ABOUT WATERJET CUTTING        Clean, Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

From Your Design to Reality What Can We Cut for You?

A Look at WaterJet Cutting and Cutting Techniques...

 

Waterjet cutting is best described as an accelerated erosion process that we control.  Waterjet can cut or erode through virtually any material known, making it one of the most versatile machines ever invented.  A new, but growing machining industry, waterjet cutting saves time and money on countless applications.  See if the advantages listed below could benefit you.

 

Tolerances

Tolerances tighter than +/- 0.005" are achievable, especially in thinner materials such as 1" stainless steel. However, high tolerances come with a price, sometimes up to 500% higher than if the same part had been specified with a tolerance of +/- 0.015". By being more flexible with tolerances, prices will plummet as cutting speeds increase. Waterjet cutting has the ability to vary tolerances in different locations on a part, ensuring the best pricing and quality.

 

Thickness and Kerf

Materials ranging from 10" stainless steel to 0.010" acrylics can be cut by waterjet, making it a very versatile tool. Stacking of very thin materials to increase productivity is possible. Kerf (cutting width) ranges from 0.020" to 0.050".

Taper and Edge Finish

Taper and edge finish are directly related to cut speed. The greater the speed, the more taper and the coarser the edge finish. As the waterjet slows down, taper can be eliminated and the finish of about 120 achieved. Again, slower means an increase in time...and price. For a finer edge finish, we use a finer abrasive.

 

Heat Affected Zone (HAZ)

Waterjet cutting is a natural erosion process involving no chemicals or heat. Because of this, warping and distortion typically associated with laser, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting is eliminated, therefore minimizing the need for secondary processing.

 

Nesting and Common Line Cutting

Unlike laser, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting, waterjet lends itself to common line cutting.  ERC offers optional state-of-the-art nesting software, allowing you to nest multiple shapes together and cut them with multiple heads. Tracking of remnants and nesting into these odd shapes later, helps save precious material and can contribute toward reducing your operating costs.

 

Waterjet for Any Industry

The versatility of the waterjet allows it to be used in nearly every industry.  Some materials have unique characteristics that require special attention when cutting. As you can see in the chart below, each material we cut will have some unique characteristics that have to be taken into account.

 

 

Cutting Techniques

The information below explains some of the cutting techniques we use when cutting these materials. We recognize that there are many materials not listed so if you have a specific question about your material feel free to contact us at (405) 831-2085.

 

Acrylics/Plastics

It is possible to not only cut these materials effortlessly, but also drill start holes using specialized low-pressure options available with certain systems.

 

Alloys

With Inconel, Hastalloy, Waspalloy, Titanium, Aluminum, Stainless etc., no heat effected zone or change in the molecular structure occurs in the alloy material. There is no distortion as seen with typical heat cutting methods. Generally, cutting with waterjet costs less than traditional machining or cutting methods. In many cases, no secondary removal of slag or damaged material is necessary, and minimal to no burring is seen.

Composites

Many composites can be difficult to work with as the tips of cutting tools can 'gum' up and quickly become inefficient.  Waterjet has no gumming at all and can leave clean surface requiring no additional work.

Fiberglass

When cutting materials that are typically associated with hazardous fine airborne materials, waterjet is an ideal solution. Particles and materials removed are transported by the water away from the surface into the tank, reducing this risk and hazard.

Gaskets

Using waterjet for cutting gaskets makes possible the nesting various sized and shaped gaskets on one sheet. There is no longer any need for stacks of dies.  Computer assisted design (CAD) software keeps track of remnants to allow for better inventory control and later use of off-cuts for smaller parts. Our specialized machining software tracks materials through the entire process.

Glass

Intricate cutting and shaping of glass and mirror is easy with waterjet. The waterjet can generally drill all its own start holes, making it a highly versatile tool. Glass from 1/32" to 10" thick can be cut, even when laminated in multiple layers.

Laminates

Waterjet, in most cases, does not see any difference between laminated materials - e.g. acrylic, aluminum, stainless and honeycomb section all laminated as one. Many aircraft parts consist of laminated materials where waterjet is the only solution.

Steels

Waterjet is not always the most cost effective method to cut steels. As a rule, if the finished product is presently being cut using laser, plasma or oxyfuel, and no secondary work is needed to the part after being cut, it is unlikely waterjet will be an economical solution. However, as soon as any secondary work, closer tolerances or removal of the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) is needed, waterjet is probably the solution. With the use of waterjet, we are able to reduce our operating cost substantially, reducing the expense gap between laser and waterjet cutting. In many cases, waterjet now costs less than laser!  

Rubber

Depending on the durometer value, rubber can be cut with water only or with abrasive. Tests will quickly reveal what the best option is for your application.

 

 

Courtesy WardJet, Inc.