Hydro Abrasive Cutting
Hydro Abrasive Cuttingis a popular technology for processing metals and alloys. Also, the technique is actively used for cutting materials such as stone, concrete, rubber, glass, ceramics, etc. The technology consists in the use of a water jet with an admixture of abrasive particles, which enters the crushed object under high pressure. The technology that appeared about 50 years ago and the machines used in the process are regularly upgraded and, thanks to some existing features (cutting dielectric materials, minimum temperature at the cut point, etc.), serve as an excellent replacement for plasma, laser and other cutting methods.
Innovative technological machines are used for cutting, the analogue of which was designed and produced in the 80s of the last century. The waterjet cutting machine consists of a housing protected by a casing, a desktop for fixing and marking the workpiece, a container with water, a sensor, a control and adjustment mechanism.
The main working parts of such a machine are the following:
- A pump capable of receiving pressures up to 6500 Barrels.
- Nozzle, where the speed of the incoming water reaches 1200 m/s.
- Abrasive supply pipe.
- Mixing tube.
- Nozzle with exit armhole.
The abrasive substance delivered at maximum speed has a cutting effect on the workpiece, which leads to the separation of material particles at the site of the beam.
Compared to other technologies, waterjet metal cutting has the following advantages:
- The minimum temperature in the working area, which makes it possible to cut fusible materials and eliminates the burnout of alloying parts.
- Economic waste of material.
- Possibility of processing workpieces with a thickness of more than 30 cm.
- Excellent cut edge quality, no need for various additional processes.
- Safe production of processes, which is achieved due to the absence of the release of hazardous substances and the minimum temperature in the working area.
The disadvantages of this technology include a relatively low cutting speed of thin steel and rapid wear of the cutting part, as well as other parts.