Title: Development of an innovative coolant system for rotary ultrasonic machining

Authors: Z.C. Li, Y. Jiao, T.W. Deines, Z.J. Pei, C. Treadwell

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. ' Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. ' Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. ' Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. ' Sonic-Mill, 7500 Bluewater Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121, USA

Abstract: Rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM), a hybrid machining process combining the material removal mechanisms of diamond grinding and ultrasonic machining, has been recognised as a reliable and cost-effective machining method for hard-to-machine materials such as advanced ceramics. There exist a number of articles on this process, but no one has reported systematic studies on coolant effects. In this paper, the air-operated double diaphragm pump is used for the first time in rotary ultrasonic machining to develop a novel coolant system to study the coolant effect on RUM performances, including vertical cutting force, material removal rate and surface roughness. Experiments with different coolant delivery modes are conducted and the material removal process in rotary ultrasonic machining when employing the new coolant system is discussed.

Keywords: advanced ceramics; ceramics machining; coolant; material removal rate; cutting force; rotary ultrasonic machining; surface roughness; non-traditional machining; advanced machining; diamond grinding.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2005.006835

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2005 Vol.7 No.2/3/4, pp.318 - 328

Published online: 17 Apr 2005 *

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