Have you ever wanted to cut thick metal slabs like a hot knife through butter? When you need precision cuts in metal for your latest project or sculpture, forget the torch or the sawblade. There’s a water and garnet-sand powered supercutter that slices through steel, titanium, glass, and more without heat damage. In this article, we’ll dive into waterjet technology and how it’s revolutionizing work with metal and other tough materials. We’ll look at how waterjets function, what materials they cut, and where you can access waterjet services if you don’t have half a million bucks laying around for your own machine.

An Introduction to Waterjet Cutting

Waterjet cutting is a precise method for cutting metal and other materials using highly pressurized jets of water. How does it work? Waterjet cutting systems pump water at pressures of up to 90,000 PSI through an orifice—a very small opening—to form an extremely high-pressure stream. This stream is then mixed with an abrasive additive like garnet sand and directed through a cutting head onto the workpiece.

The waterjet cuts through the material by erosion. As the abrasive-laden waterjet hits the surface, it quickly chips away small fragments until it cuts all the way through. Waterjet cutting can produce cuts with a high degree of accuracy and control, allowing for complex shapes and contours. It also creates a smooth cut edge without the distortions often seen with other cutting methods.

Versatile and Precise

Waterjet cutting can be used on nearly any material, including steel, aluminum, glass, plastic, ceramics, and composites. It provides a high level of precision, with the ability to repeatedly cut to tolerances of 0.005 inches. Parts can also be tightly nested to maximize material usage. The waterjet follows computerized cutting paths, so it can produce intricate shapes, inside cuts, and contours.

Minimal Heat and Distortion

Unlike laser or plasma cutting, waterjet cutting introduces no heat into the material. This means parts suffer no thermal distortion, hardening, or warping. The waterjet also leaves behind a smooth, sandblasted edge finish without the need for secondary processing. This can be important for materials that are sensitive to heat like aluminum alloys.

Waterjet cutting has revolutionized metal fabrication and manufacturing. Its versatility, precision, and minimal heat make it useful for an enormous range of applications across many industries. Whether you need stainless steel parts for medical equipment or aluminum brackets for aircraft, waterjet cutting is an ideal solution. Its cold cutting process and digital control open up new possibilities for complex components with tight tolerances.

How Waterjet Cutting Works

Waterjet cutting uses a high-pressure jet of water to cut through materials like metal, stone, and glass. A pump propels the water through a tiny orifice in a cutting head, speeding it up to over 60,000 pounds per square inch. This produces a narrow, high-velocity stream that can slice through nearly any material with precision and power.

The Cutting Head

The cutting head controls and focuses the water stream. An orifice, typically made of sapphire or diamond, shapes the stream into a thin jet. Around the orifice, a mixing tube adds an abrasive grit like garnet to the water stream. The abrasive particles help accelerate the cutting action, allowing the waterjet to cut through materials that water alone cannot.

Computerized Cutting

Waterjet cutting systems are computer-controlled, using CAD designs to guide the cutting head. The computer translates the digital pattern into physical cuts with an accuracy of 0.005 inches. This allows for intricate cuts, curves, and details that would be difficult or impossible with other cutting methods. The computer also controls variables like cutting speed, water pressure, and grit flow to get the best results for each material.

Versatility

The high pressure and abrasive particles give waterjets an unparalleled ability to cut through nearly any material. They can slice steel, aluminum, stone, glass, plastic, wood, and composites with no heat-affected zone or structural damage. This versatility makes waterjet cutting ideal for applications where precision and material compatibility are paramount. They produce clean cuts without warping, hardening or discoloring the material.

Waterjet cutting is a highly advanced, versatile cutting technique for shaping metal and other materials with unparalleled precision. Using a powerful jet of water and abrasive grit, waterjets can cut intricate patterns in virtually any material. Computerized controls and CAD software provide extreme accuracy and automation, allowing waterjets to achieve cuts that would be difficult or impossible with other methods. For precision cutting needs, waterjet systems are a cutting-edge solution.

The Many Benefits of Waterjet Cutting

Waterjet cutting offers many advantages over traditional cutting methods like laser or plasma cutting. The high-pressure water stream produces precise cuts without heat or distortion. Parts cut on a waterjet have clean, smooth edges that often require little or no secondary finishing.

Precise Cuts

The narrow stream of water, often less than 0.5 inches in diameter, allows for extremely precise cutting. Intricate parts with fine details can be cut accurately. Waterjet cutting machines are also very versatile and can cut practically any material, including metal, glass, stone, plastics, and composites.

Minimal Distortion

Since no heat is generated during cutting, parts experience no hardening, warping, or other heat-related distortions. This is important for materials that are heat-sensitive. The waterjet also does not change the microstructure of the material, so its original properties are preserved.

Reduced Waste

The narrow cutting stream and precise control produces little waste material. Parts can be tightly nested to maximize material usage. Any scrap material also remains intact and can potentially be reused.

Safe and Environmentally Friendly

Waterjet cutting does not produce toxic fumes or airborne particles that can endanger workers or pollute the environment. The waterjet merely uses highly pressurized water and an abrasive garnet powder. It is a very safe and eco-friendly cutting process.

Versatility

A single waterjet cutting system can cut a wide range of materials, from common ones like mild steel, aluminum, and stainless steel to more exotic metals as well as non-metals. Switching from one material to another only requires changing the orifice size and adjusting cutting parameters. This versatility means higher utilization of the cutting machine.

In summary, waterjet cutting should be considered whenever precision, material versatility, minimal waste and distortion, and an environmentally friendly cutting process are priorities. Although the equipment has a higher upfront cost, the benefits to product quality and workplace safety can make waterjet cutting very attractive.

What Materials Can Be Cut With a Waterjet?

A waterjet cutter uses a high-pressure stream of water and abrasives to precisely cut through virtually any material. Metals Waterjet cutting is ideal for cutting metals like aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, and copper. It can cut through metal up to 8 inches thick with tight tolerances. Since it’s a cold cutting process, it does not alter the properties of the metal or cause it to weaken like other cutting methods.

Stone and Concrete

Natural stones like granite, marble, slate and sandstone as well as concrete can be cut with a waterjet. The high-pressure water is able to slice through these hard materials to create customized shapes and patterns. Waterjet cutting stone results in a smooth, polished edge that requires little to no finishing.

Glass

Both flat glass and curved glass pieces can be cut using a waterjet cutter. It can cut clear glass, tinted glass, tempered glass, and laminated glass up to 6 inches thick. The waterjet produces clean cuts with no chips or cracks and tight corners.

Plastics

Many types of plastics can be cut with a waterjet including acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Since plastics can melt under high heat, waterjet cutting is ideal as it uses only water and abrasives. It can cut plastics up to 4 inches thick with intricate details and shapes.

Composites

Fiberglass, carbon fiber, Kevlar, and other composite materials are easily cut using a waterjet. Its cold cutting process does not damage the reinforcing fibers within the composite. It can cut composite materials up to 2 inches thick to create complex components for various industries like aerospace, automotive, and marine.

With its versatility and precision, waterjet cutting opens up many possibilities for custom fabrication. It’s an efficient and economical process for cutting materials that would otherwise require extensive machining or hand work to shape. Whatever material you need cut, there’s a good chance a waterjet can handle the job with speed, accuracy, and quality.

Waterjet Cutting Applications and Uses

Waterjet cutting has many useful applications for precision cutting a variety of materials. It is used extensively in various industries ranging from stone cutting to aerospace manufacturing.

Cutting Metals

One of the most common uses of waterjet cutting is cutting metal sheets and plates, including aluminum, steel, titanium and copper. The high-pressure waterjet can cut through metal up to 8 inches thick with tight precision and no heat-affected zone. This allows metals to retain their material properties without compromising strength or workability. The waterjet cutting process also produces a smooth edge finish and can create complex shapes and contours.

Stone and Tile

Waterjet cutting technology is ideal for cutting natural stone, marble, granite, slate, and ceramic tile. The stone cutting industry relies heavily on waterjet systems to cut stone slabs and tile into custom shapes and sizes with minimal waste. Waterjets can cut stone up to 6 inches thick with unparalleled accuracy, and the process does not produce any micro-cracking. The smooth, polished edge that results requires no additional finishing.

Composites and Plastics

Waterjet cutting is a popular method for cutting high-tech composite materials like carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar, as well as plastics such as Plexiglas, polypropylene, polyethylene, and PETG. The waterjet cleanly cuts through these materials without creating heat or micro-fractures. It produces minimal delamination and fraying along the cut edge. Waterjet cutting of composites and plastics allows them to maintain their strength and properties.

Other materials that can be cut with a waterjet include:

• Foam and insulation
• Rubber and elastomers
• Paper, cardboard and wood
• Glass and quartz
• Food (fruit, vegetables, meat)

The versatility and precision of waterjet cutting make it an invaluable tool for efficient and high-quality fabrication across many industries. Its cold-cutting action helps materials retain their integral properties, allowing for superior end results.

What to Look for in a Waterjet Cutting Company

When choosing a waterjet cutting company, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. The most important is their level of precision and accuracy. Waterjet cutting uses a high-pressure stream of water to precisely cut through metal, glass, stone, and other hard materials. The cuts need to be exact to ensure parts fit together properly. Ask about their cutting tolerance and accuracy to determine if they can meet your precision needs.

You’ll also want to consider the range of materials they can cut. Some shops only cut a limited selection, while others offer cutting services for stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, titanium, wood, plastics, stone, and beyond. Make sure they have experience cutting your specific materials to get the best results. A broader range of capabilities means they’ll be able to handle any of your future needs as well.

The next thing to evaluate is the quality and power of their waterjet cutting equipment. More advanced machines with stronger pumps and tighter controls will achieve higher accuracy and faster cutting speeds. They should have equipment specifically designed for industrial waterjet cutting, not just basic machines. Ask if they have technicians on staff to properly maintain and service the equipment.

Don’t forget about experience and credentials. An established company with years of experience will have a proven track record of success. They should also have proper certifications and safety credentials to ensure they follow best practices. Check online reviews from their other customers to determine their reputation and quality of service.

Lastly, consider things like their location, available hours of operation, turnaround times, and overall customer service. A conveniently located shop with flexible hours and fast turnaround will make the cutting process smooth and efficient. And of course, friendly, knowledgeable staff that provides great communication and customer service is always a plus.

A combination of state-of-the-art equipment, precision cutting abilities, experienced staff, and great service is the recipe for an excellent waterjet cutting company. Do some research to find a shop that meets all your needs and will get your cutting jobs done right.

Waterjet Cutting in Portland, Oregon

Waterjet cutting is an innovative manufacturing process that uses highly pressurized water to precisely cut through metal and other materials. In Portland, Oregon, waterjet cutting services have become popular for industrial and artistic applications.

Waterjet cutting utilizes a high-pressure stream of water, typically between 30,000 to 90,000 PSI, to slice through metal, stone, glass, and various composite materials with extreme accuracy. The water stream is mixed with an abrasive, like garnet or aluminum oxide, to aid in cutting harder materials. This non-thermal cutting process produces no heat-affected zone, eliminating the risk of warping or structural changes to the material.

In Portland, waterjet cutting is used by manufacturers, metal fabricators, stone and tile suppliers, glass companies, and artists. The precise cutting ability is perfect for customized or intricate parts, allowing for curves, bevels, tapered edges, and virtually any two-dimensional shape. Waterjet cutting is also environmentally friendly since no toxic gases or chemicals are used.

Some of the common applications of waterjet cutting in Portland include:

• Cutting metal plates, tubes, pipes and beams for industrial uses. The waterjet can cut through aluminum, steel, brass, copper and more.
• Cutting stone, tile, and glass for architectural and decorative purposes. Waterjet allows for unique shapes and inlays.
• Cutting composites like plastics, rubbers, wood, and fiberglass. The waterjet produces clean cuts without fraying or splintering.
• Creating metal art and sculptures. Waterjet gives artists flexibility to cut any shape they can imagine.
• Cutting gaskets, seals, and insulation. The waterjet produces precise cuts for custom sealing applications.

Waterjet cutting services in Portland, Oregon have revolutionized the way many companies and artists design and fabricate custom parts and products. With the ability to cut nearly any material to almost any shape, waterjet technology opens up a world of possibilities for manufacturing and creating.

How to Get Started With Waterjet Cutting

Once you’ve decided that waterjet cutting is the right precision cutting method for your needs, it’s time to find a shop to handle your project. Locally, there are a few options for waterjet cutting services in Portland. Do some research on shops near you to compare experience, capabilities, quality of work, and prices. Check out their websites to see examples of their work and the materials and thicknesses they can cut.

When you find some good candidates, contact them to discuss your project in more detail. Be prepared to provide electronic drawings or CAD files showing exactly what you need cut. The more details you can provide upfront about dimensions, tolerances, and material specs, the more accurate a quote and timeline they can give you. Some things to consider are:

•Material type – The material you want to cut, such as aluminum, stainless steel, granite or marble, will determine the appropriate water pressure and abrasives needed. More durable materials require higher pressure.

•Material thickness – The thicker the material, the more powerful machine is needed. Standard machines can typically cut up to 6 inches thick, but larger machines are available for thicker materials.

•Accuracy and precision – The level of detail and tolerance required for your parts will impact cost and time. Tighter tolerances and more intricate cuts demand slower cutting speeds and increased precision.

•Quantity – For higher volume production runs, automated cutting and material handling systems are more efficient. For one-off prototypes or low volumes, manual setup and operation will suffice.

Once you approve a quote and schedule, prepare and ship your materials to the waterjet cutting shop. From there, the process is quick, typically just 1 to 2 days for most jobs. Then you’ll receive your precisely cut parts, ready to be assembled or finished as needed! Using waterjet cutting for your next project will open up new design possibilities with its versatility, speed, and accuracy.

Waterjet Cutting FAQs

Have questions about waterjet cutting? We’ve got answers. Waterjet cutting utilizes high pressure water to precisely cut metals and other materials. Let’s explore some frequently asked questions about this innovative technology.

What materials can be cut with a waterjet?

Nearly any material can be cut with a waterjet, including:

• Metals like steel, aluminum, brass, and copper
• Stone, marble, granite, and tile
• Plastics like acrylic, polypropylene, UHMW, and nylon
• Foams, fabrics, leather, paper, and wood
• Composite materials such as carbon fiber

Waterjets can cut materials up to 8 inches thick with intricate detail and tight tolerances.

How precise is waterjet cutting?

Waterjet cutting is extremely precise, achieving accuracies within 0.005 inches. It can produce intricate cuts, circles, and complex shapes that would be difficult with other methods. Waterjets are computer-controlled, so digital designs can be cut with high precision.

What are the benefits of waterjet cutting?

Waterjet cutting offers many advantages over other cutting methods:

•It cuts without heat, so it does not alter the material properties or warp the material. This results in clean cuts without burrs or slag.

•It can cut nearly any material, including materials that cannot be cut with laser or plasma.

•It does not require any tooling changes to cut different materials. The high-pressure stream does all the work.

•It produces very little kerf, or material loss, resulting in less wasted material.

•It does not produce any hazardous fumes, gases or dust. The cutting fluid is just water.

•It allows for complex cuts that would be difficult or impossible with other methods. Intricate curves, holes, and shapes are easily achieved.

•It does not require post-processing like grinding or sanding. Parts are cut to final dimensions, minimizing labor.

•It does not distort or heat-treat the material, so mechanical properties are preserved.

•It is environmentally friendly since it only uses water. No toxic chemicals are required.

Does waterjet cutting sound like the solution you’ve been searching for? With so many benefits and capabilities, waterjet cutting is a highly versatile and precise cutting method for nearly any material or application.

So there you have it. With waterjet cutting, you can easily take on a wide range of intricate metal projects with high precision and quality results. By relying on this innovative technology, you can leave the heavy lifting to the machine and trust that your custom designs will be expertly brought to life. Whether you’re a hobbyist, artist, or professional fabricator, waterjets open exciting new possibilities for working with metal. Just imagine what you might create by harnessing the power, versatility and accuracy of this game-changing tool. The only limit is your own imagination.