US 5,704,824 AGranted

Method and apparatus for abrasive water jet millins

OwnerMohamad Hashish, David O. Monserud +6inventors

InventorsMohamad Hashish, David O. Monserud, Steven J. Craigen, Mark H. Marvin, Paul H. Tacheron, David H. Bothell, Ronald C. Lilley, Peter J. Miles

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Abstract

The invention describes a method and apparatus for milling objects by means of high velocity abrasive waterjet. The apparatus includes means for holding and producing relative motion in three dimensions of both the workpiece and the jet. Control means are provided to allow uniform and variable depth milling of complex shapes and automatic variations in relative speed, standoff distance, angle and pressure. The method includes the use of a resistant mask for facilitating milling and production of masks by the same tool used for milling.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A milling machine for removing material from a workpiece in predetermined areas for producing a finished part comprising:

a framework for holding all pans of the machine;
and, an abrasive waterjet cutting nozzle capable of being inclined at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees to the surface of said workpiece sought to be milled being milled for milling inclined pockets attached to said framework for generating a jet of rapidly moving liquid with entrained abrasive particles;
and, a source of high pressure liquid attached to said abrasive waterjet curing nozzle;
and a source of abrasive connected to said nozzle;
and;
workpiece mounting means for mounting a workpiece to said framework including means for moving said work piece relative to said nozzle;
and traverse means attached to said framework and said nozzle for moving said nozzle relative to the surface of said workpiece wherein said milling machine is includes means for decreasing the rate of material removal when said nozzle is adjacent to an area of smaller radius.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/617,493Filed 15 Mar 1996 · continuation in part
Priority: 12 Oct 1993
Granted: 6 Jan 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B24C 1/04
Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods: for treating…
B24C 3/04
Characterised by the arrangement of the component assemblies with respect to each other: stationary
B24C 3/12
For treating external surfaces: apparatus using nozzles
B24C 3/22
The work being supported by turntables: apparatus using nozzles