NON-CONVENTIONAL MACHINING

NON-CONVENTIONAL MACHINING

Abstract

Water jet cutting has been a specialty technology used in a wide variety of industries since about 1970. Around 1990, big advances in the technology were introduced that have caused this technology to become very popular for machine shops. There are now a lot of companies making profit by replacing and complementing conventional machining with water jet cutting methods.

Water jet cutting technology is a unique advanced level of automation able to cut almost all materials cost effectively. Water jet allows tremendous flexibility and versatility in manufacturing and provides for more cutting possibilities. Water jet is by far, the most flexible and desirable technology in business and delivers results with amazing reliability. Water jet Cutting uses Ultra High Pressure water 440 N/mm2 (up to 60,000 PSI), to cut through almost any material known to man.

There are two types of water jet cutting, pure water jet cutting & abrasive jet cutting. Various abrasive materials which can be used include olivine, garnet, and corundum with a particle size of between 50 to 120 mesh (0.2 to 0.5 mm).Abrasive cuttings allows harder materials to be cut at a faster rate by accelerating the erosion process.

Water jets remove material without heat. In this cold cutting process, the supersonic water jet stream performs a supersonic erosion process to "grind" away small grains of material. It is used in different applications like aerospace, automotive etc. Water jet machines are less expensive than laser machines, and are functionally superior to conventional metal cutting machines. Water jet technology has become a viable solution for end users, due to the availability of sophisticated software.

Introduction

In the battle to reduce costs, engineering and manufacturing departments are constantly on the lookout for an edge. The water jet process provides many unique capabilities and advantages that can prove very effective in the cost battle. Learning more about the water jet technology will give you an opportunity to put these cost-cutting capabilities to work.

Beyond cost cutting, the water jet process is recognized as the most versatile and fastest growing process in the world (per Frost & Sullivan and the Market Intelligence Research Corporation). Water jets are used in high production applications across the globe. They compliment other technologies such as milling, laser, EDM, plasma etc. No toxious gases or liquids are used in water jet cutting, and water jet does not create hazardous materials or vapors. No heat effected zones or mechanical stresses are left on a water jet cut surface. It is truly a versatile, productive, cold cutting process.

The water jet has shown that it can do things that other technologies simply cannot. From cutting whisper thin details in stone, glass and metals; to rapid hole drilling of titanium; to cutting of food, to the killing of pathogens in beverages and dips, the water jet has proven itself unique.

Water jets remove material without heat. In this cold cutting process, the supersonic water jet stream performs a supersonic erosion process to "grind" away small grains of material. After this water jet stream has been created, abrasive can be added to the stream to increase the power of the process many times.

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