
77Mechanics of Orthogonal Cutting
California scientists. Snow machining eliminates the use of oil-based or
synthetic chemical uids for metal cutting. It creates a high-velocity stream
of small, micron-sized dry ice particles through the process of adiabatic
expansion of liquid carbon dioxide as it passes through a 0.3 mm diameter
nozzle. The resulting particulate CO
2
acts as a mechanical force to remove
the cut material while at the same time cooling and lubricating the surface
of the machined part. The new machining process produces virtually zero
hazardous waste, because carbon dioxide is environmentally benign. Other
advantages over traditional ...