The Effect of Traverse Speed on Kerf Width in AWJ Cutting of Ceramic Tiles

This article describes experiments performed to assess the effectiveness of abrasive waterjet (AWJ) traverse used to cut ceramic tiles. As the process does not involve high forces, it is important to select the correct traverse speed to obtain the required kerf width while keeping the efficiency of the cutting process high. The study focused on determining the influence of the traverse speed on the kerf width in ceramic tiles. The kerf width is one of the crucial parameters in AWJ cutting. Cutting with a high traverse speed can create tapered edges on the kerf. The experiments involved measuring the kerf width to determine the most suitable process parameters in the AWJ cutting of ceramic tiles. The top and bottom kerf widths were measured using optical microscopy images.