Water Jet machining is a
computerized cutting technology that cuts and machines virtually any
material. Water Jet is a clean process that does not result in heating or
residual stress in the cut materials
Water Jet allows for very fast
cutting while minimizing material waste as is common with other
machining technologies. Intricate cutting geometries are also possible
with tight radii and sharp corners easily maintained.
Metals
All metals can be machined via water jet
including aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, steels, nickel alloys,
titanium, soft metals, & metal composites.
Non-Metals
Non metallic materials are particularly suited
for cutting via water jet. Examples include carbon fiber composites,
ceramics, granite, glass, refractories, laminates, marble, plastics,
concrete, and natural stone.
Soft Materials
Rubber, plastics, elastomers, foams, synthetic
fiber materials, paper, and wood are readily cut with Water jet. Many of
these are cut with water only (no abrasive).
Major Benefits:
• NO heat generated structural changes – This is a cold cutting process
• Virtually burr-free cut edges - Reduces finishing operations
• NO material discoloration or oxidized edges
• NO toxic or fume discharge
Quality Numbers
Edge quality of cut is determined
by the quality numbering. In general, the best edge finish is achieved
though a slower cutting time. A quality 5 generally is the best edge
finish. Quality 3 is most common for the best cost with reasonable edge
finish. Quality 1 is typical for blanking materials.
The Water Jet machine processes computer
generated numerical code (NC) into appropriate X & Y cutting head
movements. The cutting head is essentially the nozzle from which the
water and abrasive are ejected through. The cutting action of the
Water Jet head occurs at pressures up to 50,000 psi, with stream
velocities greater than three times the speed of sound.
Hard materials
such as metals and ceramics are cut with an abrasive garnet that is
introduced into the stream for strong erosion cutting. Soft materials
such as plastics are often cut without abrasive.
The computer controlled process results in a controlled and narrow
kerf. This allows for efficient machining of
expensive materials such as composites and titanium while providing
detailed precision.
Tolerances for high-speed cutting are typically
held to +/- 0.005 to .010 inch.
Water Jet alone or
combined with other machining technologies such as CNC milling can
result in vast savings of process time and fabrication cost. When
applicable, Water Jet cutting has significant advantages over competing
cutting methods, such as routers, plasma torch, laser cutting and
electrical discharge machining. Water Jet can cut through materials such
as rock and ceramics that may normally be considered "unachievable" by
conventional cutting methods.