Water Jet Cutting Machines are available for almost any material
Although it may seem unbelievable, a small jet of water can cut through solid granite 6 inches in length, cut glass with precision and control almost any shape in this and other materials. Water jet cutting technology has made it possible to solve many engineering, machining and architectural design problems using water jets.
Table of Contents
Nature
It is similar to water erosion in nature, but it is intensified and concentrated by many orders of magnitude. It is used in the fabrication and manufacture of parts for machinery, as well as other devices. It is used in many industries, including aerospace and mining.
The Benefits
Waterjets are a powerful and precise process that can be used to cut a wide range of materials and thicknesses. The many benefits of a waterjet are numerous and varied. It allows for a quick transition from drawing to the finished part. In most cases, secondary cutting is not necessary due to high accuracy and an excellent edge finish.
Waterjet cutting is cold. This means that there are no heat-affected zones, hardened materials, or material stresses. Secondary surface finishing is often unnecessary because of the precise burr-free finish. This process allows for small-diameter, highly precise kerfs that allow for the manufacture of clean products in ways that are not possible with other processes.
Waterjet cutting is ideal for short and long production runs. It also allows for quick and easy creation of prototypes for products that are still in development. If second-generation prototypes are required, they can be quickly turned around and cost less than if the product had to be resubmitted to the planning stage.
Simply, heat normal house water at 3 Bar (50psi to 3600 bar (52,000psi), and then force through a small hole at a speed faster than sound. A cutting jet will be created that can cut through almost anything.
If you’re looking for a waterjet cutter company, there are often two options: “Pure Water” or “Abrasive“.
The pressurized water is enriched with Abrasive-Garnet (very fine sand), which is used to create a Jet 1mm in Diameter. This jet is useful for metals, plastics and stones.
Pure Water – No garnet is added. This results in a very fine, pressurised jet water of just 0.1mm diameter. It is used for soft materials like rubber, foam, or carpets.
Equipment Capability – From small entry-level machines to large format multihead machines, there are many available on the market. Many of these machines were made in Britain or Europe and offer accuracy, reliability, and ease-of-use as standard features.
Materials that are typical
There are many materials that can easily be cut using a Water Jet cutting device.
Materials such as:
Aluminium, brass, copper, Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, Titanium and Tool steel
Soft materials like
Acrylic Foam, Nylon, Polypropylene, Rubber
Materials that are fragile such as
Carbon Fibre, Ceramic, Glass, Granite, Kevlar, Marble
Water only cutting
Water-only cutting is an excellent alternative to other batch production methods, such as oscillating knife production or the traditional method that involves expensive tooling.
This process can produce intricate items like flooring displays, signage, and decorative panels due to its diameter.
Water Only Cutting: Key Benefits
Cut without colouring the edge.
You can also cut larger designs in sections.
Service in-house designed from your computer files or artwork.
Profiled gaskets and insulation materials without the need for tooling.
With parallel sides, thick foam and rubber.
Easy conversion of prototypes into batch production quantities
Pre-printed materials can be cut to the smallest details.
To ensure precise cutting, flexible materials are supported on a sacrificial foundation.
Time to save money
The profile cutting capability of the abrasive water jet is unmatched. You can choose from High, Medium or Low quality cuts offered by many service providers to fit your needs.
The water jet’s versatility allows it to be used across a variety of industries.
Cold cutting
Water jet cutting does not require heat input. Aluminium, stainless steel, and mild steel can all be cut without warping, distortion, or warping of the parts. Heat affected zones from laser & plasma are also eliminated. Water jet does not harden cut edges. You can tap holes or machine edges immediately without damaging your tooling.
Clean, quality cutting
Water jet can produce a crisp cut that is often free from burrs, unlike plasma and laser which can leave sharp burrs.
Productivity and less wastage
Many times, production cutting software tightens your parts
On the parent material, you can make substantial material cost savings.
Water jet cutting is faster and cheaper than machining, CNC routing, and EDM. Your scrap material doesn’t end up on the factory floor, but it can be reused for other parts.
I am glad nothing gets affected by heat when using a waterjet. I had a slight worry that this would happen. Luckily, that is not the case and everything will be safe.