ABRASIVE WATERJETS CUT THROUGH TOUGH MATERIALS

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Many applications require no additional finishing. When it is required, the edge is clean with no tempering. There is no delamination. Waterjet cutting also eliminates the heat-induced oxidation of metals such as nickel, titanium and cobalt-based alloys.

The narrow kerf produced by the water and garnet abrasive mixture maximizes material use. Computer control facilitates further conservation of material by allowing for very tight nesting and identical parts. Complex designs and patterns that are difficult to cut with other methods are less so with waterjet cutting.

Complex composites, such as metals bonded with non-metallic materials like fiberglass and graphite, can be cut easily. Metals that are bonded to dissimilar metals are cut without causing cross-metal contamination, which can change the characteristics of the combined metals. Hard metals, such as titanium, stainless steel and tool steel, up to five inches thick can be cut with relative ease.

The initial cost of abrasive water-jet-cutting equipment is high, but there are companies that can provide the service. It is important to evaluate the advantages of the process on a case-by-case basis, because waterjet cutting does have limitations. For example, currently the maximum accuracy in production is ±0.010 inch. Edges in some cases may require additional milling or polishing, depending on the final application. There is also a programming cost for any new part, but it generally is not high and amortizes into the total cost when any significant volume of parts are cut.

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