Whatever the precise cutting requirements, no matter how high-tech or complex, a company still needs to make precision cuts that are within microscopic tolerances.
Industries like aerospace, automotive, medical, and other industries rely on precise custom cutting to produce high-quality results while adhering to regulatory requirements. Waterjet cutting offers manufacturers unprecedented flexibility. It can efficiently cut almost any material with unmatched accuracy. Waterjet cutting offers many advantages, including flexibility.
From 2020 to 2027 the global waterjet cutting machine market is expected to increase at a compound annual rate (CAGR)of 5.1%. This is a good thing. The versatility of cutting materials and the need for a more environmentally-friendly custom cutting process in industries such as automotive and mining are key factors attributing to the increased popularity and projected market size of waterjet cutting machines.
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It is important for businesses to be familiar with the advantages of a waterjet cutter in order to identify the right contract manufacturer who will meet or exceed their custom cutting requirements.
Waterjet cutting for custom-cutting projects: Advantages
Companies should consider the advantages of a waterjet cutter, and how it can help them scale up and reach their precision cutting goals. It is important to find out about the capabilities and resources of any potential precision cutting service provider, as well as whether they offer waterjet cutting. Companies should be aware of the documentation and information required to start a precision cutting service.
This article explains in detail the many benefits of waterjet cutting technology.
A wide range of materials
One of the best features of waterjet cutting technology is its ability to cut a variety of materials. Waterjet cutting can be used to cut various materials according to their strength, durability, corrosion resistance, or conductivity.
Metals – Waterjet cutters can cut all types of metals, including aluminum, titanium and carbon steel as well as red metals (copper and brass)
Naturals – Waterjet cutting machines employ specialized techniques like low-pressure pierce and water-only cutting to cut a wide range of natural materials, including glass, stone and wood, leather and ceramics.
Composites – Waterjet cutters can precisely cut any fiber-reinforced materials, including carbon fiber, fiberglass and Kevlar reinforced personnel armour. Waterjet cutters can quickly and easily cut composites, without any of the limitations that traditional machining has such as tooling changes or restrictions due to heat buildup.
Plastics & Rubber – Waterjet cutting is a fast and accurate method of cutting plastic and rubber materials like foam, rubber, linoleum and Plexiglas. Waterjet cutting allows businesses to bypass the material distortion barriers that are often encountered when machining plastic using conventional Computer Numerical Control (CNC). Instead, they can use the cold cutting method of the waterjet cutter.
Capabilities for Thickness and Shape Cutting
A waterjet cutter can cut almost any material. Waterjet cutters produce a thin cutting stream that can be used to cut virtually any shape or thickness. This reduces manufacturing costs as well as the space required.
Industries that require complex cutting processes will need to be able to cut different thickness materials and composites. Waterjet cutting is more precise than other methods and can lose their performance when cutting thicker materials.
Cost-Effectiveness
Waterjet cutting is less expensive than traditional methods of cutting because it requires less fixturing and tooling. Waterjet cutting can also make products faster and with fewer excess materials, making it a more cost-effective method of producing products.
Waterjet cutting eliminates the need to clean the edges. This makes parts immediately ready for use, reducing labor costs, and increasing productivity. This greatly speeds up custom cutting and reduces time. It also contributes to an overall increase of efficiency.
Waterjet cutting methods available
Businesses can choose from a wide range of waterjet machine cutting options depending on their precise cutting requirements.
Pure Water Cutting – Pure water cutting can be used to cut soft materials like paper or plastics. Because the main byproduct of this process is pure, recyclable water, it is extremely environmentally friendly.
Abrasive water cutting – This is the process of adding a hard, powdery substance to the water jet (e.g. garnet or corundum) in order to act as an agent abrasive. This is a more appropriate process for metals, marble, and composites.
Cold-water Cutting – This method allows for precise cutting without affecting a heat-affected area (HAZ). Waterjets’ no heat technology ensures that the product is free from any part distortion, thermal damage or stress damage. Cold water is also useful for clean cuts, and reduces the risk of burn injury.
Low-Pressure Pierce: This waterjet cutting technique prevents material cracking by using low pressure. This is a better choice for fragile materials such as ceramics, stone, or glass. Wiggle or Dwell piercing – Water jet streams travel a short distance repeatedly to cut the material. This method is ideal for drilling holes in thick materials.
Superior Edge Quality
Waterjet cutting produces a smooth edge that is free of burn marks, cracking or excess burrs. Waterjet cutting is cold and does not cause any heat-affected zones that could alter the molecular structure or decrease the material’s tensile strength. Waterjet cutting can be used in many cases to eliminate the need for secondary finishing, which results in significant time and cost savings. Businesses that prefer water-only processes, such as in the defense and automotive industries, need to be able to deliver superior edges.
Next-Generation Precision
Precision cutting requires that there be a very small margin of error. Standard waterjet cutters cut at nearly 60,000 PSI, significantly reducing the margin of error that is associated with precision cutters. Food, aerospace, military and automotive are some of the most popular industries that can benefit from waterjet cutters’ increased precision cutting capabilities.
Low environmental impact
Waterjet technology uses only natural resources like water and sand to reduce harmful environmental effects of cutting. It doesn’t cause any air pollution or expose you to harmful toxins. Waterjet precision cutting is safe for both the operator and the end-user.
Using Waterjet Cutting For Your Precision Cutting Needs
Waterjet cutting can be used in many industries to create intricate designs and precise cutting jobs that need high tolerances. Companies no longer have to worry about meeting strict standards in industries that demand precise tolerances. Waterjet cutting allows for precise cutting of almost any material, with a very small margin of error.