An integrated monitoring method to supervise waterjet machining

The paper reports on development, calibration and exploitation of an integrated energy-based monitoring method for waterjet machining. The main advantage of the method resides in its ability to simultaneously monitor the level of output (at nozzle), active (cutting through) and passive (not cutting) waterjet energy thus enabling its budgeting. Relying on multiple acoustic emission sensors, the monitoring solution was implemented on the harsh waterjet environment to detect process malfunctions (e.g. jet penetration, nozzle clogging) and by adjust cutting conditions (e.g. feed speed) to result in improved accuracy and quality of machined surfaces.