WATER JETTING
Clean, heat free, uncontaminated, precise cut
There are many ways of cutting plastics and other materials, all have their advantages and dis-advantages, and all have their place.
What is water jetting?
A water jet cutter, also known as a water jet or waterjet, is an industrial tool capable of cutting a wide variety of materials using a very high-pressure jet of water, or a mixture of water and an abrasive substance. The term abrasive jet refers specifically to the use of a mixture of water and abrasive to cut hard materials such as metal or granite, while the terms pure waterjet and water-only cutting refer to waterjet cutting without the use of added abrasives, often used for softer materials such as wood or rubber.
Waterjet cutting is often used during fabrication of machine parts. It is the preferred method when the materials being cut are sensitive to the high temperatures generated by other methods. Waterjet cutting is used in various industries, including mining and aerospace, for cutting, shaping, and reaming.
Advantages of water jetting
An important benefit of the water jet is the ability to cut material without interfering with its inherent structure, as there is no heat-affected zone (HAZ). Minimizing the effects of heat allows materials to be cut without harming or changing intrinsic properties. Sharp corners, bevels, pierce holes, and shapes with minimal inner radii are all possible.
Water jet cutters are also capable of producing intricate cuts in material. With specialized software and 3-D machining heads, complex shapes can be produced.
The kerf, or width, of the cut can be adjusted by swapping parts in the nozzle, as well as changing the type and size of abrasive. Typical abrasive cuts have a kerf in the range of 1.0–1.3 mm, but can be as narrow as 0.51 mm. Non-abrasive cuts are normally 0.18–0.33 mm, but can be as small as 0.076 mm, which is approximately that of a human hair. These small jets can permit small details in a wide range of applications.
Woodford CNC Machining
North Street
Whitworth, OL12 8RE
E-mail address: sales@w-cncmachining.co.uk
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