Impact phenomena in the case of some non-traditional machining processes

The material removal within different machining processes can be performed in distinct modalities. One of these modalities is based on the effects of certain impact phenomena. The objective of the paper was to find a modality to classify the non-traditional machining methods based on the impact phenomena and to emphasize some of their common and different characteristics. The research was performed by taking into consideration the information included in the specialty literature and the authors experience. The conclusion is that a systematic study could offer an integrating image concerning the main aspects specific to the non-traditional machining processes based on impact phenomena. The main ways for the material removal as consequence of the impact phenomena are the microcracking, microcutting, melting and vaporizing of small quantities from the workpiece surface layer.