The Effect of Beam Angle in Abrasive-Waterjet Machining

Abstract

In the machining of materials, abrasive-waterjets are typically applied at a 90 deg. angle to the surface of the workpiece. This paper presents results and observations on machining with abrasive-waterjets at angles other than 90 deg. Previous visualization studies of the cutting process in transparent materials have shown that there are optimal angles for maximum depth of cut and kerf depth uniformity. Here, observations on the effect of angle in machining applications such as turning, milling, linear cutting, and drilling are addressed. The effects of variations in both the impact angle and the rake angle are investigated. Results indicate that the volume removal rate is significantly affected by these angles and that the surface finish can be improved by angling the jet. However, shallow angle drilling of small holes in laminated or ceramic-coated materials requires further investigation.