Abrasive waterjet cutting is a process for cutting materials using a stream of high pressure water, sometimes adding an entrained stream of abrasive particles to aid with the cut. Almost any material can be cut with this technology; metal, untempered glass, stone, wood; you name it, it can be cut with high pressure water. A special pump raises the pressure of the water from about 60 psi to 55,000 psi. The nozzle is moved in X and Y axes under computer control and can cut shapes difficult or impossible to make using other processes. The diameter of the "directed beam" of water will be about .040 inches in diameter, with some variation as components wear.
The surface finish of a part cut with this process appears as though it was sanded.
There is no HAZ, or heat-affected-zone, when you cut with water as you will have if you cut with plasma, laser or oxy-acetylene flame. (Notice the snow on the beam in the picture above.) Researchers have determined that temperature rise is limited to a maximum of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius & this has no effect on material temper. There is no discoloration due to heat & this is a key point if your part will be visible after assembly and cosmetics are crucial.
On the other hand, suppose your part is already hard and you don't want to anneal the part so someone can machine it? We can cut it regardless of temper.
What if your design calls out a material that is very abrasive & difficult to machine, like glass reinforced epoxy circuit board material? How about titanium? We've even cut silicone carbide and recently, three different types of meteorite.
Copyright 6/26/96 JetPoint Technologies Inc. Last update 1/18/06