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Why WaterJet?
Waterjet is a very versatile, environmentally clean process. Its versatility in cutting almost any material, and its lack of impact on these materials is making waterjet machining a tool of choice as either the only tool used, or to complement other processes.
 The process of waterjet cutting is quite simple. Water is pressurized to 60,000 psi by hydraulic intensification, and then forced through a small orifice in the cutting head. Inside a mixing tube, abrasive is mixed with the high pressure water, creating an abrasive waterjet stream that exits the nozzle at about 1.5 times the speed of sound. Through a combination of micro-erosion (grinding) and a shear yielding of the material a narrow section of material (called the kerf) is removed all the way through the thickness.
Virtually any material can be cut with abrasive waterjet cutting.
Benefits of Waterjet Cutting
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More versatile than other processes - Waterjet cuts most materials, including metals, plastics, stone (manufactured and natural), glass, foam, and ceramics. Because there is no heat and no work induced stress incurred in the cutting process, almost any material is suitable for waterjet cutting. |
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Cut the thinnest sheet to material over 6 inches thick. Waterjet allows stacking of materials, and cuts a variety of thicknesses, adding productivity to the cutting process. |
6 x 12 Water Jet any material
up to 6" thick
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Provides a cleaner edge with minimal post cutting processes - The non invasive waterjet cutting process generates a high quality finish which looks like a fine sandblasted finish on most materials, and eliminates a majority of post process finishing. |
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Fits well with other types of material processing - Waterjet, either abrasive or straight water, can be used as a partner for other processes in fabrication and machining. It even makes an excellent mate for lasers, providing superior quality on aluminum and high finish materials, as well as extending the thickness range on conventional materials such as stainless steel. |
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Environmentally safe and clean - Waterjet cutting involves no chemicals, gases or noxious liquids used in the cutting process. Abrasive waterjet cutting uses garnet (a high grade sand) as the abrasive, resulting in a very clean process that is preferable to other methods of cutting in terms of environmental impact and resulting disposal of by products and waste water. Waterjet cutting doesn't create dust when cutting stone, thus providing a safer work environment for companies using the process to waterjet cut stone inlays and countertops. |
Featured on Rides and  on TLC
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What can you do with a Waterjet?
All types of metal, composites, wood, plastic and glass can be cut with a waterjet. In abrasive cutting, water under ultra high pressure is mixed with an abrasive (normally garnet) producing an extremely powerful cutting tool that can be used to cut even the most delicate or brittle material such as glass. Straight water is ideal for cutting softer materials such as foam, paper, or rubber. Yet, there is no effect on the material itself - no heat affected zone or stress to the material.
Accuracy matters.
That is why each Calypso system is designed to deliver the highest possible accuracy: +/-.003" over full travel. Whether you are fabricating metal parts, cutting foam, or the thinnest composite material
12' x 6' Duel Head
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