COMPARE CUTTING METHODS

Why do most engineers prefer waterjet cutting over other cutting methods? 

  • Faster part turn around !
  • No heat, warping, or material discoloration.
  • Capable of cutting complex & difficult shapes !
  • Cut materials that lasers can not cut.
  • Smooth finish with very little burr.
  • No material limitations. Cut just about any material.
  • No costly dies or fixtures required.
  • Easily cut materials as soft as foam or hard as rock.
  • No thermal stress put on material. Excellent for aerospace materials.
  • Cleaner cutting alternative to plasma cutting and flame cutting.
  • Time reduction compare to other cutting methods. Materials can be stacked and cut.
  • Can cut materials as thick as 10 inches.
  • Whatever your requirement, waterjet cutting is likely the best solution, cost wise, time wise, production wise.

How does waterjet cutting compare to other cutting methods ?

– compare the methods below to help in make the right decision –

Compare with EDM,FLAME,PLASMA,PUNCH PRESS & LASER CUTTING.

WIRE EDM CUTTING

  • Waterjets cut several times faster than EDM.
  • Waterjets make their own pierce holes.
  • Waterjets do not heat the surface of the material.
  • Waterjets require less setup time. (more cost savings).
  • Waterjets can cut bigger parts.
  • EDM is ideal when tolerances are extreme, typically less than .001

FLAME CUTTING

  • Waterjet cutting provides a clean and smooth edge finish.
  • No material limitation with waterjet such as wood, plastic.
  • Flame cutting is typically faster as it melts/burns the edge of material.
  • Flame cutting is cheaper if you can use it, but it's not for precision cutting.

PLASMA CUTTING

  • Plasma cutting will produces heat and smoke causing HAZ. (heat effected zone).
  • Waterjet cutting will compliment Plasma cutting where higher quality and more precision is desired.
  • Plasma Cutting has material restrictions.
  • Little cheaper if material stress, distortion and edge quality is not an issue.

PUNCH PRESS CUTTING

  • Waterjet is more cost effective on small quantity runs.
  • brittle materials cause no problems with waterjet cut.
  • Thick materials are easier to cut with waterjet.
  • Waterjet easily cuts holes closer to the material's edge.
  • Punching has a high initial cost. Punching dies needs to be made.
  • Punching is not cost effective for small quantity parts.
  • Punch press can make very large quantity of parts very quickly.

LASER CUTTING

  • Waterjet can cut many materials that lasers cannot.
  • With Waterjet cutting there is no thermal distortion or hardening of the material.
  • Waterjet will cut thicker materials than a laser.
  • Waterjet cutting is safer. No noxious fumes, no heat, no fire.
  • Waterjet cutting does not lose much focus when cutting over uneven surfaces.
  • Laser can leave a scaly edges, not recommended if parts need to achieve a hi-quality weld.
  • Waterjet cutting does not create "scaly" edges. Materials stay in their natural chemistry.
  • Waterjet will allow material to be stacked and cut simultaneously for quicker cutting.
  • Laser cutting is good for making tiny holes. (less than .020" dia).