Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
© Fraunhofer IPT

© Fraunhofer IPT

Water jet ablation

Fraunhofer IPT has developed the innovative technology of water jet ablation. Water jet ablation can – based on a tight control of the relevant process parameters – cut into the material down to a specified depth without severing the component entirely. Customized processing cycles that have been derived from milling technologies enable the creation of virtually unlimited geometrical varieties. They also allow manufacturers to subject high-performance materials to rough cutting processes at low rates of tool wear and low costs.

In order to explore and exploit the technological potential of the water jet ablation technology for the 3D-processing of high-performance materials in turbo machine engineering, we are cost-efficiently integrating water jet machining as flexible tools into existing process chains or developing new fields of application.

Industrial applications of water jet ablation

Pre-machining of turbine engine blades
 

Water jet ablation is capable of pre-machining the spaces between individual BLISK (Blade Integrated Disks) blades at levels of dimensional accuracy that resemble those of conventional rough milling processes.

Structuring and activation of component surfaces
 

Water jet machining can improve the quality of component surfaces, increasing the adhesive strength of subsequently applied coatings or joints.

Decoating of turbine blades
 

Water jet ablation is a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly method of removing coatings from turbine blades, dispensing with any need to subject the components to expensive preparatory or chemical treatment.

Drilling holes for turbo machine and mechanical engineering
 

Water jet machining can be used to drill holes of various size and depth into nearly all materials.