Preliminary Experimental Investigations on Machining Borosilicate Glass with a Developed Abrasive Jet Machining Setup
摘要
This article investigates the effects of process variables on the performance of a prototype Abrasive Jet Machining (AJM) setup during the machining of Borosilicate glass using silicon carbide (SiC) abrasive particles. A custom AJM setup was successfully developed by testing and assembling various indigenous components, including an air compressor, mixing chamber, abrasive control unit, non-metallic hose pipes, and a machining chamber equipped with a vice. Comprehensive experiments were conducted on borosilicate glass workpieces to examine the effects of process parameters, such as gas pressure (Pg), nozzle tip distance (NTD), workpiece thickness, and abrasive grain size, on the Material Removal Rate (MRR). Initial observations indicated that the MRR increases with higher gas pressure and decreases with increased NTD, workpiece thickness, and abrasive grain size. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of the machined workpieces was performed to identify micro-cracks, craters, and surface ripples. The results of this study provide insight into improving the performance and accuracy of AJM in processing glass materials.