此外，在相同的测试条件下，ASC在稳定切削过程中所需的法向力和切向力均小于传统的圆筒形刀具。尽管由ASC和常规切割机生产的钻屑具有非常相似的粒度分布，但根据对钻屑的分形分析，ASC消耗的能量更少，可以破碎岩石。在相同的测试条件下，ASC在稳定切削过程中所需的法向力和切向力均小于传统的圆筒形刀具。尽管由ASC和常规切割机生产的钻屑具有非常相似的粒度分布，但根据对钻屑的分形分析，ASC消耗的能量更少，可以破碎岩石。在相同的测试条件下，ASC在稳定切削过程中所需的法向力和切向力均小于传统的圆筒形刀具。尽管由ASC和常规切割机生产的钻屑具有非常相似的粒度分布，但根据对钻屑的分形分析，ASC消耗的能量更少，可以破碎岩石。