WORKING

Every cutting method is based on the input of energy into the material, in order to overcome the chemical bindings present in the structure of the material. Thermal cutting methods, for example, utilize the energy of chemical reactions, electricity or light to produce high temperatures in order to melt the material at the cutting kerfs. Mechanical methods utilize the kinetic energy of the moving tools or farm ductile materials through the application of pressure. Water jet cutting can be classified as a mechanical method. The energy of the rapidly moving jet is utilized either in the form of pure water jet or abrasive water jet and then applied to the work piece causing microerosion. The cutting water works as a cooling agent of cutting edge, thus allowing for a very high quality cut. The one main component which is without any doubt always necessary to create water jet is the high pressure pump. There is a reservoir provided at the bottom os the arrangement and from that reservoir the water is being pumped to the nozzle with the aid of a very high pressure pump. Then the highly pressurized water from the pump travels through a nozzle of a small jet diameter and thus due to the small cross sectional area its velocity and intensity is further increased to a greater extent and now this high speed stream of water is ready to serve its purpose. The work to be machined is kept on the table and being clamped by the aid of some means on the table so as not to get disrupt under the high speed of water. The water falls on the workpiece and at the point of impingement due to high velocity and pressure it removes the material and thus the machining is facilitated.

Figure 1 working of nozzle

A little modification to the process of water jet machining is done in order to enhance the cutting effect and efficiency and to reduce the machining time is done by adding the abrasives which enhances the cutting efficiency. In the figure shown above it is clear that as the water flows through high velocity at the end of water issuing abrasives are added to it and thus process so called is Abrasive Water Jet Machining.

Figure 2.2 Block diagram of water jet machine