Analysis and Optimization of Process Parameters of Abrasive Flow Machining Process for Super Finishing of Non-Ferrous Material Nozzle

Abstract

This paper deals with the improving lay of finish and the superfinishing of the nozzles which is used in plasma cutting operation. This is basically alternative solution to present finish obtained by turning, drilling and reaming of the profiled bores and orifices. The advance micromachining process were developed, known as Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) which is capable to altering the orifice (nozzle of plasma cutting machines) so that present process is to be improved without altering the geometry of the component. The effects of different process parameters such as number of cycles, concentration of abrasive, abrasive mesh size and media flow speed, surface finish are studied here. The design of the experiments 16(24) provides two levels for each variable. These levels are taken into consideration for finding out the effect of variation of parameters on the surface roughness of the copper orifice. The objective of paper is to learn how each parameter is considered for Abrasive Flow Machining such as: abrasive concentration in media, number of cycles, abrasive mesh size and media flow speed affects the surface roughness of copper orifice also to find out the mathematical relationship between surface roughness value and process parameters. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for the experimental data has been carried out and optimizations of abrasive flow machining process parameters were done. Also Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) done here for selecting hierarchy process parameter .Capabilities of the machine ultimately improved with the new technology developed.