Title: Influence of jet impact angle on part geometry in abrasive waterjet turning of aluminium alloys

Authors: R. Manu, N. Ramesh Babu

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India

Abstract: This paper covers the investigations conducted to study the influence of jet impact angle on the geometry of part produced by Abrasive Waterjet (AWJ) turning process. Preliminary investigations were conducted on a specially designed cylindrical test specimen to examine the influence of jet impact angle and other process parameters on the depth of penetration of AWJs into the material. Based on the results of these investigations, the set of conditions suitable for efficient material removal were determined. The same conditions were chosen for turning of cylindrical parts with AWJs with a view to analyse the influence of these conditions on the material removal and the geometry of part produced. The material removal was characterised by the reduction in the diameter of part, and the geometry of part was assessed by means of roundness error and finish on the surface of part turned with AWJs.

Keywords: abrasive waterjets; AWJ; waterjet machining; part geometry; turning; jet penetration depth; jet impact angle; aluminium alloys; cylindrical parts; material removal; roundness errors; surface finish.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2008.017629

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2008 Vol.3 No.1/2, pp.120 - 132

Published online: 23 Mar 2008 *

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