Three-Dimensional Modelling of the Abrasive Waterjet Contour

Abrasive water jets have become a recent tool for applications in mechanical machining. With its great advantages of geometrical and material flexibility and its ability of cutting hard-to-machine materials the technology is spreading throughout the machinery industry. To achieve a high quality output, especially in three-dimensional machining, thorough understanding of the relevant processes and modelling of the geometrical outcome is essential. Suitable process models need to be implemented in appropriate waterjet specific Computer Aided Manufacturing systems (CAM). In this paper a new approach to geometric modelling is presented. The spatial effect of the abrasive jet within the workpiece is described. With this modelling feature, future systems can be equipped so that precision, as well as three-dimensional machining, can be utilised at maximum performance in a wide scope of applications