User:Creeve4

Abrasive Jet Machining
Abrasive Jet Machining is a finishing process that removes material from workpieces by focusing a high speed stream of abrasive particles carried in an air jet.

Characteristics
- Uses a high velocity stream of abrasive particles carried in and air or gas jet.

- Used for machining delicate or very hard materials.

- Produces no heat damage to workpiece surface.

- Produces a taper in deep cuts.

Equipment
Commercial bench-mountable units are most often used. Setup consists of a power supply and mixer, exhaust hood, nozzle, and gas or water supply. The nozzle can be hand held or mounted in a fixture for automatic operation.

Nozzles

Nozzles must be highly resistant to abrasion and are typically made of tungsten carbide or synthetic sapphire. For average material removal tungsten carbide nozzles have a useful life of 12 to 30 hours, and sapphire nozzles last about 300 hours. The distance of the nozzle from the workpiece affects the size of the machined area and the rate of material removal.

Abrasive Jet Material

Listed are several common types of abrasives, their grit sizes, and nozzle diameters.

Process
Material is removed by fine abrasive particles, usually about 0.001 in. in diameter, contained in a high velocity air stream. The process is used mainly to cut materials that are sensitive to heat-sensitive, brittle, thin, or hard. Intricate shapes and cuts are performed easily.