Thesis
Electric pulse induced cutting (EPIC): Theoretical development and prototype construction
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2015
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101133
Abstract
Noncontact and free-form cutting processes such as laser cutting and electric discharging machine (EDM) play an important role in metal formation. The major advantages include no tool wear, ability to process hard-to-cut metals and time efficiency. Electric pulse induced material damages are commonly observed in high power system such as rail-gun launcher. When a brief high current pulse is passing around a preexisting surface defect, the Lorentz force along with intense Joule heating generated by the current pulse could lead to defect extension. In this study, an attempt has been made to exploit this damage phenomenon and use it to develop a new methodology to cut metals without using a cutting-tool. The first part of this work focuses on understanding the mechanisms, kinetics and mechanics of electric pulse induced crack extension. Based on this, a cutting mechanism map (CMM) for EPIC was constructed. In addition, a methodology to control the direction of cutting by superimposing a mechanical force on the electromagnetically induced Lorentz force, was developed. In the second part of the work, a numerically controlled prototype was developed to enable freeform cutting of metallic foils via EPIC along a pre-programmed non-linear path. The successful demonstration suggests that EPIC holds promise as a new non-contact, free-form metal-cutting process.
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Details
- Title
- Electric pulse induced cutting (EPIC)
- Creators
- Peiyu Tan
- Contributors
- Indranath Dutta (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525287601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis