Abrasive water-jet applications in 6 mm flat glass cuttings

Abstract

Abrasive Water-Jet Cutting (AWJC) is an unique technique and has found wide applications in the glass cutting industry due to high performance and cost-effective properties. There are several interconnected parameters of great importance in this method. In this experimental study, the selected AWJC parameters are working distances (3, 4 and 5 mm) and feed rates (1000, 1250 and 1500 mm/min) at constant water pressure (140 bar), abrasive grain size (120 mesh) and nozzle diameter (0,76 mm). This study will be concerned with investigating the effects of these parameters on the surface quality of flat glasses. AWJC can improve the surface quality of flat glass, if the cutting parameters are chosen appropriately. It was observed that; the optimum working distance and feed rate parameters should be selected as 3 mm and 1250 mm/min respectively, if minimum grit defect is required. Additionally, 4 mm of working distance and 1000 mm/min of feed rate cutting parameters would generate minimum burr defect.