Capability of Advanced Abrasive Waterjet Machining and its Applications

Abstract

Abrasive waterjet machining has been recently considered as a promising, emerging non-conventional technology with an extensive growth in its market share and research activities. In this paper, a Europe’s first 5-axis AWJ system established at the University of Nottingham will be introduced followed by some of the research works explored on the capability of AWJ machining (e.g. AWJ cutting, AWJ drilling, AWJ milling, AWJ turning) on exotic materials such as Ti-based alloys at different niche applications. Thanks to advances in the complementary AWJ technology (e.g. ultra-high pressurized pump) and advanced machine designs (e.g. multi-axis machine movement), it was found that the machining capability of abrasive waterjet (even plain waterjet) can be extended if innovative strategies are applied.