WHAT IS ABRASIVE JET MACHINING ?

It is the material removal process where the

material is removed by high velocity stream of
air/gas or water and abrasive mixture .
An abrasive is small, hard particle having sharp
edges and an irregular shape .
High velocity jet is aimed at a surface under
controller condition .
 COMPONENTS OF ABRASIVE JET
MACHINING
Abrasivedelivery system
Control system

Pump

Nozzle

Mixing tube

Motion system
1. ABRASIVE DELIVERY SYSTEM

Auto abrasive delivery system has the capability

of storing abrasive & delivery the abrasive to
the bucket . Its works auto programming
system by help of once measuring record & no
adjustment or fine tuning system . High sensitive
sensor gives extremely reliable & repeatable .
2.CONTROL SYSTEM
The control algorithm that computes exactly
how the feed rate should vary for a given
geometry in a given material to make a precise
part .
The algorithm actually

determines desired variation

in the feed rate & the tool
path to provide an extremely
smooth feed rate .
3.PUMP
Crankshaft & intensifier pump are mainly use
in the abrasive jet machine .
The intensifier pump was the

only pump capable of reliably

creating pressures high .
Crankshaft pumps are more

efficient than intensifier pumps

because they do not require a power robbing
hydraulic system ultra high pressure & more
stroke per minute .
 4.NOZZLE
All abrasive jet systems use the same basic two
stage nozzle . First , water passes through a
small diameter jewel orifice to form a narrow
jet .
The abrasive particles are accelerated by the
moving stream of water & they pass into a
long hollow cylindrical
ceramic mixing tube.
Generally two type of nozzle
use , right angle head &
straight head .
 FIG. OF NOZZLE
5. MIXING TUBE
The mixing tube is where the abrasive mixes
with the high pressure water .
The mixing tube should be

replaced when tolerances

drop below acceptable levels .
For maximum accuracy ,

replace the mixing tube

more frequently .
6.MOTION SYSTEM
In order to make precision parts , an abrasive
jet system must have a precision x-y table and
motion control system .
Tables fall into three general categories .

Floor-mounted gantry systems

Integrated table/gantry systems

Floor-mounted cantilever systems

 WORKING PROCESS

High pressure water starts at the pump , and is

delivered through special high pressure
plumbing to the nozzle .
At the nozzle , abrasive is introduced & as the
abrasive/water mixture exits , cutting is
performed .
Once the jet has exited the nozzle , the energy
is dissipated into the catch tank , which is
usually full of water & debris from previous
cut .
 FIG . SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF AJM
 AJM FEATURES
There are main features of AJM
Obtainable tolerances

Material to machine

Material thickness

Accuracy of table

Stability of table

Control abrasive jet

 MACHINE ASPECTS
Around curves
Inside corner
Feed rate
Acceleration
Nozzle focus
Speed cutting
Pump pressure
Hardness & thickness
Software controlling the motion
Power at the nozzle
 TYPES OF ABRASIVE MATERIALS

Different types of abrasive are used in abrasive

jet machining like garnet , aluminum oxide
, olivine , silica sand , silicon carbide ,etc .
Virtually any material can be cut by using
abrasive jet machining method , i.e harder
materials like titanium to steel.
Abrasive particles must be hard ,high toughness,

irregular in shape & edges should be sharp .

 ADVANTAGES
Extremely fast setup & programming
No start hole required

There is only one tool

Low capital cost

Less vibration

No heat generated in work piece

Environmentally friendly
 DISADVANTAGES
Low metal removal rate
Due to stay cutting accuracy is affected

Abrasive powder cannot be reused

Tapper is also a problem

 CONCLUSION
The better performance , and the applications
represented above statements confirm that
ABRASIVE JET MACHINING is continue to
expand .
The new softwares used to minimize time and
investments , there by making it possible for
more manufacturers of precision parts to
install AJM centers .