Response surface methods used for optimization of abrasive waterjet machining of the stainless steel x2 crnimo 17-12-2

Abstract

Abrasive waterjet machining (AWJM) has a particularly high potential for the machining of stainless steels. One of the main optimization objectives of the machining of X2 CrNiMo 17-12-2 stainless steel is obtaining a minimal surface roughness. This entails selecting an optimum configura-tion of the main influencing factors of the machining process. Optimization of the machining system was achieved by intervening on four selected input quantities (traverse speed, waterjet pressure, stand-off distance, and grit size), with three set points considered for each. The effects of modifying the set-points of each input parameter on the surface roughness were studied. By means of response surface methodology (RSM) the combination of factor set points was determined that ensures a minimum roughness of the machined surface. The main benefit of RSM is the reduced time needed for experimenting.