Modeling Method and Experimental Study on the Random Distribution of Abrasive Particles in the Jet Cutting Process

The distribution of abrasive particles in fluids is an important research topic in the study of abrasive waterjet cutting processes. However, it is impossible to obtain the accurate distribution law and influencing factors by performing only experiments; therefore, it is necessary to study abrasive waterjet cutting processes with the help of numerical models. The existing numerical models usually adopt the form of artificial settings for the distribution of abrasive particles in fluid. This method cannot accurately simulate the random distribution of particles. In this paper, the random algorithm method is used to simulate the impact azimuth and the random distribution of abrasive particles in water. The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is used to simulate the distribution of abrasive particles and the process of jet impingement. The influence of the particle distribution on the simulation results is studied. Comparisons show that the dent formed by the jet impinging on the target with random abrasive particles is similar to the dent from the actual cut, and the contour distribution of the dent is more uniform than that of the cut. The simulation results obtained by the SPH method are accurate.

Study On Abrasive Particle Impact Modeling And Cutting Mechanism

Abrasive particles play a vital role in the impact on materials during abrasive waterjet cutting. To study the effect of particles on the cutting performance during abrasive waterjet cutting, the mostly irregular shape of the abrasive particles in the actual cutting process needs to be considered. In this paper, the particles are simplified as angular and circular particles. The method of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is used to simulate the process of particle impact targeting in abrasive jet cutting. Because the abrasive particle impact causes a large local deformation or removal of the surface of the target material, the traditional grid-based numerical method is not suitable for such problems; thus, the SPH method, which is suitable for the impact problem, is selected to establish the numerical model and solve it. In this paper, the fracture process of abrasive particles with different shapes of impact ductility and brittle target materials is studied by a numerical model. In the modeling process, abrasive particles are modeled as rigid bodies with material properties, the ductile materials is an aluminum alloy, the brittle material is quartz glass, which are simulated by changing the initial input conditions and particle shape, and the model is verified by experiments. The results show that the model successfully reproduces the collision process of particles during abrasive jet cutting, including the deformation mechanisms of plowing, fracture and crushing of the target.

Experimental Study of Abrasive Waterjet Cutting for Managing Residues in No-Tillage Techniques

A laboratory investigation of abrasive waterjet cutting of wheat straws was conducted. The work was aimed at a systematic characterization of the abrasive waterjet cutting capability of wheat straws, as a potential alternative to cutting discs currently adopted in no-till drills and planters for crop residue management. A two level 2IV7−3 fractional factorial design was applied to investigate the influence of abrasive waterjet process parameters on the cutting efficiency of wheat straws. Straw coverage thickness, water pressure, and orifice diameter were found to be the most significant ones. Experimental results suggest that straw cutting mechanism is mostly related to the hydraulic power of the jet. A multiple logistic regression was performed to model the relationship between the cutting efficiency and the jet power. The logistic model was then applied to estimate the average water and power consumption for wheat straw cutting during a no-tillage seeding operation. An average jet hydraulic power of 6400 W would be sufficiently high to guarantee 90% cutting efficiency in presence of heavy residue distribution. The experimental study shows that a small quantity of abrasive powder (50 g·min−1) allows one to increase the jet cutting capability of wheat straws, and to reduce the required maximum hydraulic power, compared to pure waterjet cutting. Results show are potentially relevant for field validation in agriculture based on no-tillage.

Recent Progress Trend on Abrasive Waterjet Cutting of Metallic Materials: A Review

Abrasive water jet machining has been extensively used for cutting various materials. In particular, it has been applied for difficult-to-cut materials, mostly metals, which are used in various manufacturing processes in the fabrication industry. Due to its vast applications, in-depth comprehension of the systems behind its cutting process is required to determine its effective usage. This paper presents a review of the progress in the recent trends regarding abrasive waterjet cutting application to extend the understanding of the significance of cutting process parameters. This review aims to append a substantial understanding of the recent improvement of abrasive waterjet machine process applications, and its future research and development regarding precise cutting operations in metal fabrication sectors. To date, abrasive waterjet fundamental mechanisms, process parameter improvements and optimization reports have all been highlighted. This review can be a relevant reference for future researchers in investigating the precise machining of metallic materials or characteristic developments in the identification of the significant process parameters for achieving better results in abrasive waterjet cutting operations.