Simulation and experimentation of removal characteristics for abrasive water jet machining with multi-nozzle

To solve the low removal efficiency of single-nozzle abrasive water jet machining, a multi-nozzle abrasive water jet machining method was reported. The abrasive distribution in the flow field was characterized, and the abrasive water jet machining material removal mechanism was modeled. The simulation of the multi-nozzle abrasive water jet machining was achieved using Fluent software, and the removal mechanism was analyzed. The parametric effects of nozzle design (number/type), jet interval, pressure, and working distance on jet dynamics (velocity and pressure) and erosion performance were systematically analyzed. Alumina abrasives were used to polish the Inconel 718 alloy in vertical and inclined multi-nozzle abrasive water jet machining. Results indicate that multi-nozzle abrasive water jet machining provides high removal efficiency, with vertical processing yielding better surface quality than inclined approaches. A five-nozzle vertical array produced a characteristic “multi-W” removal profile on Inconel 718. The surface roughness Ra 35.7 nm was obtained.