CNC water-jet machining and cutting center

Technical Report · Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5296285

Bartlett, D C

CNC water-jet machining was investigated to determine the potential applications and cost-effectiveness that would result by establishing this capability in the engineering shops of Allied-Signal Inc., Kansas City Division (KCD). Both conductive and nonconductive samples were machined at KCD on conventional machining equipment (a three-axis conversational programmed mill and a wire electrical discharge machine) and on two current-technology water-jet machines at outside vendors. These samples were then inspected, photographed, and evaluated. The current-technology water-jet machines were not as accurate as the conventional equipment. The resolution of the water-jet equipment was only {plus minus}0.005 inch, as compared to {plus minus}0.0002 inch for the conventional equipment. The principal use for CNC water-jet machining would be as follows: Contouring to near finished shape those items made from 300 and 400 series stainless steels, titanium, Inconel, aluminum, glass, or any material whose fabrication tolerance is less than the machine resolution of {plus minus}0.005 inch; and contouring to finished shape those items made from Kevlar, rubber, fiberglass, foam, aluminum, or any material whose fabrication specifications allow the use of a machine with {plus minus}0.005 inch tolerance. Additional applications are possible because there is minimal force generated on the material being cut and because the water-jet cuts without generating dust. 12 figs.

• Research Organization: Allied-Signal Aerospace Co., Kansas City, MO (United States). Kansas City Div.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00613
• OSTI ID: 5296285
• Report Number(s): KCP-613-4397; ON: DE92000661
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
42 ENGINEERING
CUTTING TOOLS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
JETS
ALUMINIUM
CUTTING
FIBERGLASS
GLASS
PROGRESS REPORT
RUBBERS
STAINLESS STEELS
TITANIUM
WATER
ALLOYS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELASTOMERS
ELEMENTS
HIGH ALLOY STEELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MACHINING
MATERIALS
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLYMERS
STEELS
TESTING
TOOLS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
360101* - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication
420200 - Engineering- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques