Papers by Keyword: Micro Abrasive Air Jet

Abstract: Micro abrasive air jet (MAAJ) cutting is a promising technology for the fabrication of three-dimensional microstructures in hard and brittle materials. In this paper, a study on the cross-sectional shape of the kerf cut with MAAJ is presented. It shows that the machining depth and slope of the sidewall increase with an increase in air pressure, abrasive flow rate and jet incidence angle, while decrease with an increase in nozzle traverse speed. Using a dimensional analysis technique, predictive model for cross-sectional profile is developed. The research results may be meaningful to the highly precision three-dimensional micro-structural cutting.

Abstract: Micro abrasive air jet (MAAJ) cutting technology is being increasingly used in the precision machining of hard and brittle materials, due to its distinct advantages of negligible heat effect zone and small cutting force. In this paper, an experimental study on the kerf characteristics, especially for the effect of cutting parameters on the top edge definition, is presented. It shows that the top kerf edge is straight but not sharp. The top edge definition of the kerf improves with a decrease in the air pressure, while the effect of abrasive flow rate and nozzle traverse speed are hardly discernible. The optimum jet incidence angle for highest top edge definition of the kerf is 60°. The results of this paper may be useful for the cutting parameters optimization in the precision three-dimensional micro-structural machining.