Comparative analysis of the processing accuracy of high strength metal sheets by AWJ, laser and plasma

Experimental tests were carried out on two high-strength steel materials (Ramor 400 and Ramor 550). Quantification of the dimensional accuracy was achieved by measuring the deviations from some geometric parameters of part (two lengths and two radii). It was found that in case of Ramor 400 steel, at the jet inlet, the deviations from the part radii are quite small for all the three analysed processes. Instead for the linear dimensions, the deviations are small only in case of laser cutting. At the jet outlet, the deviations raised in small amount compared to those obtained at the jet inlet for both materials as well as for all the three processes. Related to Ramor 550 steel, at the jet inlet the deviations from the part radii are very small in case of AWJ and laser cutting but larger in case of plasma cutting. At the jet outlet, the deviations from the part radii are very small for all processes; in case of linear dimensions, there was obtained very small deviations only in the case of laser processing, the other two processes leading to very large deviations.