Waterjet Design & Cutting: Changing the Face Of The Stone Industry, Page 2 - Dimensional Stone, August 1995 - Creative Edge Mastershop Waterjet Fabrication

home page contact creative edge aalto design services residential hospitality / commercial materials company profile press coverage recent projects newsletter signup		WATERJET DESIGN & CUTTING: Changing the Face Of The Stone Industry (Continued from) Dimensional Stone, August 1995 Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
		BENEFITS OF WATERJET CUTTING Waterjets offer numerous benefit" for the architectural and interior design industries. Omni-directional shape-cutting capabilities allow for the cutting of complex shapes not possible with conventional tools or by hands. Fabricators can cut with ease any shape drawn on paper or generated on a computer, including complex inlays, medallions, borders and other challenging shapes. Also, the low level of mechanical stress exerted on the work piece by water jet cutting alleviates the fracturing of fragile materials. This, in turn, minimizes tooling and fixturing requirements. Automation is another key benefit. Operators interface with the waterjet through a PC-based or computer numerical control (CNC) controller, simplifying the fabrication process as compared to a manual cutting method. Operators simply download computer aided design (CAD) files into the controller to fabricate designs with their water jet. The CNC controller of the machine also enables the operator to easily recall programs and recreate pieces using the computer-generated drawings. The machine cuts every piece with precision, accuracy and consistency. And waterjets typically cut faster than conventional machinery. As a result, fabricators can ship the finished product to their customers in a shorter time frame than with conventional cutting methods. Garnet entrained in the waterjet stream helps ensure a smooth, finished cut requiring little, if any, finishing. And if a company has its own designers on board, all that is needed is a fax of the design. For those who have only a concept and not too much artistic skill, many water jet design and cutting companies employ full-time CAD operators who are graphic: designers and artists. "They are able to take a concept in the form of a photograph or crude, sketch through to the reality of shaping the design in stone or tile," says Richard Ward, manager of Daily Industries, Kent, OH. A GOOD COMBINATION In particular, good water jet cutting allows different materials to be combined together. "Imagine different shapes of marble, granite, travertine, ceramic tile, brass, stainless steel, glass and even wood, all combined within one amazing wall mural. The limits for stone design virtually disappear," says Ham Aalto, executive vice president/creative director of Creative Edge Corporation.		Typical Applications of Waterjet Cutting Joints are 1/16". Any joint size can be obtained, but this requires a double-cut on the part concerned, either to open up the cut, or to have a paper-thin joint. All assembly of parts is done from the back using either Akemi or K-bond. This makes the smaller and more intricate parts easier to install, yet leaves the front of the joint open allowing the installer to use the same grout on the whole job, giving the appearance that all the work was done on-site. All work: is always cut all the way through and then reassembled Brass, stainless steel and other alloys can be assembled into the stone. It is vital that the final application of the inlay is known, so as to ensure the correct thickness of alloy and the proper manner of installation is used. Shipping is vital to the success of this type of work-if not as important as having the work: done in the first place. Granite costs more to cut in general than marble, but some of the heavily veined and brecciated marbles require additional backing, increasing the cost of the marble. All that is needed when ordering or pricing a job is simply a fax of the work. Many waterjet companies have graphic designers that can render the work and prepare the drawings. “These seemingly impossible creations can be done perfectly every time; from any drawing. And whatever is created by the water jet process can be repeated ad infinitum," he says. BRASS, STAINLESS STEEL & ALLOY INLAYS Brass, stainless steel and various alloys for inlaying into stone and tile, is an area that Ward says, "is in growing demand." "More companies are wanting various alloys inlaid into stone, ceramic tiles and reconstituted tiles for corporate logos, foyers, lobbies and furniture. There are a few limitations, however. "Some materials cut better than others; some are not recommended. An experienced waterjet company will advise you relative to what you should and shouldn't use. And, very importantly, water jet is not a three-dimensional process. The technology, as of today, is only formulated to cut on flat surfaces," Aalto adds. Waterjet Design & Cutting - Continued

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