A Review on Abrasive Waterjet and Wire Electrical Discharge Machining – High Speed

Abstract

Technological advancement, on the one hand, makes Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) much faster. One example of that is the presence of Wire Electrical Discharge Machining -High Speed (WEDM-HS) machine, which makes the material removal rate as high as 80 mm 2 /min. On the other hand, it also make Abrasive Waterjet (AWJ) achieve much better quality surface and tighter tolerance. As a result, these two machining processes have converged to the point where they can achieve same requirements quite nicely in selected applications. However, when examining closely, these two processes are quite different in many aspects. This paper reviews the main features of these two processes. The review leads to the essential differences between these two processes. Based on this review, proper applications of each process has been provided.

Shaping Porous, Low Density Al Composites by AWJ Cutting Process

“…Conventional machining promotes too much damage, destroying the cells -cell walls yield or fracture in their thinnest section which is not necessarily in the cutting plane, resulting in poor surface quality and low precision [6,7]. Machining process involving low cutting forces added to the target material must be employed, such as electrical discharge machining or abrasive water-jet machining [8]. In EDM, melting off cell walls can jeopardize quality of finished surfaces; besides, penetration of dielectric fluid into the porous structure requires further extra cleaning operations [6].…”