MONITORING OF THERMAL-ENERGY DISTRIBUTION IN ABRASIVE WATERJET CUTTING USING INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

Thermal energy distribution in the workpiece cut with abrasive waterje t (AWJ) is analyzed using the technique of infrared thermography throu gh isotherms and line-scans. Variation in workpiece temperature with t hermal conductivity and cutting conditions is studied. The feasibility of visualization of AWJ cutting mechanisms in opaque materials using infrared thermography is investigated. A Revel technique of AWJ nozzle wear monitoring through infrared thermography is proposed. A comparat ive study of infrared thermography results with the readings of thermo couples and the two-dimensional moving line heat source model show a c lose correspondence indicating that infrared thermography is a good te chnique for the above application.