Is it possible to machine elastomer using abrasive water jet machining?
Yes, its is possible on Elastomers. ( example : Gaskets & Seals, foam pads, rubber sheet etc..)
Hello Preeti Maurya
I myself did not water jet cut elastomers but designed seals for marine sliding doors with corner pieces machined out of blocks of closed cell synthetic rubber.
https://www.rexio.de/de/do_detail.php?DOID=441&ListID=185&JoinTo=
To cut elastomer there is no need for abrasive water jet cutting, just plain water is sufficient.
Obviously, with just a straight jet of water you are very limited with respect to the sort of shape. Most commonly the nozzle is attached to a cartesian gantry robot, therefor only 2D- shapes can be cut. With a 6-axis robot you can angle the cut a bit but still real 3D machining is not possible.
Thickness of 200mm or more is possible, obviously depending on the sort of material you intend to cut.
Made of closed cell synthetic rubber, I got parts with very straight, perfectly clean cuts without any burrs or deformation, perfect for bonding to metal or rubber surfaces.
If you require real 3D- machining you need to go for milling with the sharpest possible cutters at very small wedge angle and high rmp. Such milling tools are normally used for the machining of wood.
Problem is, that the cutting forces do have the tendency to rip and tear at the workpiece resulting in deformation and poor surface quality and tolerance keeping. The stiffness of foam-rubber is extremely low. The stiffer the elastomer the better. Rubber shaft-seals can be machined to impressive tight tolerances.
I read about kryo-frosting elastomer to below its glass transition temperature while machining, but never tried it. The coefficient of thermal expansion is very high on rubber and the like and can ruin the machining tolerances if temperature is not maintained throughout the complete machining process.
Kind regards, Bernward
Hello Maurya,
So far I have cut elastomers with both watherjet and laser. It can do both. In my opinion, the laser is better, because it does not make a cone on the sides of the cutting part.
Vorkapic Nikola Thanks for your response sir. But there is a possibility of HAZ in Laser machining. Laser machine mainly cuts thinner elastomer material.
With a higher pressure equipment the cone does not appear. The laser produces toxic fumes.
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