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Water-Jet Guided Laser Cutting Technology- an Overview

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Abstract

Water-jet guided laser cutting technology is a relatively new technology, which utilizes a water jet and laser beam (pulsed Nd: YAG laser) to cut. The technology is able to cut with high precision without blurs. It also produces less heat and pollution at the cutting zone, unlike conventional machining. This article reviews the characteristics of this new technology and its usage in laser material processing. Apart from cutting speed and laser power which are common parameters that affect most lasers technologies, water-jet pressure and properties of the water used were cited to have effect on the cut quality. Mathematical model and simulation results from literature observed that, decreasing the cooling effect of water-jet improves cutting process. Similarly, nozzle geometry also affect on the cut quality since it relates to the water-jets pressure and velocity. The current review does not however consider the effect of pressure of the water which affect the refractive index and in effect the wave-guide phenomenon. Nonetheless, a comparison between the water-jet and conventional laser technologies is discussed herein and the article concluded by highlighting some of the most exciting recent developments, the technical difficulties and the future development trends of the technology.

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Abbreviations

ε :

Emissivity

σ :

Stefan-Boltzmann constant (5.67 × 10−8 W/m2 K4)

Nu :

Nusselt number

l :

Character length (m)

λ :

Liquid conduction coefficient (W/m2 K)

Pr :

Prandtl number

c pw :

Water specific heat (J/Kg K)

μ w :

Kinetic viscosity of the water (m/s)

k w :

Conduction coefficient of the water (W/m K)

R e :

Reynolds number

ρ w :

Density of the water (kg/m3)

V w :

Flow velocity (m/s)

φ :

Pressure loss coefficient (Pa)

p w :

Water pressure (Pa)

[K]:

Temperature stiffness matrix

[C]:

Non-steady state temperature change matrix

{T}:

Temperature vector

\( \left\{\dot{\mathrm{T}}\right\} \) :

Derivative vector of the temperature

{Q}:

Heat load vector

θ :

Transient integration coefficient ( ° )

\( \left\{{\dot{T}}_n\right\} \) :

Temperature derivative matrix of the e nodes at tn.

μ :

Velocity of the continuous phase (m/s)

i, κ :

Coordinate direction

ρ :

Density of continuous phase (kg/m3)

p :

Pressure of continuous phase (Pa)

μ :

Molecular dynamic viscosity coefficient (N s/m2)

μ t :

Turbulence kinetic viscosity coefficient (N s/m2)

K :

Turbulent pulsating kinetic energy of the unit mass of fluid (J/kg)

ε :

Turbulent pulsating kinetic energy dissipation rate unit mass of fluid (J/kg)

κ σ :

Turbulent Prandtl number of κ

ε σ :

Turbulent Prandtl number ε

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wa Polytechnic, Wa, Ghana

    Vitus M. Tabie, Majeed O. Koranteng, Adams Yunus & Frederick Kuuyine

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Tabie, V.M., Koranteng, M.O., Yunus, A. et al. Water-Jet Guided Laser Cutting Technology- an Overview. Lasers Manuf. Mater. Process. 6, 189–203 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40516-019-00089-9

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