Methodology to Predict the Shape of the Tool Fabricated by AWJM Process

Abstract

Micro-machining and miniaturization of products have become the need of the industry. Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM) is a state-of-the-art non-traditional machining process making use of high pressure water converted to high velocity jet mixed with abrasives with an ability to cut various materials ranging from soft material like plastics, rubber, wood etc. to hard materials like titanium and inconel. The basic idea behind this research is to develop a methodology to predict the shape of channels fabricated using AWJM. For this purpose, channels were fabricated by performing experiments by varying the process parameters namely, pressure, stand-off distance and abrasive size. Then, a Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines based simulation model has been developed using experimental data and validated to predict the shape of the channels fabricated using AWJM.