Waterjet Cutting | Macroseal

Waterjet Cutting: What Is It?

Waterjet cutting is a manufacturing process that uses high-pressure water, or a mixture of water and abrasive particles, to cut and shape materials like metal, glass, stone, and plastic. The process works by directing a high-speed stream of water at the material, which is precisely cut by the combination of water pressure and abrasives. Waterjet cutting is a clean, fast, and flexible method that produces precise cuts and can be used on a wide range of materials, making it a popular choice in many industries including aerospace, automotive, and architecture.

Cut Quality

The cut quality of a waterjet refers to the overall finish, level of precision, and smoothness achieved in the cutting process conducted by a waterjet cutting machine. This method, known for its versatility and accuracy, uses a high-pressure stream of water mixed with abrasive particles to effectively cut through a wide array of materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites.

In general, waterjet cutting is renowned for its exceptional cut quality, making it a popular choice for applications that require high precision and a clean, burr-free finish. Nevertheless, like any process, the exact cut quality can vary depending on several factors, including the material being cut, the thickness of the material, the pressure and speed of the waterjet, the type and size of the abrasive particles, and the precision of the cutting system.

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Material

Our OMAX 80X abrasive waterjet has a working area of 154” × 72” × 6” and can easily cut any material that will fit within this area. The mix of 55,000psi water and garnet abrasive produces a clean, burr-free cut, leaving an excellent surface finish reminiscent of media blasting. Abrasive waterjet cutting is a “cold” process; the water and abrasive mix transfers minimal heat to the part, so heat-treated metallics can be cut without localized loss of material properties due to heat. Polymers, laminates, stone, and ceramics all cut effortlessly.

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