Versatility of Waterjet Technology

Waterjet technology involves complex flow phenomena, which include supersonic, turbulent, compressible, and three-phase interactions. This book, by the editor and colleagues, distills three decades of R&D expertise from Flow Industries, Inc. and OMAX Corp., based in Kent, Washington, USA. Organized into 10 sections and 32 chapters, it blends physical experiments and limited computational fluid dynamics analyses as R&D methodologies. Through flow visualization and probe measurement, the book characterizes waterjet geometry, water-droplet and abrasive speeds, surface roughness and edge qualities of machined parts, and more. It showcases advancements in micro abrasive-waterjet technology, recognized as a 2016 R&D 100 Awards finalist and honored with the 2016 Tibbitts Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

 ?The inaugural BHRA Waterjet Conference in 1972 marked the beginning of high-pressure waterjets? transformation from laboratory novelties to indispensable industrial tools, now comprising a multi-billion-dollar market annually. The pioneering research behind this evolution, initially documented in conference proceedings, technical journals, and books, is now at risk due to many of these publications being out of print as original authors retire. This collection of papers tracks the evolution of abrasive-waterjet studies, providing a vital repository of empirical data, methodologies, and innovative thinking that drove this technical revolution. It also offers insights into resolving manufacturing challenges, many of which are now solvable. Peter was uniquely positioned both to conduct research advancing waterjet technology and now to provide this permanent record.?

Curators? Professor Emeritus David A. Summers

Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA

?I have known Dr Peter Liu as a prolific author and distinguished scholar for about 45 years. In the first half of Dr Liu?s career, his research was focused on fluid mechanics and instrumentation, which enriched the other half of his career focusing on abrasive waterjet machining (AWJM). In this excellent compilation, Dr Liu brings together a wealth of knowledge covering a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from fundamentals to cutting-edge applications. This diversity and capabilities of the AWJ technology will benefit readers with a wealth of knowledge and provide a deep understanding of the intricate interplay between different AWJs and materials parameters. From shaping and milling to precision drilling, the versatility of AWJM is showcased through real-world examples and case studies, illustrating its efficacy in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and beyond. This book uniquely delves into micro abrasive waterjet machining (?AWJM), wherein Dr Liu?s research opens new vistas for high-precision, miniature-scale machining, with implications for microelectronics, medical devices, and micro-manufacturing.?

Dr Mohamed Hashish

Flow International Corporation, and University of Washington, USA