Supported Waterjet Materials Archives Archives - TechniWaterjet https://www.techniwaterjet.com/waterjet-technology/supported-materials/ Manufacturer of CNC Waterjet Systems Mon, 21 Oct 2024 05:20:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-favicon1-32x32.png Supported Waterjet Materials Archives Archives - TechniWaterjet https://www.techniwaterjet.com/waterjet-technology/supported-materials/ 32 32 Water Jet Cutting For Composite Materials: Types, Applications & Benefits https://www.techniwaterjet.com/waterjet-cutting-composite-materials/ Sun, 05 Mar 2023 08:26:42 +0000 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/?p=20608 Composite materials are a challenge to cut with traditional cutting methods. This is due to the high hardness and poor machinability of composites. Due to its superior performance characteristics, waterjet cutting has found extensive use in cutting composites. This article will discuss the application of waterjet cutting for composite materials. You will learn about the […]

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]]> Composite materials are a challenge to cut with traditional cutting methods. This is due to the high hardness and poor machinability of composites. Due to its superior performance characteristics, waterjet cutting has found extensive use in cutting composites.

This article will discuss the application of waterjet cutting for composite materials. You will learn about the different composite materials you can cut with the waterjet cutting process.

Overview of Waterjet Cutting

Waterjet is a cold-cutting technology. It uses the force of extremely high-pressure water to remove material from a workpiece. The waterjet process works for all types of materials, including metals, alloys, stone, wood, glass, composites, ceramics, and more. Waterjet technology finds application in countless sectors, such as the aerospace industry, healthcare, automotive, defense, architecture, and more.

Can You Cut Composite Materials With Waterjet Technology?

Yes, you can easily cut composites with water jet cutting technology. In fact, it is common for waterjet cutters to cut composite blocks up to 12 inches in thickness. There is no minimum thickness limit when cutting composite sheets with a waterjet. Alternative cutting processes only cut a few inches of thick composites.

The supersonic erosion of material by jet of water is very fast and precise. Abrasive materials are added to the water for harder materials. The process then turns into abrasive water jet cutting.

What are Composite Materials?

Composite materials are made by combining particles of different materials. The objective is to utilize the best properties of constituent materials. Composites usually show enhanced properties than their constituent materials. Physical strength is one of the common parameters that is improved considerably. This makes composites very hard to cut with machine tools. Composites are of two types- natural and synthetic.

What are the Common Types of Composite Materials?

Waterjet can cut through all types of composites. Some of the common composite materials that are cut using waterjet technology are:

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a composite of plastic and glass. Glass fibers are added to plastic substances to enhance their properties. The resulting composite is stronger than many metals out there. Fiberglass can be molded into any shape required. Waterjet-cut fiberglass is used in aircraft windows, automobiles, boats, bath enclosures, pools, water tanks, surfboards, and many other components.

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic is commonly called carbon fiber or simply carbon. In CFRP, the strength of plastics is improved by adding carbon fibers. The resulting composite has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness. CFRP is expensive to manufacture. Therefore, waterjet cutting provides an efficient way to cut CFRP without wasting any material. Common applications of waterjet cut CFRP include making automotive frames, sports equipment, marine industry parts, cycle frames, and more.

Reinforced Concrete

Concrete is a very strong material by itself. However, adding reinforcement fibers to concrete takes its strength to the next level. Common cutting tools don’t work well on reinforced concrete. Tool breakage and accelerated wear are usual occurrences. However, the abrasive water jet can easily cut through thick concrete blocks. Waterjet-cut concrete is useful in art installations, construction, and the interior design sector.

Plastics

Plastics don’t inherently fall into the category of composite materials. Plastics become composites when reinforcements are added to it. This greatly increases the physical properties of plastics while providing a low-cost manufacturing material. However, plastic composites are negatively affected by heat. Waterjet cutting is the perfect option for cutting plastic composites since it is a cold-cutting process.

Paper

The paper industry was one of the first ones to adopt waterjet technology. Waterjet can cut very thick reams of paper without any issue. In fact, water jet also works well for other similar materials like wallpapers and textiles.

Plywood

Plywood is a composite that combines natural wood with artificial adhesive material layers. Plywood is used extensively in furniture, interiors, cabinets, construction, and other use cases. Waterjet cutters can cut multiple stacked pieces of plywood simultaneously. This is why waterjet technology is commonly used in industries manufacturing or using plywood.

Ceramic Matrix Composites

Ceramic matrix composites (CMC) include materials like alumina, silicon carbide, and mullite. These materials are brittle and can break with improper use of force. Waterjet cutting is ideal for these materials due to the highly narrow water beam. Waterjet cut CMC materials are used in heat exchangers, hot liquid filters, jet engine components, insulation, burners, and other applications.

Metal Matrix Composites

Metal matrix composites (MMC) contain fiber reinforcements spread into a base metal. Metal matrix composites have a higher toughness and damage tolerance than constituent materials. Common metals used in MMC are aluminum, magnesium, and titanium. MMC materials find use in making cutting tools, defense parts, aerospace components, consumer electronics, and marine parts.

Pros and Cons of Using Waterjet Cutting For Composites

Abrasive waterjet cutting is one of the best cutting processes for composites. The process has a lot of benefits and very few limitations. Let us go through each of these one by one:

Advantages of Waterjet Cutting For Composites

  • Fast Process: Waterjet can cut composites in single-pass cutting. This speeds up the cutting process significantly.
  • Versatile: Waterjet cutting can work on a wide range of materials. Therefore, a single machine can be used for multiple applications.
  • Higher Production: Faster cutting speeds mean that manufacturers can produce more parts in any given time. This increases the production rate for the operation.
  • Reduced Wastage: Waterjet cutting removes minimum material from the workpiece. This is due to the ultra-thin water stream. Therefore, material wastage is reduced in this process.
  • High-Quality Cutting: The parts cut with a waterjet have smoother finish. This leads to the production of very high-quality parts.
  • Accuracy: Waterjet technology has extreme precision and minimal kerfs. It is the go-to cutting method where secondary assembly is required.
  • Cold Cutting Process: Waterjet is a cold-cutting process. There are no heat-affected zones with this technology. Therefore, there is no damage to the material in any way.
  • Cost Saving: The faster production rate and reduced wastage mean manufacturers can produce parts cheaper. This makes waterjet technology a cost-saving process.
  • No Cracking: Waterjet cutting works well even on extremely thin material thickness. Thin wafers of composite materials don’t crack when cut with a water jet.
  • Dust Containment: The material removed in water jet cutting gets dissolved in the water. It leads to a dust-free workplace. Alternative cutting technologies tend to dirty the workplace. For instance, cutting CFRP with conventional methods creates a lot of carbon fiber dust. Waterjet dissolves the carbon dust, which can be strained later.
  • Safety: Workers do not have to handle the waterjet cutting tool. The entire machinery is controlled automatically with CNC software. Therefore, this process has very high safety standards.
  • No Distortion: The lack of heat-affected zones means there is no possibility of heat distortion or warping in the material.
  • Stacking: You can stack multiple layers of material and cut them together. This works when same shape is required from multiple layers of material. It leads to exponential increase in production speed.

Disadvantages of Waterjet Cutting For Composites

  • Pilot Hole: Waterjet cutting requires starting from the workpiece edge. If that is impossible, you must drill a pilot hole in the workpiece with the initial water beam.
  • Tempered Glass: Tempered glass and diamonds are the sole exclusions for waterjet cutting. Tempered glass punctures on impact. Therefore, the waterjet stream cannot cut it.
  • Operator Skill: Waterjet machines require a skilled operator for optimum results.

Applications of Waterjet Cutting of Composites

Waterjet works on a large range of materials. Therefore, many industries have utilized this technology for several use cases. Some of these use cases of waterjet technology are:

Architecture and Construction

  • Cutting concrete panels for building sites
  • Shower enclosures
  • Bath tubs
  • Wash basins
  • Sinks
  • Stone Countertops
  • Pool panels
  • Tiles

Sports Industry

  • Badminton and tennis rackets
  • Fishing poles
  • Golf clubs
  • Cricket bats
  • Surfboards
  • Skiing gear

Aviation and Aerospace

  • Aircraft windows
  • Frame
  • Turbine blades
  • Heat exchanges
  • Insulators

Automobile Industry

  • Racing car bodies
  • Windows
  • Display panel covers
  • Dashboard

Furniture

  • Cabinets
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Recreational equipment

Defense

  • Kevlar based parts
  • Apparel

How to Choose Waterjet Cutter For Composite Cutting?

Cutting composites can be as challenging as the toughest metals. Therefore, you must choose the right water jet equipment for the job. Here are some of the considerations that you should keep in mind:

Pure vs. Abrasive Waterjet Cutting

Softer composites like paper cardboard can be cut using a pure waterjet machine. On the other hand, harder composites like fiberglass will require an abrasive waterjet. Pure waterjet is cheaper and has reduced tooling costs. Consider the type of waterjet cutter you require.

Pump Pressure

Pump pressure has a major impact on the machine’s cost. The pump pressure is very application specific. Find the appropriate water pressure requirement for your job. It will save on the initial costs and provide better cutting results.

Build Quality

Waterjet cutters are a significant investment. Therefore, investing in a high-quality machine is always recommended. Superior build quality will avoid machine breakdowns and reduce maintenance costs significantly. It is better to spend a little extra towards build quality initially. Otherwise, you will pay that amount many times over during later repairs.

Features

Additional features such as underwater cutting, safety measures, vacuum assist valve, and software support can be useful. Underwater cutting in itself creates a quieter and dust-free workplace. Therefore, check the added features that your product offers.

Where to Find a Waterjet Cutting Machine?

Techni Waterjet is the leading supplier of waterjet equipment globally. These machines are very high quality with multiple safety levels. Every Techni Waterjet machine comes with complimentary software preloaded with basic cut shapes. You can add your own customized shapes and create any complex cuts required. All spare parts are available promptly whenever required.

Conclusion

Waterjet cutting is the best solution when it comes to cutting composites. The time and raw material savings with this method are tremendous. Other benefits of waterjet technology make alternative cutting processes feel very old school in comparison. Therefore, if you are searching for a cutting method for composites, look no further than waterjet. Contact Techni Waterjet to find the best machine for your requirements.

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]]> Superior Quality Waterjet Food Cutting https://www.techniwaterjet.com/cutting-food-with-a-waterjet-cutter/ Thu, 10 Nov 2022 19:29:29 +0000 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/?p=19882 The post Superior Quality Waterjet Food Cutting appeared first on TechniWaterjet.

]]>

Every type of food requires proper cutting and packaging to preserve its integrity until the end user consumes it. Food manufacturers have tried countless packaging and cutting technology options in the last decades to find the best for food hygiene, quality, and integrity.

One of the significant contenders for superior food-cutting results is waterjet food-cutting technology. Due to its popularity, people often ask about its effectiveness and whether or not it has any benefits.

This article discusses waterjet food cutting, its benefits, limitations, and how to use it in the best way possible.

Can You Cut Food With a Water Jet Cutter?

Yes, it is possible to cut food with a waterjet cutter. One of its key benefits is its ability to cut random shapes in food products. In fact, waterjet technology is the best way to cut food. It is one of the fastest-growing trends in food-production facilities. This method can be used to cut any food product, with some common ones being:

    • Different types of steaks

    • Cod

    • Cakes and Pastries

    • Candy Bars & other Confection Products

    • Fish

    • Pineapple

    • Celery

    • Leek

    • Lamb

    • Sweet Potato

    • Silverbeet

    • Pumpkin

    • Baked food products like danish

    • Frozen Food

    • Pizza

    • Poultry

    • Meats

    • Many other fruits and vegetables

What are the Benefits of Using a Water Jet to Cut Food?

There are many reasons to replace conventional cutting solutions with waterjet food cutting technology. The benefits include:

Hygienic Method

Waterjet food cutting does not require physical blade cutting or any other tool contact with the food item. The process is done using high-pressure water, so it is hygienic without any possibility of cross-contamination or bacterial transfer. Additionally, the lack of manual interference maintains a sanitary environment by eliminating contamination risk factors such as human hair.

Minimal Kerfs

Waterjet cutting leads to a small kerf width, removing the least amount of material from the food item. It is an important factor, as even a slight amount of product lost is expensive.

Cutting Shape Versatility

The fine-servo technology and precision vision system used in waterjet cutting make it possible to do intricate cutting to make any shape and size. All that is required is to load the specific program and the waterjet cutting nozzle will automatically move in an efficient cutting pattern to create that shape. Cutting shapes can be done with meats, vegetables, fish, frozen foods, or other items as required.

Operation Safety

Waterjet cutting provides the highest safety for the operator and other workers. A conventional solution, such as physical blade cutting, often leads to human injury. However, there is no requirement to manually handle the cutting nozzle in waterjet cutting.

Cost-Effective

Waterjet cutting is a fast and automated cutting technology. So it can lead to more control and efficient production. Additionally, it doesn’t require the metal detection machines that other cutting methods require to detect broken blade fragments. These reasons make waterjet cutting one of the most cost-effective and highly efficient cutting methods out there.

Environment-Friendly

Waterjet cutting is a completely green process because it does not use harsh chemicals or release toxic gases. The only ingredient used in this process is pure water, which can be recycled after the process.

Longer Shelf Life

By eliminating the chances of contamination and creating high-quality cuts, waterjet cutting provides a longer shelf life for food items. In other cutting methods, there is always some degree of contamination, which leads to quicker spoiling of food products.

Less Product Waste

The minimal kerfs lead to lower material removal, minimal product waste, and greater efficiency. When using cutting technology like blade cutting, a lot of material gets removed and stuck to the blades. This leads to higher product waste and more rejections.

Ease of Use

While other cutting methods require extensive training and skill, water jet cutting technology has no such requirement. The machine is controlled with software that contains all the cut shapes preloaded. To create any particular cut shape, the operator just needs to select that option on the machine.

No Heat Damage

Heat can change food completely. Cutting tools often become heated during cutting operations, which is undesirable in the food industry when cutting items. However, waterjet cutting is a cold food-cutting solution, leading to no heat damage.

Less Maintenance

Physical tools like knife blades require maintenance, such as sharpening dull blades. However, since waterjet cutting is a simple cutting solution using water, much less maintenance is needed.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approved

The FDA is the sheriff when it comes to any products in the food industry or pharmaceuticals. If any product or production method is dangerous or harmful, it is outlawed by the FDA. The organization has given USDA approval for waterjet cutting as a completely safe food-cutting process. The fact that waterjet cutting food is a USDA-approved method has driven the growing trend in applying this technology in the food industry.

24×7 Operation

Waterjet cutting machines need no breaks and no downtime for changing blades (since none exist!). Ultrahigh-pressure waterjets can cut 24×7 in the food industry, leading to an exponential rise in production rate.

How to Choose a Water Jet Food Cutter?

When choosing a water jet cutting machine for the food industry, the equipment must be selected carefully. Some of the factors to consider are:

  • Build Quality: The food industry provides one of the most critical consumer goods – food. Therefore, low-quality machinery that has a possibility of frequent breakdowns won’t do. When choosing, focus on the machine build quality above anything else. Even minor machine breakdowns can lead to the rotting of food or the spoiling of entire batches.

  • Budget: Budget is a crucial factor to consider when purchasing, especially for small to medium-scale food production and packaging facilities. Waterjet machines are available in a wide price range, so set the budget you wish to spend on the process.

  • Features: Waterjet cutting in the food processing industry does not require features associated with abrasive usage or underwater cutting, which are more useful for cutting materials like metal. Therefore, it is a cost-saving idea to go easy on the features and choose only those required.

Best Waterjet Cutter for Food Products

Techni Waterjet’s machines are often considered the best waterjet technology for food processing and cutting by various industry experts and Food Production Daily magazine. These machines are built to last and have popular cut shapes preloaded in the software, which comes complimentary with each machine.

These waterjet cutters are already being used by countless small to large-scale kitchens and food processing industries. They can cut an item of any thickness into any shape possible. Therefore, if you are wondering which manufacturer to choose, you can never go wrong with Techni Waterjet.

i35 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i35-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		1700 x 2600 x 2050 mm
67" x 102.3" x 80.7"
Cutting Area915 x 1525 mm
36" x 60"
Machine TypeCantilever
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		0.1 mm - 0.004"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i510 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i612-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		4900 x 2650 x 2050 mm
193” x 104.3” x 80.7”
Cutting Area1830 x 3660 mm
72" x 144"
Machine TypeCantilever
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Water Cutting Machine Width - TECHNI Waterjet

i713-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		5800 x 3100 x 2100 mm
228" x 122" x 82.7"
Cutting Area2000 x 4000 mm
78.7" x 157.5"
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Water Cutting Machine Width - TECHNI Waterjet

i1020-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		8000 x 4200 x 2000 mm
315" x 165.3" x 78.7"
Cutting Area3050 x 6100 mm
120" x 240"
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i510 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i510-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		4200 x 2350 x 2050 mm
165” x 92” x 80.7”
Cutting Area 1525 x 3050 mm
60" x 120"
Machine TypeCantilever
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.12 mm - 0.005"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i613 Mini - TECHNI Waterjet

i613-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		5200 x 2700 x 2300 mm
205” x 106” x 91”
Cutting Area1700 x 3700 mm
66.9” x 145.7”
Machine TypeMonoblock
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness130 mm - 5"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Water Cutting Machine Width - TECHNI Waterjet

i815-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		6580 x 3500 x 2100 mm
269.7” x 137.8” x 82.7”
Cutting Area2350 x 4750 mm
92.5” x 187”
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i1033 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i1033-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		12800 x 5400 x 2200 mm
503.9” x 212.6” x 86.6”
Cutting Area10000 x 3000 mm
393.7” x 118.1”
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		± 0.1 mm - 0.004”
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Endnotes

Waterjet cutting technology is already replacing other cutting methods in the global food industry. Water jet cutting turns out to be the winner whether we consider the very intricate cutting perspective or see it from the point of view of hygiene and cost efficiency.

Therefore, whether your industry works with meat, vegetables, fish, frozen foods, or any other sector, water jet cutting is the best fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the answers to some common doubts regarding water jet cutting of food:

 

Can water jet cut bone?

Yes, water jet cutting can cut through bone with ease. This is one of the reasons that a large portion of food applications of waterjet involve cutting various types of meat.

 

Will water jet cutting make food wet?

No, water jet cutting technology does not make the food wet. The process applies a very thin stream of water, thinner than a strand of human hair. Therefore, the cutting process is very controlled. In fact, the earliest waterjet applications involved paper cutting, so wetness is out of the question.

The post Superior Quality Waterjet Food Cutting appeared first on TechniWaterjet.

]]> Techni Water Jet Cutting Rubber – Unlock the Best Results https://www.techniwaterjet.com/water-jet-cutting-rubber/ Thu, 10 Nov 2022 19:20:56 +0000 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/?p=19865 Cutting rubber sheets is quite challenging due to the physical properties of rubber and the high quantity and thickness of rubber sheets processed in industrial settings. The challenges in cutting rubber and the drawbacks of blade cutters led manufacturers to search for an alternative rubber-cutting process. Pure water jet cutting (PWJ) is one of the […]

The post Techni Water Jet Cutting Rubber – Unlock the Best Results appeared first on TechniWaterjet.

]]> Cutting rubber sheets is quite challenging due to the physical properties of rubber and the high quantity and thickness of rubber sheets processed in industrial settings. The challenges in cutting rubber and the drawbacks of blade cutters led manufacturers to search for an alternative rubber-cutting process.

Pure water jet cutting (PWJ) is one of the best alternatives to conventional cutting processes. It has found applications in rubber cutting for more than half a century. In fact, this is the technology of choice for all rubber processing companies, from small-scale manufacturers to large-scale plants.

In this article, we will discuss the water jet cutting process for rubber, its benefits, applications, and other vital information.

Can You Cut Rubber With a Water Jet Cutter?

Yes, it is possible (and very easy) to cut rubber with a water jet cutter. In fact, the capabilities of a rubber waterjet cutter outperform any other method, like die cutting using metal tools, whether in terms of rubber sheet thickness or cutting accuracy. Waterjet cutting is not limited to pure rubber but also applies to rubber-backed metals and other substrate materials.

Some of the rubber materials that you can cut with a water jet cutter are:

  • Natural rubber (NR)
  • AFLAS rubber (TFE/P)
  • SCE-42 Sponge
  • Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA)
  • Butyl rubber (IIR)
  • Polyurethane (AU)
  • Chloroprene rubber (Neoprene)
  • Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
  • Cloth-inserted rubber
  • Fabric reinforced rubber
  • Epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO)
  • Fluoroelastomers (fluorocarbon-based synthetic rubbers)
  • Fluorosilicone rubber
  • Hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR)
  • Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
  • Vulcanized rubber
  • Chlorosulphonated polyethylene (CSM)
  • Kalrez rubber
  • Polyacrylic rubber (ACM)
  • Rubber backed Metals
  • FDA-certified rubber material

What are the Benefits of Using a Water Jet to Cut Rubber?

There are many advantages that waterjet cutting provides over other cutting technologies, such as using a die-cut machine. Some of these advantages are:

No Heat Affected Zone

Cutting rubber parts using other cutting technologies, such as a laser cutting process or blade cutting, creates a heat-affected zone (HAZ). The HAZ can result in changing rubber profiles in the affected areas and spoiling large sheets of rubber, which is costly. However, waterjet cutting is a cold-cutting action, so there are no heat-affected zones and no melting.

No Toxic Fumes

When rubber is subjected to high temperatures, it releases toxic fumes that are unhealthy for the human workforce. However, since waterjet cutting does not lead to any temperature rise in the raw material, there is no emission of toxic fumes.

Cutting Thicker Materials and Stacking

With waterjet cutting, there is no maximum limit to the thickness of rubber sheets that you can cut in production runs. In fact, to speed up the production rate, you can stack multiple sheets of rubber material on top of each other (up to 8 inches) and cut parts simultaneously with waterjet cutting. This process is called stacking. It will significantly save production time for manufacturers.

Environment Friendly

Water jet cutting of soft materials like rubber does not require any abrasive. The water used in the process can be strained and recycled back into the system. This makes the water jet cutting process a very environment-friendly technology. Not to forget, there are no heating effects or toxic fumes either.

Cost-Effective and Efficient

Several factors make waterjet cutting a cost-saving method. Firstly, the cutting tool is water which is cheap and recycled into the system. Secondly, the waterjet cutting process is automated, so no human workforce is required other than to load the CNC file for each job. Thirdly, by stacking you can produce parts up to ten times faster, leading to higher production rates. Finally, waterjet cutting eliminates the need for expensive tooling charges for different scheduled jobs.

High Precision

Despite low operating costs and quick turnarounds, waterjet cutting does not compromise precision and accuracy. Waterjet cutting has one of the lowest tolerances among any cutting processes, leading to the high accuracy of even narrow cuts. Furthermore, it allows the manufacturing of the most intricate designs.

Versatile Shapes

Waterjet cutting has no limitations when it comes to handling complex designs and cutting shapes. If a shape is imaginable, it can be cut using a water jet cutting machine. High-quality waterjet cutting equipment like Techni Waterjet cutters come with preloaded software for common cut shapes. To make any shape, the operator only has to select the option in the software. A water jet can easily produce small parts like rubber gaskets.

Minimal Material Wastage

Waterjet cutting has a low kerf and removes minimal material during the cutting process, unlike other cutting technologies. This leads to minimal material wastage and helps avoid uneven cuts. In other cutting methods like die cutting, the material wastage is astonishingly high.

Flawless Edge Quality

Due to the ultra-high pressure water, the cut edge is very smooth. The superior edge quality eliminates the need for any secondary finishing processes on the rubber part. This saves time as well as costs in manufacturing.

Safe Technology

The water jet cutting process is one of the safest cutting technologies because the operator does not have to physically control the cutting tool. Additionally, there are no toxic fumes. This is why water jet cutting is the go-to choice for professionals focused on safety.

Applications of Water Jet Cutting of Rubber

The water jet cutting of rubber finds applications in several use cases. Waterjet cutting is utilized for production scale, rapid prototyping requiring a quick turnaround time, and custom-made solutions (for instance, water jet cut gaskets).

Industries

  • Automotive
  • Agriculture
  • Recreation
  • Aerospace
  • Military

Applications and uses

Some of the common parts manufactured using water jet cutting are:

  • Tires
  • Pipes
  • Airbags
  • Rubber balls
  • Ductile materials
  • Toys
  • Nozzle stream sprayers
  • Hoses
  • Seals
  • Waterjet cut gaskets
  • Insulation
  • Custom sealing solutions
  • Office products

How to Choose a Water Jet Rubber Cutter?

Once you are set on using a water jet cutting machine for your workshops, many options are available. When cutting soft materials like rubber, the choice should depend on the following factors:

  • Budget: Water jet cutting equipment is a significant investment. Therefore, the first step should be to outline how much money you can spend on the cutter. These machines have a wide price range, so having a budget will help reduce the number of suitable options to consider.
  • Pump Pressure: Waterjet cutting relies on a stream of pressurized water created by a high-pressure water pump. While harder and thicker materials like metal alloys require ultra-high pressure water and abrasive, there are no such requirements for soft materials like rubber. Choosing a moderate water pressure pump will suffice for rubber materials and save costs significantly.
  • Build Quality: Build quality is a crucial characteristic of heavy-duty equipment like a waterjet cutting machine. Compromising build quality can pile up costs later in terms of maintenance and downtime.
  • Software Compatibility: The best thing about waterjet cutting is that it is a CNC cutting process run by automated software control. Therefore, the machine you choose should come with software that is easy to use and has preloaded cut shapes.

Best Water Jet Cutting Equipment for Rubber Materials

Techni CNC Waterjet cutting machines are often considered the best by industry experts. These machines are used by numerous small to large-scale manufacturers globally.

Techni Waterjet cutters have a high build quality and spare parts available whenever required. This means that your manufacturing facility will not suffer any downtime whatsoever. Additional tooling costs are minimal, and complimentary software support for machines is provided along with many preloaded shapes.

Conclusion

Water jet cutting rubber is the best cutting method today, offering many advantages and is environment-friendly. This holds true for thin materials, thick materials, soft materials, and hard materials (virtually any material). When cutting materials like rubber, water jet cutting is not only precise but also very cheap due to the lack of abrasives.

Waterjet cutting can be a great add-on to your workshop. Many manufacturers have already replaced die-cutting machines with waterjet cutters.

Do you cut rubber as part of your regular business operations? Then you should use a Techni Waterjet cutter – you won’t regret it!

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]]> Waterjet Cutting Copper https://www.techniwaterjet.com/waterjet-copper-cutting/ Sat, 05 Nov 2022 08:28:36 +0000 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/?p=19835 Copper materials are used in a wide range of applications due to their physical properties, such as high thermal and electrical conductivity. Professionals rely on waterjet cutting technology for most copper-cutting jobs. While copper waterjet cutting is simple and similar to cutting other metals, certain doubts arise, such as the types of copper materials that […]

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]]> Copper materials are used in a wide range of applications due to their physical properties, such as high thermal and electrical conductivity. Professionals rely on waterjet cutting technology for most copper-cutting jobs.

While copper waterjet cutting is simple and similar to cutting other metals, certain doubts arise, such as the types of copper materials that can be cut. This article will settle any questions regarding using a waterjet to cut copper and provide many tips to improve cutting quality and efficiency.

Can a Water Jet Cutter Cut Copper?

Yes, water jet cutting is great to cut materials such as copper. In fact, waterjet cutting provides several advantages (discussed in the sections to come) that make it the best copper cutting method compared to alternatives like laser cutting and plasma cutting.

Waterjet cutting copper works well up to a maximum thickness of 12 inches, which is more than enough for most applications. Additionally, this method can cut any type of copper, including:

  • Pure copper
  • Copper alloys
  • Recycled copper
  • Copper compounds
  • High conductivity copper
  • Hard tempered copper
  • Soft tempered copper
  • Scrap Copper

What are the Benefits of Using a Water Jet to Cut Copper?

Water jet cutting provides several advantages when used for cutting copper. Some of these are:

Cold Cutting Process

Waterjet cutting is a cold-cutting technique, unlike alternatives such as laser cutting or plasma cutting. In methods like plasma cutting, the temperature at the cut edge rises sharply leading to heat-affected zones. Heat-affected zones change the visual appearance of materials and alter their properties and integrity.

But waterjet cutting has no heated element like a laser or plasma. Additionally, the water itself acts as a coolant. Therefore, there is no heat-affected zone formed during cutting.

Accuracy

One reason waterjet cutting is the professionals’ favorite is its high precision. Waterjet cutting is a highly accurate method, second only to laser cutting. The high precision also results in better consistency. This is why water jet cutting is used for making cases for electronics such as iPhones and laptops.

Efficiency

Waterjet cutting is capable of processing thick blocks of copper at high speed. Additionally, multiple copper sheets or pipes can be stacked together to exponentially increase production speed. This process is called stacking and is only possible with waterjet cutting machines.

Edge Quality

The high-pressure water used in cutting copper creates a cut-edge quality that is second to none. The smooth edge quality eliminates the need for any secondary processing method, such as grinding. It is also an added advantage in the aesthetic applications of copper.

Safety

Waterjet cutting does not require the operator to manually handle the tool. Additionally, there is no high-temperature laser or plasma that can cause burns. The lack of high temperature also eliminates the emission of toxic fumes during cutting. All these factors make waterjet cutting one of the safest cutting processes available today.

Dust Free Cutting

All the copper particles generated during the cutting process dissolve in the water. These can be strained and recycled later on. In high-temperature cutting methods, the removed copper particles either settle in the workshop or form melted slag that cannot be recycled due to contamination with other elements.

Applications of Copper Waterjet Cutting

Here are some of the use cases of copper materials cut with a waterjet cutter:

  • Kitchen Utensils
  • Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
  • Etching
  • Jewelry
  • Pipes
  • Electrical Conductors
  • Electronic Devices
  • Transformers
  • Railings
  • Hooks
  • Sanitary Fittings
  • Latches
  • Signage

Tips For Cutting Copper With a Water Jet Cutter

Waterjet cutting is a far superior method for copper processing. It is possible to increase the cut quality and efficiency even further by incorporating the following tips when cutting copper:

Optimizing Design: Making slight changes to the design can significantly increase the speed and quality of waterjet cutting. For instance, replacing sharp corners and edges with curves. This will speed up the cutting because the waterjet cutting machine has to stop and start at the sharp edges but can navigate through curves without stopping.

Using Stacking: Stacking can considerably increase the output of a waterjet cutting machine. When a project needs consistent shapes, stack multiple sheets of copper on each other and cut them simultaneously with one waterjet cutting machine.

What to Consider When Choosing a Water Jet Copper Cutting Machine?

If you are looking to buy a water-jet-cutting machine for copper, here are some things to consider:

Pump Pressure: High-pressure water is the element that accomplishes the cutting process. It might make you think that opting for ultra-high-pressure pumps (about 90,000 psi) will work the best. However, they are unnecessary since copper is a soft metal, and ultra-high-pressure pumps suffer frequent breakdowns. Choose a pump in the range of 50,000 psi to 60,000 psi for optimal performance and efficiency.

Build Quality: Build quality is the driving factor for a waterjet machine. From the table size to the number of cutting heads incorporated, if a cutting machine has poor quality and design, it will break down frequently, leading to downtime for the manufacturer. However, good quality machines with spare part availability ensure a smooth, uninterrupted operation.

Number of Axes: More cutting axes mean the water jet cutting machine can create a highly intricate design. However, a higher number of axes also means a significantly higher equipment cost. Therefore, choose a machine with adequate cutting axes suitable for your design requirements.

Recommended Water Jet Cutting Machine for Copper

Do you want all the benefits of cutting copper using water jet cutting? Techni Waterjet cutters are the best equipment for the job. They are designed with the highest manufacturing standards to handle whatever you throw at them. Also, spare parts are available on short notice.

Is a Water Jet the Best Solution For Cutting Copper?

Yes, waterjet cutting is the absolute best option for copper. The benefits mentioned earlier are just the tip of the iceberg of what water-jet-cutting copper can offer. The consistently smooth edges and high accuracy of cuts produced by water jet cutting speak for themselves.

Conclusion

Copper is an extensively used material, but only a few processes, such as water jet cutting, meet the demanding requirements for cutting it successfully. Therefore, if you want to incorporate the best cutting method for your manufacturing workshop, look no further than a waterjet cutting machine. Get in touch with Techni Waterjet to find out which water jet cutting machine best suits your requirements.

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]]> Waterjet Cutting for Titanium https://www.techniwaterjet.com/waterjet-titanium-cutting/ Sat, 05 Nov 2022 07:57:47 +0000 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/?p=19830 Titanium is one of the hardest metals out there, which is why it finds countless applications where high strength and durability are required. It also narrows down the available methods for cutting titanium. This is why professionals often ask ‘Is water jet cutting titanium possible?’ Water jet cutting is an entirely different concept from other […]

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]]> Titanium is one of the hardest metals out there, which is why it finds countless applications where high strength and durability are required. It also narrows down the available methods for cutting titanium. This is why professionals often ask ‘Is water jet cutting titanium possible?’

Water jet cutting is an entirely different concept from other methods. Therefore, cutting titanium with a water jet requires an understanding of the unique benefits of this process and the tips to improve its quality.

Can a Water Jet Cutter Cut Titanium?

Yes, a water jet works quite well for cutting titanium. In fact, with waterjet cutting, you can cut titanium blocks up to 8 inches in thickness (12 inches for softer metals such as cutting aluminum). This is higher than any other method such as laser cutting can achieve.

There are many different types of titanium available commercially. Titanium waterjet cutting works well for every type of titanium, without any requirement to change the machine. Here are some of the different types of titanium cut using a waterjet:

  • Commercially Pure Titanium
  • Titanium Grade 1
  • Titanium Grade 2
  • Titanium Grade 3
  • Titanium Grade 4
  • Titanium Grade 5
  • Metastable β Type Titanium Alloy
  • α type Titanium Alloy
  • α + β Type Titanium Alloy
  • β Type Titanium Alloy

Apart from titanium, water jet cutting machines are used for a variety of metals.

What are the Benefits of Using a Water Jet to Cut Titanium?

Manufacturers prefer abrasive waterjet cutting titanium over any other alternative due to the several advantages of this process. Some of these benefits of waterjet cutting are:

No Heat-Affected Zones

A heat-affected zone occurs when the friction or heat generated by the cutting tool raises the temperature of the areas adjacent to the cut location. Heat-affected zones are unwanted as they can ruin the material integrity and make the material visually unappealing.

Since waterjet does not utilize a cutting tool and due to the presence of water, there is no heat-affected zone formed during the process. This is the biggest advantage of waterjet cutting.

Efficient

When you cut titanium with abrasive waterjet cutting, there is high efficiency in the process. Additionally, waterjet has the capability to cut multiple sheets of titanium simultaneously by placing them on top of each other. This process is called stacking, and it boosts the productivity of the process exponentially.

By employing stacking, manufacturing units also save costs in terms of reduced labor, maintenance, and hourly costs. Stacking cannot be used in other cutting methods such as laser.

High Precision

Machining titanium with a waterjet has one of the lowest tolerances, making it a high precision cutting process. This unmatched accuracy of waterjet cutting, combined with its high quality cuts, eliminate the need for any secondary finishing further saving time and costs.

Complex Designs

Waterjet machines come in multiple-axis options such as 3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis, and so on. A higher-axis machine provides the opportunity to create highly complex and intricate designs in 3 dimensions.

High Safety

Water jet is one of the safest cutting methods out there. Firstly, the process itself does not require manual handling which eliminates the possibility of injury. Secondly, since it is a cold cutting method, there are no toxic fumes eliminated. This keeps the workspace safe for the workforce.

Dust Free Cutting

When you cut titanium with blades and cutters, it generates a lot of metal dust in the workplace. Methods like laser cutting create slag that is hard to get rid of. In cutting aluminum or titanium with a water jet, all the dust generated is dissolved in the water and can be separated easily with a strainer. This keeps the workshop clean and dust free.

Applications of Water Jet Cutting Titanium

Waterjet cut titanium is extensively used in applications such as:

  • Jewelry Making: Jewelry applications require cutting titanium on a very precise and minute scale for making rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings, and many other things. Since the thickness of a water jet is less than a human hair, it accomplishes this job quite well.
  • Tennis Rackets: Sports equipment such as tennis rackets require cutting titanium or aluminum. The versatility and high-quality finish of the waterjet make it the ideal method for cutting aluminum and titanium for tennis racket production. Other sports equipment such as goaltender masks are also made with a waterjet.
  • Cycle Frames: High-quality cycle frames are made by cutting titanium and aluminum and then welding the parts together. The cutting process is accomplished with a waterjet cutter for high productivity and accuracy.
  • Smartphones: To make smartphones sturdy, they incorporate metals such as aluminum and titanium. Waterjet cutting titanium is the best way to make these frames due to the ultra-high level of precision and quality control required.

Tips to Improve Quality When Cutting Titanium With a Water Jet Cutter

It is quite evident that waterjet technology is the best way for cutting titanium. The cut quality of the process can be improved further by incorporating the following tips:

  • It is recommended to cut titanium underwater as the water dampens most of the noise generated in the process. Cutting aluminum or titanium underwater keeps the work environment quieter and more comfortable.
  • Adjust the cutting head nozzle and water pressure based on the thickness and type of titanium cut using the water jet. These values are generally provided by the manufacturer of the machine.
  • Prefer using curved edges in the design instead of sharp corners when you cut titanium. Curves speed up the productivity of the process and make the hardened edge smoother to the touch.

How to Choose a Water Jet Titanium Cutter?

Titanium can be a difficult metal to cut but the right water jet machine can make the job quite easy. Here are some tips to choose the right machine:

  • Pump Pressure: High-pressure water is the core of the waterjet cutting. Therefore, choose a pump with a pressure that is enough to handle your requirements.
  • Axis: The number of axes in the machine will determine the complexity of the part that can be cut. Higher-axis machines increase the price significantly, so choose the right axis after examination of the parts that require cutting.
  • Features: Additional features such as underwater cutting and software operation come in handy for better operation.
  • Build Quality: Metals like steel and aluminum require a cutter with extra attention to the build quality or they can break down frequently.

Best Abrasive Waterjet Cutting Machine for Titanium

Techni CNC waterjet machines are often regarded as the leaders for cutting titanium, steel, aluminum, plastics, glass, or any other materials. These machines are used in all types of industries regardless of the scale and size of the production.

Techni Waterjet pays extra attention to the build quality to create rugged machines that ensure a smooth operation without breakdowns. There is a prompt spare part availability whenever required, along with complimentary software that has all the common cut shapes preloaded in the system.

Conclusion

In the last few decades, waterjet cutting services have replaced every other method in every manufacturing industry. Titanium cut with a waterjet has an edge quality and accuracy that is second to none. Additionally, the countless benefits of waterjet make it highly preferable over any other cutting alternatives.

Therefore, if you are wondering whether to use a waterjet to cut titanium, it is actually the best option out there. To know about the best machines for the job, get in touch with Techni Waterjet.

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]]> The Benefits of Cutting Acrylic with a TechniWaterjet Cutter https://www.techniwaterjet.com/waterjet-acrylic-cutting/ Mon, 31 Oct 2022 13:01:43 +0000 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/?p=19807 Acrylic materials find a lot of applications in areas that require sturdy materials with excellent aesthetics for projects such as signage. The high strength that makes acrylic materials useful is also the reason they need a high-quality cutting process. Which cutting process is the most popular? Waterjet cutting acrylic has become the go-to choice in […]

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]]> Acrylic materials find a lot of applications in areas that require sturdy materials with excellent aesthetics for projects such as signage. The high strength that makes acrylic materials useful is also the reason they need a high-quality cutting process. Which cutting process is the most popular? Waterjet cutting acrylic has become the go-to choice in this regard.

Even so, many professionals often inquire about the benefits of waterjet cutting acrylic against other alternative processes. This article will explore the technology behind waterjet cutting acrylic in detail, its benefits, and some tips to improve cuts.

Can You Cut Acrylic With a Water Jet Cutter?

Yes. Waterjet cutting can easily create clean and smooth cuts in acrylic material. Abrasive waterjet cutting uses a high-pressure stream of water mixed with garnet or other abrasive particles before being released through a precision cutting nozzle. Waterjet cutters can even cut through multiple acrylic sheets stacked on top of each other up to 12 inches thick.

What are the Benefits of Cutting Acrylic With Waterjet Cutting?

Here are some of the advantages that apply to waterjet cutting acrylic and many other plastic materials:

No Heat-Affected Zones

When waterjet cutting acrylic, there is no formation of heat-affected zones. Water jet cutting is a cold-cutting process and doesn’t generate heat in the subject material. Therefore, there is no temperature rise, resulting in a clean cut without burn marks on the acrylic material.

Efficient & Cost Effective

Abrasive waterjet cutting acrylic is very cost-effective. It can even handle cutting through multiple acrylic sheets stacked on top of each other, speeding up productivity significantly. This stacking technique isn’t possible with other alternatives like laser cutting. It makes waterjet cutting the most efficient cutting method available.

Precise & intricate designs

A waterjet machine has options such as 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis cutting heads. Higher-axis machines can cut the most intricate and complex designs in 3D. In fact, it is possible to produce entire acrylic parts or for signage or medical purposes with a waterjet cutter without any second machining requirements.

Highly accurate cutting with minimal tolerances

The high level of precision is because waterjet cutting does not produce any thermal damage, unlike laser or plasma methods. As a result, tolerances can be as low as 0.001 inches or less.

High Safety

A water jet does not create any heat while cutting. It generates no toxic fumes – something normal when plastics come in contact with heat – as in many traditional cutting methods. Additionally, there is no requirement for the operator to handle the cutting head manually, as it’s driven by CNC. This makes waterjet cutting a very safe method.

Versatile

An abrasive waterjet stream can cut through many different materials besides acrylics. These materials include thick rubber, plastics, glass, metals, wood, and paper. Therefore, when a waterjet cutter is not doing acrylic cutting, it can also be used for many other purposes. For soft materials like rubber and paper – cuts made by a pure water jet are adequate. A pure waterjet doesn’t need any abrasive added to the water stream.

Minimal material wastage

The waterjet cutting process is a cold-cutting process, so there is no heat-affected zone or HAZ on the edges of the material. This means that any scrap can be recycled and reused again in other applications. As a result, it significantly reduces overall material wastage compared to other traditional cutting methods.

A cold-cutting process with no hazardous fumes and waste

Most traditional cutting methods generate hazardous fumes and waste, which can be dangerous in some environments. Waterjet cutting is a cold-cutting process that produces no hazardous fumes or waste. As such, it is ideal for use in cleanroom environments and food processing areas, where safety is paramount.

Environment-friendly

As mentioned earlier, the water jet doesn’t release toxic fumes during acrylic cutting. Additionally, the water gets recycled into the system. Therefore, waterjet cutting acrylic is one of the most environmentally friendly methods.

Applications of Waterjet Acrylic Cutting

There are many use cases for waterjet cutting of acrylic materials. Different types of acrylic sheets are used in industries like marketing, hospitality, interior decoration, architecture, art and craft, automotive, and more.

Here are some of these use cases:

  • Shelves and contours
  • Skylights
  • Signage, display, logos
  • LED panels
  • Architectural glazing
  • Displays
  • Automotive taillights
  • Medical devices

Tips for Cutting Acrylic With a Water Jet Cutter

It is clear from the advantages mentioned above that a waterjet is the best method for acrylic cutting. Here are some tips that you can use to get the best results from this method:

Underwater Cutting

Cutting acrylic sheets can make a loud noise in the workplace. However, the development of submerged waterjet cutting as an option helps keep noise to a minimum. How does it achieve this? The cutting table holding the acrylic sheets is submerged in water. Therefore, the water-jet machine doesn’t create any noise during cutting.

Stacking

For a project that requires consistent shapes cut from acrylic sheets, the stacking method is the best way to achieve maximum efficiency. Place multiple acrylic sheets on top of each other with a total thickness of about 12 inches, and cut them simultaneously with one waterjet machine.

Optimizing Design

The speed of waterjet cutting can be increased by optimizing certain design elements. For instance, sharp corners can take longer to cut, so replace them with curved corners and edges to save time. Doing this speeds up cutting and creates smooth and aesthetically pleasing corners.

How to Choose the Right Waterjet Acrylic Cutter?

When deciding which waterjet acrylic cutting machine to buy, make your choice by focusing on the factors below:

  • Machine Axes: There is the option to choose the number of axes you want in your waterjet cutter. A machine with more cutting axes can cut complex shapes but also costs more.
  • Build Quality: Some people make the mistake of going for an inferior product just to save a few bucks. However, since waterjet cutters are heavy industrial equipment, their breakdown can lead to extended downtime resulting in significant losses. Therefore, it’s best to invest in a high-quality machine with good spare part availability.
  • Budget: Waterjet cutters have a wide price range. Set a budget so you can narrow down the selection of machines and features that are feasible. Certain desirable features, like underwater cutting, will increase what you need to spend.

Best Waterjet Cutter For Acrylic Cutting

Techni Waterjet machines are the best solution for acrylic cutting based on the factors mentioned. Our waterjet machines are made with the highest quality build, suitable for cutting acrylics, plastics, rubber, glass, metals, and many different materials. Additionally, being a reputable company, spare parts are available at short notice whenever required.

Conclusion

Due to the many advantages of a waterjet, it’s undoubtedly the best way to cut acrylics and many other materials. Professionals already realize this fact and use waterjet cutting as the go-to method to produce different shapes from acrylic sheets.

To get the most out of a waterjet machine to cut acrylic, apply the tips and information provided above. Additionally, using a high-quality machine such as those supplied by Techni Waterjet will bring more advantages. Contact us at Techni Waterjet to find the best machine for your requirements.

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]]> Waterjet Cutting Foam https://www.techniwaterjet.com/waterjet-foam-cutting/ Wed, 05 Oct 2022 06:22:00 +0000 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/?p=19677 There are numerous options to cut foam since it is a very soft material. However, its soft and delicate nature can be a challenge, as many cutting processes often lead to the burning of foam. A waterjet machine turns out to be the most applicable foam-cutting process. Waterjet cutters are simple and easy to use […]

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]]> There are numerous options to cut foam since it is a very soft material. However, its soft and delicate nature can be a challenge, as many cutting processes often lead to the burning of foam.

A waterjet machine turns out to be the most applicable foam-cutting process. Waterjet cutters are simple and easy to use and have replaced traditional methods such as physical blade cutting or die cutting.

In this article, we will discuss waterjet cutting foam, its benefits, and its applications. You will also learn how to choose waterjet cutting foam equipment for optimal results.

Can You Cut Foam With a Waterjet Cutter?

Yes, it is possible and easy to cut foam with a waterjet cutter. Hard materials like metals, composites, plastics, and alloys usually require the addition of an abrasive in the high-pressure water jet stream to achieve optimal cutting. However, most foam products are soft materials and do not require abrasive waterjet cutting. Any foam thickness can be cut using a pure waterjet cutter.

Here are some of the different types of foam that you can cut with the water jet cutting foam process:

  • Charcoal foam
  • Closed cell foam
  • Dry fast foam
  • Ethafoam
  • High-density foam
  • High resilience foam
  • Rebond foam
  • Memory foam
  • Polyurethane foam
  • Latex Foam
  • Lux Foam
  • Ether foam
  • Scrubber foams

What are the Benefits of Using Waterjet Foam Cutting?

There are many advantages of using waterjet foam cutting technology. Some of these include:

Cold Cutting Process

Waterjet cutting is a cold-cutting process unlike any other method used to cut foam items. There are no heat-affected zones in waterjet cutting foam, so the foam does not suffer any burn marks or other irregularities. On the other hand, physical blade cutters generate heat which causes the foam to get burn marks, along with other heat-related effects such as the release of toxic fumes.

No Maximum Thickness

Another major advantage to waterjet foam cutting is that there is no limit to the thickness of foam that you can cut with it. Typically, a pure waterjet can cut through 18-inch-thick foam with ease and an even greater variety of foam thicknesses with increased cutting time. This is more than sufficient for any foam-cutting application.

Cost Saving

Regardless of the density of foam items, there is no requirement to add abrasive in the water jet. The main cost in the waterjet cutting process is that of the abrasive material. Due to the absence of abrasive, waterjet foam cutting is cheap when you compare it to other alternatives.

Stacking

When waterjet cutting foam, it is possible to stack multiple layers of foam on top of each other and cut them simultaneously. This leads to significantly faster production and reduced costs. Additionally, all the cutouts are highly consistent and identical to each other, increasing product quality.

High Precision

Waterjet cutting is one of the most precise cutting methods out there. The cutting head tolerances (deviation from the ideal cut) in waterjet cutting are low, leading to highly accurate cutting. This is quite beneficial since the cut foam can be used in secondary applications without any further modifications to its size.

High Quality

Waterjet cutting foam produces a very smooth edge quality because of the extreme force of the ultra-high-pressure water. The smooth edge eliminates any need for additional processing to enhance its finish. This leads to further cost savings.

Dust Free Cutting

The removal of material during cutting generates material dust, which is detrimental to the workspace. However, in waterjet cutting foam, the foam dust gets carried away in the water jet. This feature is not present in any other foam-cutting process.

Environment-Friendly Process

The water jet cutting foam process is green and environmentally friendly. No toxic gases or hazardous waste are released in the process, and there is no heat buildup. It just uses water, which is recycled and used again for the next operation.

Applications of Water Jet Cutting of Foam

There are many areas where a water jet’s foam-cutting capabilities are applied to cut a variety of materials. Some of these are:

  • Insulators: Multiple foam layers can be cut to produce insulating materials used in electricity generation and propagation.
  • Upholstery: It is common to see foam materials in furniture cushioning for couches and chairs.
  • Toys: The foam manufacturing process for toys uses waterjet cutting to maintain high-grade quality.
  • Pillows: Foam pieces for pillows are produced by a water jet cutting through various thicknesses and densities of foam sheets.
  • Shoes: Foam inserts are used for shoe padding that provides comfort to the feet.

How to Choose a Water Jet Cutter for Cutting Foam?

While cutting foam with water jets is easy, there are still some things to consider before purchasing a water jet cutter. Water jet cutters are a significant investment, so you don’t want to make a poor choice that leads to production downtime.

Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing a water jet cutter:

Pump Pressure: If you only intend to use the machine for water jet foam cutting fabrications, you don’t need high water pressure cutting machines. A moderate-pressure pump will be enough for foam water jet cutting. This will save a lot on costs because the equipment price depends mainly on the pump capacity.

Build Quality: Many users fall into the trap of buying a cheap waterjet machine that has compromised build quality. A poor-quality machine might break down soon into operations, leading to significant repair costs and lost production time. Therefore, spending slightly more on a higher build quality machine is the best way to avoid such problems.

Spare Part Availability: Choose a brand that can provide spare parts for their machines whenever required. If opting for an unknown overseas brand, you should be ready to wait for weeks and even months till the spare parts reach you. The best way to avoid this issue is to invest in a brand that guarantees spare part availability.

Features: Water-cutting foam does not require any abrasive. So when choosing the machine, focus on relevant features that you will need and ignore the irrelevant abrasive-related features. Some important things to focus on are the software that comes with the machine and the ability to customize cut shapes.

Recommended Water Jet Foam Cutting Machine

Techni Waterjet cutters are superior foam cutting machines when you evaluate them on all the parameters that matter. It is a reputed brand and provides high-build quality machines to many different manufacturing sectors.

Whether you want to cut foam or hard metal, these machines can take everything you throw at them. They come with complimentary software that has a lot of preloaded cut shapes. There is also the ability to customize the cutting shape as required. Additionally, spare parts are readily available and shipped to your doorstep whenever you need them.

Conclusion

Using a waterjet is the best method for cutting anything foam related, from small pieces of foam to very thick sheets, from polyester foam to polyurethane foam, and everything else. A Techni Waterjet cutter will do the job for you.

To get the best results, make an informed decision during the machine-buying process. Operating a waterjet cutter is easy, and these machines will last you for a lifetime. You will get excellent results by investing in quality instead of spending on unnecessary features.

The post Waterjet Cutting Foam appeared first on TechniWaterjet.

]]> Waterjet Cutting Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber https://www.techniwaterjet.com/waterjet-fiberglass-cutting/ Wed, 05 Oct 2022 06:20:10 +0000 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/?p=19675 Composites such as fiberglass are nothing short of miracle materials. Its physical strength is on another level. This high strength is why fiberglass has found so many applications, replacing a wide range of materials. However, this high strength also poses a challenge for manufacturers and fabricators. Professionals in the industry often wonder about the best […]

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]]> Composites such as fiberglass are nothing short of miracle materials. Its physical strength is on another level. This high strength is why fiberglass has found so many applications, replacing a wide range of materials.

However, this high strength also poses a challenge for manufacturers and fabricators. Professionals in the industry often wonder about the best method to cut materials such as fiberglass. Its physical characteristics (strength and hardness) render ordinary cutting methods unfeasible.

As a result, waterjet cutting has become the most sought-after option for cutting fiberglass and similar material. In this article, we will investigate waterjet cutting fiberglass in detail.

Can You Cut Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass With a Waterjet Cutter?

Yes, an abrasive water jet cutter can cut any type of material, soft or hard. The wide range of materials that can be cut by waterjet include:

  • Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP)
  • Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GRP or GFRP)
  • Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP or CRP)
  • Carbon Fiber Reinforced Carbon (C/C)
  • Composite Foams
  • Composite Papers
  • Metal Matrix Composites
  • Ceramic Matrix Composites
  • Any type of carbon fiber

It is important to note that these are only a few examples of what waterjet cutting is capable of. If you have any other composite material that requires cutting, a waterjet cutter can process it without hassle.

What are the Benefits of Using a Water Jet to Cut Composites Like Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber?

Many benefits make water jet cutting the best choice for cutting materials like fiberglass and tough carbon fibers. Some of these factors are:

High-Quality Parts

Waterjet cutting is highly accurate, leading to high-quality parts. Precision machining by water jet cutter also allows parts to be used without needing any secondary finishing, as there is a smoother finish with a water jet.

Other cutting alternatives can often cause delamination of carbon fiber and create rough surface edges. This does not happen with waterjet cutting.

No Heat-Affected Zones

When cutting hard materials, most cutting tools generate a lot of heat that can ruin the material near the cut location. These hot zones can degrade material integrity and its visual appearance.

However, high-pressure water jet cutting is a cold-cutting process. Therefore, no heat-affected zones are created. The jet of water is itself heat dissipating in nature.

Dust Free Cutting

Cutting carbon fiber materials with blade cutters or other cutting tools generates carbon dust in the environment. This dust is harmful to health and also hinders operation. However, waterjet cutting includes dust containment, as all the dust generated is dissolved and washed away as the jet of water cuts through the material. Therefore, the environment is entirely dust-free.

Workforce Safety

Most composite cutting tools bring safety concerns, such as the risk of potential injury to the workforce. However, waterjet cutting ensures complete workforce safety. Additionally, the cutter is controlled by a CNC machine, and the operator doesn’t have to physically handle the cutting head. This means that there is not even the slightest possibility of injury.

Environment Friendly

Pressurized water jet cutting is a green process. There is no emission of toxic fumes or harmful waste substances. Even the carbon fiber dust generated as a waste material can be strained and used as an abrasive for abrasive waterjet cutting. Additionally, the water itself can be recycled back into the system.

Versatile Shapes and Thicknesses

Waterjet cutting can create a wide range of cut shapes, from simple two-dimensional cuts to intricate and complex 3D cuts. There are multi-axis water-jet-cutting machines available for this purpose. Additionally, it supports any thickness of composite material sheets.

Production Rate

The water-jet-cutting process has fast production rates. When cutting consistent shapes, multiple sheets of composite materials can be stacked on top of each other and cut simultaneously. This stacking process scales up the production speed exponentially.

Cost Saving

Water jet cutting is one of the most cost-saving cutting methods for fiberglass. It offers low tooling costs (the water is recycled), high production rates, and no material wastage due to the absence of heat-affected zones. Additionally, stacking multiple carbon fiber layers provides another advantage in saving costs.

Material Saving

Waterjet cutting has minimal kerfs, which means that negligible material is removed during the cutting process. Additionally, since there are no heat-related effects and accuracy is high, the defect rejection rate is low. This makes waterjet cutting the best material-saving cutting option.

Applications of Waterjet Cutting of Composites

There are many applications of water jet stream cutting, such as:

  • Insulators: Composite materials are used to make insulators for power generation and distribution. These insulators are often cut using a waterjet cutting machine.
  • Communication Enclosures: Composite sheets form communication enclosures to provide a single contact point for all communication terminals and protect them from harsh natural elements.
  • Aerospace: The aerospace industry requires various composite materials for parts, such as thermal heat insulation. These have extreme hardness and are cut using a waterjet cutter for ultra-high precision.
  • Signage: Water jet cutting is ideal for PVC acrylic composites to create various forms of signage.
  • Heat Sink: Heat sinks for electronics and industrial equipment are produced using a waterjet cutter.
  • Heat Transfer: Heat transfer solutions made of silicone and neoprene laminates are processed with a waterjet cutting solution.
  • Automobiles: Fiberglass is an integral part of automobile body kits and components. It is present in multiple locations in each and every car.
  • Sports Gear: Waterjet-cut carbon panels are used to make a variety of sports gear, such as tennis racquets, archery bows, and golf clubs.

How to Choose a Water Jet Cutter for Composites?

When deciding on a water jet-cutting machine, it is important to evaluate the decision based on the following factors:

  • Pump Pressure: The water pressure of the water tank will play a key role in the cost of the water jet cutting machine. Hard materials like strong carbon fibers require a high water pressure, so choose the particular machine based on the type of materials you want to cut and their thickness.
  • Build Quality: The build quality of the equipment is very important to consider because waterjet cutting machines are a significant investment. It is better to spend slightly more on superior build quality than to compromise in this regard. Even a minor breakdown of parts like a vacuum assist valve can cause significant downtime, so focus on getting high-quality machines.
  • Features: There is a wide range of features that you can get with a waterjet cutter, such as underwater cutting and software control. Many of these features are indispensable, providing a better cutting experience and higher cut quality and saving costs in the long run.

Best Waterjet Cutting Machine For Composites

Based on all the factors that matter, Techni Waterjet CNC cutting machines are the best tools for cutting composites or any other materials. These machines are designed with industry-leading build quality, and spare parts are readily available whenever required.

All these machines come with a complete warranty and software. The software itself has many cutting shapes preloaded, so the operator can use them with the click of a button. There is also the option to add as many customized cut shapes as required. There are also many other features, such as underwater cutting for minimal noise in the workspace.

Final Thoughts

Composites are the supreme materials of this age, replacing older materials including plastics and glass. The strength of these materials surpasses metals in certain cases. The hardness and thickness of such materials are the reasons why waterjet cutting has become the go-to choice for cutting composite materials.

The lack of thermal damage along with many other benefits makes waterjet cutting unbeatable and preferable over other cutting alternatives. So incorporate waterjet cutting into your manufacturing facility or workshop, and you’ll be amazed by the results!

To learn more about waterjet cutting and find out which particular machine will suit your needs the best, get in touch with Techni Waterjet today.

Composites such as fiberglass are nothing short of miracle materials. While visually fiberglass appears similar to ordinary glass, the physical strength of the composite is just on another level. This high strength is the reason that fiberglass has found so many applications, replacing the ordinary glass.

However, this high strength also poses a challenge for manufacturers and fabricators. Professionals in the industry often wonder about what is the best method to cut composites such as fiberglass. The physical characteristics (such as strength and hardness) of composites render ordinary cutting methods unfeasible.

Waterjet cutting has turned out to be the most sought-after option for fiberglass cutting and cutting other composites. In this article, we will investigate waterjet cutting fiberglass in detail.

Can You Cut Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass With a Waterjet Cutter?

Yes, you can easily cut carbon fiber and fiberglass with abrasive water jet cutter. In fact, waterjet cutting can be used to cut any type of composite, from the softest to the hardest materials. The wide range of composites that are cut by waterjet cutting include:

  • Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP)
  • Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GRP or GFRP)
  • Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP or CRP)
  • Carbon Fiber Reinforced Carbon (C/C)
  • Composite Foams
  • Composite Papers
  • Metal Matrix Composites
  • Ceramic Matrix Composites
  • Any types of carbon fiber

It is important to note that these composites are only a few examples of what waterjet cutting is capable of. If you have any other composite material that requires cutting, a waterjet cutter can process it without a doubt.

What are the Benefits of Using Water Jet to Cut Composites Like Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber?

There are many factors that make water jet cutting the best way to cut composites like fiberglass and tough carbon fibers. Some of these factors are:

High-Quality Parts

Waterjet cutting has a very high accuracy leading to high-quality parts. The precision machining by water jet cutter also allows parts to be used as is in the application. Additionally, there is no requirement for any secondary finishing processes as there is a smoother finish with water jet.

Other cutting alternatives can often cause delamination of carbon fiber as well as rough surface edges, which does not happen in waterjet cutting.

No Heat Affected Zones

When cutting hard materials like composites, most cutting tools generate a lot of heat that can ruin the material near the cut location. These zones not only deteriorate material integrity but also its visual appearance.

However, high-pressure water jet cutting is a cold-cutting process. Therefore, no heat is developed leading to the elimination of any heat-affected zones. The jet of water is itself heat dissipating in nature.

Dust Free Cutting

Cutting composites with blade cutters or other cutting tools generate carbon dust in the environment. This dust is harmful to health and also hinders operation. However, in waterjet cutting, all the dust generated gets dissolved and washed away as the jet of water cuts leading to complete dust containment. Therefore, the environment is entirely dust-free.

Workforce Safety

Most composite cutting tools bring safety concerns such as injury to the workforce. However, waterjet cutting ensures complete workforce safety. Additionally, the cutter itself is controlled by the CNC mechanism and the operator doesn’t have to physically handle the cutting head at all. This means that there is not even the slightest possibility of injury.

Environment Friendly

Pressurized water jet cutting is a green process. There is no emission of toxic fumes or harmful waste substances. Even the carbon fiber dust generated as a waste material can be strained and used as an abrasive for abrasive waterjet cutting. Additionally, the water itself can be recycled back into the system.

Versatile Shapes and Thickness

Waterjet cutting can create a wide range of cut shapes, from simple two-dimensional cuts to intricate and complex 3D cuts. There are multi-axis water jet cutting machines available for this purpose. Additionally, it supports any thickness of composite material sheets.

Production Rate

Water jet cutting process has very fast production rates. When cutting consistent shapes, multiple sheets of composite materials can be stacked on top of each other and cut simultaneously. This process is called stacking and it scales up the production speed exponentially.

Cost Saving

Water jet cutting process is one of the most cost-saving composites and fiberglass cutting methods out there. This is because of multiple factors such as low tooling cost (water itself is recycled), high production rate, and no material wastage due to the elimination of heat-affected zones. Additionally, stacking multiple carbon fiber layers provides another major advantage in saving costs further.

Material Saving

Waterjet cutting has minimal kerfs, which means that negligible material is removed due to the cutting process. Additionally, since there are no heat-related effects and accuracy is high, there are no pieces rejected due to defects. This makes waterjet cutting the best material-saving option out there.

Applications of Waterjet Cutting of Composites

There are many application of water jet stream cutting of composites uch as:

  • Insulators: Composite materials are used to make insulators for power generation and distribution. These composites are cut using a waterjet cutting machine.
  • Communication Enclosures: Waterjet cut composite sheets are turned into communication enclosures to provide a single contact point for all communication terminals and protect them from harsh natural elements.
  • Aerospace: The aerospace industry requires a variety of composite materials for parts such as thermal heat insulation. These have extreme hardness and are cut using a waterjet cutter for ultra-high precision.
  • Signage: Water jet cutting is applied on PVC acrylic composites to create various forms of signage.
  • Heat Sink: Heat sinks for electronics and industrial equipment are designed using a waterjet cutter.
  • Heat Transfer: Heat transfer solutions made of silicone and neoprene laminates are processed with a waterjet cutting solution.
  • Automobile: Fiberglass is an integral part of automobile body kits and components. It is present in multiple locations in each and every car.
  • Sports Gear: Waterjet cut Carbon panels are used to make a variety of sports gear such as tennis racquets, archery bows, and golf clubs.

How to Choose a Water Jet Cutter for Composites?

When deciding on a water jet cutting machine for composites, it is important to evaluate the decision based on the following factors:

  • Pump Pressure: The water pressure of the water tank will play a major role in the cost of the water jet cutting machine. Hard materials like strong carbon fibers require a high water pressure, so choose the particular machine based on the type of composites you want to cut and their material thickness.
  • Build Quality: The build quality of the equipment is very important to consider because waterjet cutting machines are a big investment. It is better to spend a bit more on build quality than to compromise in this regard. Even a minor breakdown of parts like a vacuum assist valve can cause significant downtimes, so focus on getting high-quality machines.
  • Features: There is a wide range of features that you can get with a waterjet cutter, such as underwater cutting and software control. Many of these features are indispensable and end up saving costs in the long run, in addition to a better cutting experience and higher cut quality.

Best Waterjet Cutting Machine For Composites

Based on all the factors that matter, Techni Waterjet CNC cutting machines are the best tools for cutting composites or any other materials. These machines are designed keeping build quality in mind, with readily available spares whenever required.

All these machines come with a complete warranty and complimentary software. The software itself has many cutting shapes preloaded, so the operator can use them with the click of a button. There is also the option to add as many customized cut shapes as required. There are also many other features, such as underwater cutting for minimal noise in the workspace.

Endnotes

Composites are the supreme materials of this age, replacing older materials including plastics and glass. The strength of these materials is even at par with metals in certain cases. The high hardness and thickness are few of the reasons why waterjet cutting has become to go-to choice for processing composite materials.

The lack of thermal damage along with many other benefits makes waterjet cutting unbeatable and preferable over other cutting alternatives. Therefore, if you were wondering whether or not to incorporate waterjet cutting into your manufacturing facility or workshop, there shouldn’t be any more confusion.

To learn more about waterjet cutting and find out which particular machine will suit your needs the best, get in touch with Techni Waterjet today!

The post Waterjet Cutting Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber appeared first on TechniWaterjet.

]]> Water Jet Cutting Rubber https://www.techniwaterjet.com/waterjet-rubber-cutting/ Wed, 05 Oct 2022 06:17:24 +0000 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/?p=19673 The post Water Jet Cutting Rubber appeared first on TechniWaterjet.

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Cutting rubber sheets in industries is quite challenging due to the physical properties of rubber and the high quantity and thickness of rubber sheets in industrial settings. The challenges in rubber cutting and the drawbacks of blade cutters led manufacturers to search for an alternative rubber-cutting process.

Waterjet cutting is one of the best cutting alternatives to conventional cutting processes, finding involvement in rubber cutting for more than half a century now. In fact, this is the technology of choice for all rubber processing companies, from small-scale manufacturers to large-scale plants.

In this article, we will discuss the water jet cutting process for rubber, its benefits, applications, and other useful information.

Can You Cut Rubber With a Water Jet Cutter?

Yes, it is possible (and very easy) to cut rubber with a water jet cutter. In fact, the capabilities of the waterjet cutter of rubber outdo any other method like die cutting, whether in terms of rubber sheet thickness or cutting accuracy. Additionally, waterjet cutting is not limited to pure rubber but also applies to rubber-backed metals, among dozens of other materials.

Some of the common rubbers that you can cut with a water jet cutter are:

  • Natural rubber (NR)
  • AFLAS rubber (TFE/P)
  • SCE-42 Sponge
  • Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA)
  • Butyl rubber (IIR)
  • Polyurethane (AU)
  • Chloroprene rubber (Neoprene)
  • Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
  • EPDM rubber
  • Cloth-inserted rubber
  • Fabric reinforced rubber
  • Epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO)
  • Fluoroelastomers (fluorocarbon-based synthetic rubbers)
  • Fluorosilicone rubber
  • Hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR)
  • Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
  • Vulcanized rubber
  • Chlorosulphonated polyethylene (CSM)
  • Kalrez rubber
  • Polyacrylic rubber (ACM)
  • Rubber backed Metals
  • FDA-certified rubber material

What are the Benefits of Using a Water Jet to Cut Rubber?

There are many advantages that waterjet cutting provides over other cutting technologies. Some of these advantages are:

No Heat Affected Zone

Cutting rubber through any other cutting technologies such as laser cutting process or blade cutting leads to the creation of a heat-affected zone (HAZ). HAZ leads to the melting of rubber in the area and can spoil the entire sheet. However, waterjet cutting is a cold cutting process so there are no heat-affected zones and no melting.

No Toxic Fumes

When rubber is subjected to high temperatures, it releases toxic fumes that are unhealthy for the human workforce. However, since waterjet cutting does not lead to any temperature rise in the raw material, there is no emission of toxic fumes.

Cutting Thicker Materials and Stacking

With waterjet cutting, there is no maximum limit to the thickness of rubber sheets that you can cut. In fact, to multiply the production rate, you can stack multiple sheets of rubber materials on top of each other (up to 8 inches) and cut them simultaneously with waterjet cutting. This process is called stacking. It will significantly save production time for manufacturers.

Environment Friendly

Water jet cutting of soft materials like rubber does not require any abrasive. The water used in the process can be strained and recycled back into the system. This makes the water jet cutting process a very environment-friendly technology. Not to forget, there are no heating effects and no toxic fumes too.

Cost-Effective and Efficient

Waterjet cutting is a cost-saving method due to a number of involved factors. Firstly, the cutting tool is water itself which is cheap and recycled into the system. Secondly, the waterjet cutting process is automated so no human workforce is required. Thirdly, by using stacking you can produce parts up to ten times faster, leading to higher production.

High Precision

Even with the low operating cost and faster production, waterjet cutting does not compromise on precision and accuracy. Waterjet cutting has one of the lowest tolerances among any cutting process, leading to very high accuracy. Furthermore, it allows the manufacturing of even the most intricate designs.

Versatile Shapes

Waterjet cutting has no limitations when it comes to cutting shapes. If a shape is imaginable, it is possible to cut it using a water jet cutting machine. High-quality waterjet cutting equipment like the Techni Waterjet cutters come with software that has common cut shapes preloaded. To make any shape, the operator only has to select the option in the software. Even small parts like rubber gaskets can be made with ease using a water jet.

Minimal Material Wastage

Waterjet cutting has a very low kerf and removes minimal material during the cutting process, unlike other cutting technologies. This leads to the least material wastage. In other cutting methods like die cutting, the material wastage is astonishingly higher.

Flawless Edge Quality

Due to the ultra high pressure water, the cut edge is very smooth. The high edge quality eliminates the need for any secondary finishing processes on the rubber part. This saves time as well as costs in manufacturing.

Safe Technology

The water jet cutting process is one of the safest cutting technologies out there. This is because the operator does not have to physically control the cutting tool. Additionally, there are no toxic fumes. This is why water jet cutting is the go-to choice for professionals focussed on safety.

Applications of Water Jet Cutting of Rubber

Water jet cutting of rubber finds applications in a number of industries such as automobiles, office products, agricultural equipment, recreational equipment, aerospace, military, and more. Waterjet cutting is utilized not only for production scale but also for rapid prototyping and custom made solutions (for instance, water jet cut gaskets).

Some of the common parts manufactured using water jet cutting are:

  • Tires
  • Pipes
  • Airbags
  • Rubber balls
  • Ductile materials
  • Toys
  • Nozzle sprayers
  • Hoses
  • Seals
  • Waterjet cut gaskets
  • Insulation
  • Custom sealing solutions

How to Choose a Water Jet Rubber Cutter?

Once you are set on using a water jet cutting machine for your workshops, there are many options to choose from. When cutting soft materials like rubber, the choice should depend on the following factors:

  • Budget: Water jet cutting equipment is a major investment. Therefore, the first step should be to have a vague outline of the budget you can spend on the cutter. These machines have a wide price range, so having a budget will help shorten the available options.
  • Pump Pressure: Waterjet cutting relies on pressurized water created by a high-pressure water pump. While hard and thicker materials like metal alloys require ultra-high pressure water and abrasive, there are no such requirements for soft materials like rubber. Choosing a moderate water pressure pump will suffice for rubber materials and save costs significantly.
  • Build Quality: Build quality is an important parameter for heavy-duty equipment like a waterjet cutting machine. Compromising in build quality can pile up costs later in terms of maintenance and downtimes.
  • Software Compatibility: The best thing about waterjet cutting is that it is a CNC cutting process having the possibility of automated software control. Therefore, the machine you choose should come with software that has ease of use and preloaded cut shapes.

Best Water Jet Cutting Equipment for Rubber Materials

Techni CNC Waterjet cutting machines are often considered to be the best by industry experts. These machines are used by numerous small to large-scale manufacturers globally.

These waterjet cutters have a high build quality and availability of spare parts whenever required. This means that your manufacturing facility will not suffer any downtimes whatsoever. Additional tooling costs are minimal, and software support for the machines is provided complimentary along with many preloaded shapes.

i35 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i35-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		1700 x 2600 x 2050 mm
67" x 102.3" x 80.7"
Cutting Area915 x 1525 mm
36" x 60"
Machine TypeCantilever
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		0.1 mm - 0.004"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i510 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i612-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		4900 x 2650 x 2050 mm
193” x 104.3” x 80.7”
Cutting Area1830 x 3660 mm
72" x 144"
Machine TypeCantilever
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Water Cutting Machine Width - TECHNI Waterjet

i713-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		5800 x 3100 x 2100 mm
228" x 122" x 82.7"
Cutting Area2000 x 4000 mm
78.7" x 157.5"
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Water Cutting Machine Width - TECHNI Waterjet

i1020-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		8000 x 4200 x 2000 mm
315" x 165.3" x 78.7"
Cutting Area3050 x 6100 mm
120" x 240"
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i510 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i510-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		4200 x 2350 x 2050 mm
165” x 92” x 80.7”
Cutting Area 1525 x 3050 mm
60" x 120"
Machine TypeCantilever
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.12 mm - 0.005"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i613 Mini - TECHNI Waterjet

i613-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		5200 x 2700 x 2300 mm
205” x 106” x 91”
Cutting Area1700 x 3700 mm
66.9” x 145.7”
Machine TypeMonoblock
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness130 mm - 5"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Water Cutting Machine Width - TECHNI Waterjet

i815-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		6580 x 3500 x 2100 mm
269.7” x 137.8” x 82.7”
Cutting Area2350 x 4750 mm
92.5” x 187”
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i1033 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i1033-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		12800 x 5400 x 2200 mm
503.9” x 212.6” x 86.6”
Cutting Area10000 x 3000 mm
393.7” x 118.1”
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		± 0.1 mm - 0.004”
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Conclusion

Considering all its advantages and environment friendly nature, waterjet cutting is the best cutting methods out there. This holds true for thin materials, thick materials, soft materials, and hard materials (virtually any material). When cutting materials like rubber, water jet cutting is not only precise, but also very cheap due to the lack of abrasives.

If you make a decision keeping all the important factors in your checklist, waterjet cutting can be a great addon to your workshop. Many manufacturers have already replaced die cutting machines with waterjet cutters.

Therefore, if wondering about whether or not you should use a waterjet cutter in your facility, go ahead with Techni Waterjet without any second thoughts.

The post Water Jet Cutting Rubber appeared first on TechniWaterjet.

]]> Waterjet Cutting Paper – Choose the Best Machine https://www.techniwaterjet.com/waterjet-paper-cutting/ Mon, 05 Sep 2022 22:51:49 +0000 https://www.techniwaterjet.com/?p=19611 The post Waterjet Cutting Paper – Choose the Best Machine appeared first on TechniWaterjet.

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Cutting paper might seem like an easy job. However, when we consider the requirements of cutting paper on an industrial scale, like in paper mills, the requirements change significantly.

The strength of paper increases when hundreds of stacked sheets are in a paper machine for cutting. Additionally, some types, such as packaging grades of paper, are tougher than simple writing paper.

Therefore, a specialist paper-cutting machine is needed for precisely cutting multiple sheets or thick bundles of paper. Water jet cutting has become the go-to choice for this purpose. This article will discuss the applications of a water jet to cut paper, the benefits, and tips to improve the cut quality.

Can You Cut Paper With a Water Jet Cutter?

Yes, it is possible to cut paper with a waterjet cutter. In fact, when it comes to cutting paper-based materials, water jet cutting is often better than traditional cutting methods. This is because water jet cutting is not limited by the thickness of the paper. The technology also has several other benefits.

Some people might be skeptical, thinking that water jet cutting is a wet process and will damage the paper during cutting. However, using waterjet cutting technology to cut paper-based materials is very different from using a water jet to cut stone, metals, or other materials. When cutting paper, the thickness of the water stream is less than that of human hair. Therefore, the water jet can perform paper cutting by removing only the material at the cut location without damaging the rest of the paper. This process is called slitting.

What are the Types of Paper That Waterjet Can Cut?

Water jet cutting works for any type of paper, including:

  • Copier Paper
  • Glass Coated Paper
  • Bond Paper
  • Acid-free Paper
  • Lining Paper
  • Artist’s Paper
  • Cardstock Paper
  • Matt coated Paper
  • Heavyweight Paper
  • Standard Letterhead Paper
  • Recycled Paper
  • Protective Poly Coating Paper
  • Silk Coated Paper
  • Uncoated Paper
  • Watermarked Paper
  • Newsprint
  • Wallpapers

Can You Waterjet Cardboard?

Yes, water jet cutting even works for the thickest paper-based materials, such as cardboard. In fact, multiple layers of cardboard can be stacked on top of each other and cut with a water jet.

What are the Benefits of Using a Water Jet to Cut Paper?

There are many advantages of using a water jet to cut paper. Some of these advantages are:

No Heat-Affected Zones

Heat-affected zones are a common drawback of most cutting methods. However, waterjet cutting is a cold-cutting process, so there are no heat-affected zones. This is particularly beneficial in the paper manufacturing industry, where heat-affected zones can significantly change the appearance of the material or even ruin it entirely. Waterjet cutting preserves the aesthetic appearance of paper as well as its integrity.

Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

As mentioned earlier, multiple stacks of paper can be cut simultaneously with a waterjet cutter. Due to this feature, water jet cutting is a highly efficient and cost-effective solution. Additionally, all the edges of all the paper layers are consistent.

Highly Accurate Cutting

Water jet cutting is a very accurate process that uses an ultra-thin waterjet stream and highly controllable cutting heads. The high accuracy of the cutting heads is a key factor for material such as paper because, usually, it will not go through any secondary processing steps. The best cutting nozzles feature a synthetic diamond ring orifice for optimal precision.

Complex and Intricate Designs

Water jet cutting can do much more than making simple incisions on paper. It is possible to create 3D cuts on paper sheets using a multi-axis water jet cutter. These complex designs are helpful for applications like wallpaper where beautiful aesthetics are required.

No Paper Dust

When paper slitting, traditional mechanical trimmers create a lot of torn flying paper pieces and airborne dust. However, in water jet cutting, the paper debris is washed away into the collecting drainage system with the water stream, making a virtually dust-free cutting environment.

Wrinkle-free cutting

Waterjet cutting paper avoids folded paper unevenly wrapping on a spool. This frequently occurs with traditional blade-based cutting methods. But a water jet creates a smooth, virtually wrinkle-free cut edge.

Applications of Waterjet Cutting Paper

There are many areas in which waterjet cutting is used to produce paper products apart from large-scale paper manufacturers. These applications consist of the following:

  • Book Covers: Water jet cutting works for any type of book cover, whether paperback or hardcover. Waterjet-cut covers have a very smooth edge that is not possible by other alternatives.
  • Business Cards: Business cards are mass-produced by the thousands. With a water jet cutting unit, thousands of business cards can be cut simultaneously within seconds by various sheets of materials on top of one another. The cards produced have consistent edges on a micro-scale.
  • Greeting Cards: The primary consideration while cutting greeting cards is to preserve the aesthetic appeal – with no edge defects. This is best done with a cold-cutting process using a water jet.
  • Paper Bags: Waterjet cutting is the cheapest and most straightforward method to cut industrial packing paper for bags or other types of paper-based packaging.
  • Magnetic Cards: Magnetic cards are made of special durable paper (or plastic). These cards don’t cut well with ordinary mechanical cutters. However, cutting them is a piece of cake with a water jet system.
  • Copier Paper: This requires cutting large reams of paper. Ordinary methods are either too slow or create mechanical stresses that can deform the sheet edges. A water jet cutting system eliminates these problems in ream paper cutting.
  • Food Industry: Waterjet cutting machines find extensive applications in the food industry. They cut food service paper, primary and secondary packaging material such as protective poly coating paper, and even tertiary cardboard packaging. Water jet cutting is a hygienic method as it doesn’t require physical contact of the cutting tool with the material during cutting.

Tips For Cutting Paper With a Water Jet Paper Cutter

Here are some professional tips for better cut quality and efficiency when using water jet technologies for paper cutting.

  • An abrasive water jet system is ideal for cutting metals and other hard materials. However, there is no need for abrasive water jets for paper cutting. A pure water jet produces better quality paper cutting at a significantly lower cost. A pure waterjet stream is the best choice for paper-thin materials, unlike abrasive waterjet cutting, which works best for stone, metals, and plastics.
  • Try stacking materials depending on their product dimensions. For instance, stacking works well with products like business cards, copier reams, legal paper, etc. However, stacking has limitations when every individual piece has customized dimensions.
  • The high-pressure water used in the cutting process can be recycled. Use a mesh to separate the dust from the water before recycling so that it does not clog the systems.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Water Jet Paper Cutter

When deciding between different water jet systems to cut paper, consider the following factors:

Pump Size

Water jet technology works by using ultra-high pressure to cut through materials. However, paper is not as hard as materials like stone and metals. Therefore, a low to medium-pressure pump might suffice if your only requirement is to cut paper.

Budget

The price range of water jet systems is vast. A high-end waterjet stream will come with multi-axis functionality capable of cutting complex designs. But a less advanced machine might be suitable if you only need a water jet edge trimmer for cutting paper.

Manufacturer

When it comes to water jet systems, the brand matters. Brands such as Techni Waterjet have a reputation for providing superior build quality. Their products come with a warranty that reflects this. On the other hand, a local, non-branded water jet might break the next day, and there will be no one to replace or fix it.

Recommended Waterjet Machines

You get the most value for money and the best features with Techni Waterjet’s water jet nozzle-mounted cutters. These can cut paper-thin materials and several inches of thick steel, aluminum, titanium, wood, and even the hardest alloys.

i35 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i35-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		1700 x 2600 x 2050 mm
67" x 102.3" x 80.7"
Cutting Area915 x 1525 mm
36" x 60"
Machine TypeCantilever
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		0.1 mm - 0.004"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i510 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i612-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		4900 x 2650 x 2050 mm
193” x 104.3” x 80.7”
Cutting Area1830 x 3660 mm
72" x 144"
Machine TypeCantilever
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Water Cutting Machine Width - TECHNI Waterjet

i713-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		5800 x 3100 x 2100 mm
228" x 122" x 82.7"
Cutting Area2000 x 4000 mm
78.7" x 157.5"
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Water Cutting Machine Width - TECHNI Waterjet

i1020-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		8000 x 4200 x 2000 mm
315" x 165.3" x 78.7"
Cutting Area3050 x 6100 mm
120" x 240"
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i510 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i510-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		4200 x 2350 x 2050 mm
165” x 92” x 80.7”
Cutting Area 1525 x 3050 mm
60" x 120"
Machine TypeCantilever
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.12 mm - 0.005"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i613 Mini - TECHNI Waterjet

i613-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		5200 x 2700 x 2300 mm
205” x 106” x 91”
Cutting Area1700 x 3700 mm
66.9” x 145.7”
Machine TypeMonoblock
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness130 mm - 5"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Water Cutting Machine Width - TECHNI Waterjet

i815-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		6580 x 3500 x 2100 mm
269.7” x 137.8” x 82.7”
Cutting Area2350 x 4750 mm
92.5” x 187”
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		±0.15 mm - 0.006"
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

i1033 Cutter - TECHNI Waterjet

i1033-G2

Waterjet Cutting
Machine

Machine Size
(L x W x H)		12800 x 5400 x 2200 mm
503.9” x 212.6” x 86.6”
Cutting Area10000 x 3000 mm
393.7” x 118.1”
Machine TypeGantry
Accuracy of Motion
(Linear/Axis/Meter)		± 0.1 mm - 0.004”
Max Material Thickness200 mm - 8"
Materials that can be CutListed here
PriceEnquire for Price
BrochureDownload

Is a Waterjet the Best Solution for Cutting Paper?

Considering the benefits of a water jet tail cutter, it is the best option for paper cutting. In fact, a waterjet cutter is the first choice of professionals for paper and many other materials. Therefore, a water jet machine is ideal for many versatile uses when it is not busy processing your paper-cutting requirements.

Conclusion

Water jet cutting technologies have replaced traditional mechanical tail cutters due to their accuracy, cut quality, and many other benefits. A water jet cutting machine is the perfect solution if you want to cut almost all paper grades with fewer sheet breaks.

For more information, browse the vast catalog of Techni Waterjet CNC Cutters and find out why they are the industry’s leading machines for waterjet cutting paper.

The post Waterjet Cutting Paper – Choose the Best Machine appeared first on TechniWaterjet.

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