Analysis based on surface and kerf performance in multi-simultaneous cutting of S235JR structural steel with abrasive water jet

Abstract

The use of S235JR structural steel materials is common in the manufacturing industry. These materials are typically supplied as plates and cut to the desired dimensions. However, conventional machining methods used to obtain smaller parts from these plates have quality, cost and time difficulties. Advanced manufacturing methods for mass production can cut materials in bulk, resulting in more parts in a shorter time. This study investigates the effects of an abrasive water jet on stacked plates through multi-simultaneous cutting. The experimental parameter of the gap distance between the stacks was varied to examine its effect on surface roughness and kerf widths. The results were used to explain the cutting mechanisms. Based on an analysis of surface and kerf performance, it was found that an inter-stack distance of 2 mm behaves like a single plate cutting for the stacks. The implemented concept defines inter-stack distance values that contain the optimum cutting performance outputs for multi-simultaneous cutting.