Abrasive WaterJet Machining of Thick Carrara Marble: Cutting Performance vs. Profile, Lagging and WaterJet Angle Assessments

Abstract

This paper deals with an assessment of the machined surface created by abrasive waterjet technology regarding its cutting performance versus profile, lagging and waterjet angle assessments. The results of the experiments presented in this study are with regard to Carrara marble. The machined surfaces were measured in seven different locations across a 40 mm depth of cut by a high precision contact-type profilometer and thus assessed using the standardized amplitude parameters of the profile distribution. The lagging and waterjet angle were also evaluated by creating a digital photo of the machined surface together with a reference gauge. The existence of machining marks on the machined surface has been mostly noticeable in the bottom zone around ~20 mm depth of cut down to jet exit. This investigation leads to a conclusion that, stand-off distance and traverse rate play the roles of the utmost importance in considerations of the machined surface quality in contrast to abrasive mass flow rate. In addition, while the striation zone (rough surface) cannot be eliminated entirely, by selecting proper process parameters, a smooth cutting machined surface can be accomplished.