A novel closed-loop controlled abrasive feeding system for micro abrasive waterjet applications

Since now, an abrasive feeding system closed-loop controlled and that guarantees the abrasive flow rate steadiness has never been optimized for AWJ technology. The potential solution of these problems gives the possibility to improve the cutting quality in AWJ, where the low abrasive flow rate values make crucial the fine control of the abrasive to reach the required tolerances. Therefore, it has been designed an abrasive feeding system where the supplying were devolved upon a vibrating lamina and the instantaneous abrasive flow ratemeasure were committed to a capacitor. It is possible to exploit its capacity value displacement to measure the abrasive flow. In this Master Thesis the abrasive feeding system has been described and characterized. In particular it has been implemented the calibration curves relating to the abrasive flow rate of all the devices that compose the system. Finally the system has been tested on-board the machine to verify the actual achievement of the previously stated goals and its transitory will be improved to make the system more ready and more reliable.