WATERJET CUTTING
WATERJET CUTTING
Precision waterjet cutting has been central to our operation since our inception at Precision Waterjet Cutting & Laser. We have continually invested in waterjet technology, ensuring we always have the best waterjet technology available. Our facility currently boasts nine individual waterjet cutting systems, enabling us to handle production demands ranging from single prototypes to large volume projects that span months.
Our waterjet cutting equipment provides our operation with unbridled versatility. We can cut materials up to 12 inches or as thin as 0.001 inches. Our waterjet cutters work within an envelope between 0.06 inches to 160 inches in width, and 0.06 to 320 inches in length. Waterjet cutting offers superior edge finishes ranging from 1-5 while maintaining tolerances within +/- 0.005 inches.
Featuring pressures from 5,000-92,000 psi, our efficient machines can cut at speeds up to 600 inches per minute on optimal materials and thicknesses. We use advanced automation on our waterjet cutters, allowing full Lights Out operation. Combined with advanced nesting software, we can fully optimize material consumption to reduce operating and project costs. We reduce scrap by maintaining kerf widths as small as 0.005 inches.
To cut hard materials, we can use abrasive waterjet cutters on pieces as big as 120 inches by 300 inches. Our abrasive cutters can handle materials up to 10 inches thick.
Precision Waterjet & Laser is one of only a few providers in the world that owns and operates a double-head machine. Additionally, our Dynamic Waterjet capabilities virtually eliminate taper using advanced 5-axis, computer-controlled cutting heads. We’re the only waterjet cutting provider in the state of California with Dynamic Waterjet technology.
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Materials Cut
Waterjet cutting offers an ideal solution for producing clean cuts on a variety of material types, such as:
- Composites
- Concrete
- Glass
- Metals and metal alloys
- Rubber
- Stone
The list of materials suitable for waterjet cutting is fairly comprehensive, primarily excluding only tempered glass and very hard ceramics.
- Non-abrasive waterjet cutting. Non-abrasive waterjet cutting is ideal for precisely cutting softer materials such as food, foam, rubber, and textiles. This process forces water at extremely high pressures through a ruby, sapphire, or diamond opening. The water stream moves at almost twice the speed of sound, granting exceptional cutting capabilities.
- Abrasive waterjet cutting. Adding abrasives to the water stream facilitates the cutting of very hard materials, including most metals.
These two methods grant a high level of versatility to the waterjet cutting process. Common examples of waterjet cutting projects may include:
- Cutting window panels from glass
- Art installations
- Creating optic lenses
- Cutting food during production to mitigate contamination risk caused by blades
Industries Served
Precision waterjet cutting offers accurate, clean cuts for a variety of different industries, including:
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Agriculture
- Architecture
- Artwork
- Energy
- Oil and gas
- Transportation
Benefits of Waterjet Cutting
Waterjet cutting offers a superior cutting method to most heat-based or friction-based cutting methods. With waterjet cutting, there is no risk of thermal distortion and work hardening that occur with heat-based cutting tools. Waterjet cutting also produces cutes with clean edges, unlike mechanical cutting methods that may require additional finishing to remove burrs and rough edges.
Precision waterjet cutting is a cold working process, ensuring that cuts won’t compromise the structure of the material and inadvertently alter or weaken its physical properties. Waterjet cutting is also 5-10 times faster than electrical discharge machining when working with materials less than 1 inch thick, and the minimal kerf provided by the waterjet cutting process reduces project waste.
