What is a water jet cutting machine? How does it work? Why should you consider it?
Water Jet Cutting—Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Water Jet Cutting Service?
Water jet cutting is a precision-cutting process used to cut irregular shapes from almost any material with exceptional precision and edge quality. This cost-effective cutting method uses an ultra-high-pressure stream of water to carry an abrasive grit through thick surfaces.
How Does Water Jet Cutting Work?
Water jet cutting is a targeted cutting method. When activating the cutting machine, you’re pumping pressure into a small-diameter nozzle. This orifice forms a coherent jet of water, and a metered amount of granular abrasive is drawn into the stream, giving it the power to slice through solid material including steel, plastic, wood, and even concrete. Mark your dimensions, aim the nozzle, and fire the pressure pump through the cutting sheet.
What Are the Benefits of Water Jet Cutting?
Superior Edge Quality
Edge quality is one of the main reasons designers prefer water jets. Not only does this method cut parts efficiently, but it often eliminates the need to apply a secondary finish. Water jet cutters combine speed, pressure, and abrasive flow rates to produce a burr-free edge in every cut.
Efficiency and Cost Savings
Water jet cutters have a tool for virtually any cutting application. Not only do they easily cut through thick products such as aluminum, composites, and steels, but they also provide gentle cuts on soft textures like paper, cushions, and decorative accents.
Water jet cutting is the most popular application for commercial roofing parts. When it’s time to replace shingles or sheet metal, water jet cutters help produce the custom-quality products that fit perfectly onto any roofing structure.
Exceptional Cutting Accuracy
Water jet machines are the most versatile cutting tools used in a variety of industries. This technology helps produce intricate designs that require high tolerances. Most machines cut with a razor-sharp accuracy of ±0.1 to ±0.2 mm.
Cuts Virtually Anything
By mixing water with high-pressure abrasion, you’re creating a needle-sharp cutting stream that can slice through any shape at any thickness level. This includes laminated and bonded items such as aluminum, composite panels, and rubber-lined wear plates.
Shapes you can craft include:
- Curves
- Straight cuts
- Internal holes
- Lettering
No Heat Affected Zones
Some cutting procedures generate heat to change the molecular structure of steel. This process often causes heat distortion, which hinders the performance of specialized applications found in bisalloy and armor plate products. Not only does this slow down steel fabrication, but it usually results in inaccurate product fittings. Water jet technology helps eliminate these issues. Since this is a cold cutting process, there’s no backlash of heat distortion or hardened edges of fabricated products, which helps accelerate the fabrication of intricate products.
No Tool Changes Necessary
It’s easy to improve operating efficiency and profitability by combining all cutting functions on one machine. There’s no need to change cutting tools when switching to another product with a water jet system. This technology applies to all forms of precision cuts. Simply adjust the feed rate and cutting head to the appropriate speed to match the type and thickness of the material.
Better Cutting Flexibility
Water jets are more flexible than any other form of precision cutting technology. Users can operate a water jet machine to fulfill any custom order. And the possibilities expand past architectural sheet metals. Some of the most popular options include:
- Aluminum
- Stainless steel
- Brass
- Titanium
- Silicone
- Granite
- Bronze
- Steel
- Raw metal
- Composite
- Tool steels
- Cast iron
- Mold plates
- Copper
- Stone
- Plastic
- Wood
- Glass
- Brick
- Cork
- Ceramics
- Marble and granite
- Plastics
- Carpeting
- Headliners
- Glass
- Rubber
- Foam
- Composites
- Tile
- Insulation
- Neoprene
- Awnings
Choose a High-Pressure Cutting Solution
When it comes to water jet cutting, Rainville-Carlson has the answers you need. Our experts provide precision-cutting solutions for a variety of roofing projects. We burnish material from its original state and transform it into a flawless masterpiece. From design to installation, you can count on us to apply the perfect level of craftsmanship to your roof.
Our clients can expect:
- Quick turnaround times
- Flexibly priced solutions
- Unbeatable curb appeal
Want to learn more about our state-of-the-art water cutting machine pressure solutions? Contact Rainville-Carlson for a free project consultation.
