Evaluation of Parameters in a Fluid Cutting Equation

Abstract

The application of a high speed jet of water for cutting solid materials has gained general industrial acceptance, but as yet no method exists for prediction of the depth of cut based on documented material properties. Extensive experimental data for the cutting of woods, plastics, and lead have been obtained and applied to equations developed by Hashish and duPlessis [1], [2] resulting in correlations for two key parameters in Hashish’s equations; the coherent core length and the damping coefficient. This has led to a general method for predicting the depth of a water jet cut that requires no prior experimental data. Using only basic physical properties of a solid material, the depth of cut can be predicted for a given set of operating conditions including feed rate, nozzle diameter, standoff distance, and pressure.