Today we will learn about abrasive jet machining principle,
working, equipment’s, application, advantages and disadvantages with its diagram. Abrasive jet
machining is a non-traditional machining process which is mostly used in
machining of hardened metals. In this machining process a focus stream of
abrasive particles are forces to impinge on work piece at high velocity. These
high velocity abrasive particles remove metal by brittle fracture or
erosion from work piece.
Abrasive Jet Machining:
Principle:
This machining process works on the basic principle of
abrasive erosion. If a high velocity abrasive particles strike on a hard or
brittle work piece, it remove some metal at the striking surface. This metal
removal process takes place due to brittle fracture of metal and also due to
micro cutting by abrasive particle. This is principle process of abrasive jet
machining.
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Equipment’s:
Gas Propulsion System:
The main purpose of gas propulsion system is to provide
clean and dry, high velocity air or gas for machining. Mostly air, carbon dioxide,
Nitrogen etc. are used as gas in gas propulsion system. This system consists,
compressor, air filter and drier. The gas used in this system should easily
available. First gas is compressed into a compressor. This compressed gas
sends to filler and drier where all dust and unwanted particle along with
moisture remove from it. Now these clean air send to mixing chamber
Abrasive feeder:
As the name implies, abrasive feeder is used to provide
abrasive particles in mixing chamber. It is fed through a sieve which vibrates
at 50-60 Hz and mixing ratio is control by the vibration of the sieve and its
amplitude.
Abrasive:
These are the main particles which take part in machining
process. These particles should have high metal removal rate and accuracy. The most
common abrasive particles used are aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, boron
carbide etc. The selection of abrasive particle is depends upon material of
work piece, speed of machining, and machining environment.
Cutting Nozzle:
To direct the abrasive particle on work piece cutting
nozzles are used. They are usually made by tungsten carbide. They are available
in both circular and square cross section. Its life is usually low about 30
hours for tungsten carbide.
Machining Chamber:
It is fully closed
air tight chamber witch control the concentration of abrasive particle around
work piece. This is equipped with a vacuum dust collector which collect used
abrasive particle and removed material from mixing chamber.
Working:
The basic concept of abrasive jet machining is abrasive
erosion or metal cutting by high velocity abrasive particle. Its working
process can be easily summarized into following point.
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| Diagram of Abrasive Jet Machining |
- First gas or air is compressed into gas compressor. There the density and pressure of gas increases.
- Now this compressed gas send to filtration unit, where dust and other suspended particle removed from it.
- This clean gas sends to drier, which absorb moisture from it. It is used to avoid water or oil contamination of abrasive power.
- Now this clean and dry gas sends to mixing chamber where abrasive feeder feed abrasive particle in it. The abrasive particle is about 50 micro meter grit size.
- This high pressuring abrasive carried gas send to nozzle where its pressure energy converted into kinetic energy. The velocity of abrasive particle leaving the nozzle is about 200m/s.
- The standoff distance between work piece and nozzle is about 2mm.
- Now these high velocity abrasive particles impinge on work piece. These high velocity abrasive particles remove the material by micro cutting action as well as brittle fracture of the work material.
Application:
- It is used in drilling and cutting of hardened metals.
- It is used for machining brittle and heat sensitive material like glass, quartz, sapphire, mica, ceramic etc.
- It is Use to manufacture electronic devices.
- It is used in deburring small holes and some critical zones in machine parts.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
- High surface finish.
- It can machine heat sensitive material.
- It is free from vibration
- Initialization cost is low compare to other non-traditional processes.
- Thin section can be machined easily.
Disadvantages:
- Low metal removal rate.
- Abrasive particle can embedded into work piece mostly in soft metals.
- Nozzle life is limited so it needs frequently replacement.
- Abrasive particle cannot be reuse in this process.
- It cannot use for machine soft and ductile material.
This is all about abrasive jet machining principle, working,
equipment, application, advantages and disadvantages with its diagram. If you
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