Modelling and characterization of surface generation in Fluid Jet Polishing

Fluid Jet Polishing (FJP) has the advantages of localized force and cooling of the debris, and of a stable and controllable material removal function with very little tool wear. Due to the complex machining mechanism, it is still difficult to model the material removal characteristics and simulate the surface generation for FJP. In the present study, an attempt has been made to better understand the material removal and surface generation mechanisms in the FJP process. Hence, a theoretical model is built for predicting and characterizing the material removal characteristics and surface generation in FJP based on computational fluid dynamic modelling. A series of spot and pattern polishing tests, as well as simulation experiments by the theoretical model, were conducted. The results show that the theoretical model satisfactorily predicts the surface generation under different polishing conditions and enables a better understanding of the polishing process in FJP.