The design of a small and inexpensive abrasive waterjet cutter

Abstract

The design of a small and inexpensive abrasive waterjet cutter was carried out and documented from the specification of functional requirements through to final design and solid modeling. Starting from the identification of the functional requirements for the machine, several concepts were generated, compared and selected for further analysis. The selected concepts were then further analyzed and compared using error budgeting and cost considerations. One concept, featuring an X-Y system of motion was then selected and developed. The small working area of the machine, 13 inches by 26 inches, allowed for the X-Y concept to be developed into a design that used off-the-shelf linear guide rails as the structure of the machine. A bench-level prototype of this structure was built and tested to prove the concept and optimize the design. Once structural testing and stiffening/damping technique testing was completed, the entire machine was designed and solid modeled on Pro/ ENGINEER. The bare-rails structure resulted in a design that requires fewer precision-machined parts and fewer parts overall, resulting in a design that is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.