Application of Laser Profilometry to Evaluation of the Surface of the Workpiece Machined by Abrasive Waterjet Technology

Abstract

The paper is an evaluation of the surface roughness of various materials produced by water jet cutting (AWJ, abrasive water jet). A 3D laser profilometer developed at the Department of Design and Technical Systems Monitoring at our University was used in roughness measurement. To verify the values measured by the laser profilometer, another measurement was performed using a 2D contact roughness meter. The tests were done on aluminum and stainless-steel materials, respectively. Six samples were produced; three made of stainless steel and three made of aluminum. All samples were produced at a different feed rate of the cutting head. This was adapted to the different roughness required, per the manufacturer’s material data sheets. Varying rates of separation translated into different qualities of the surfaces under evaluation. The evaluated roughness parameters were Ra and Rz. Dependencies were plotted in the chart based on the values measured, which were then compared and evaluated.