Main Benefits of Waterjet Cutting

What advantages does waterjet cutting have over other forms of cutting?

KMT Waterjet Systems is the pioneer of waterjet cutting and has accumulated more than 40 years of experience. This development has been aided by KMT Waterjet's heavy involvement over the past four decades in
Ultra High Pressure Technology. Waterjet Cutting Technology is unique, advanced way to augment the level of automation since it will cut almost all materials cost effectively.

What advantages does waterjet cutting have over other forms of cutting?

Waterjet Cutting Technology

The biggest advantage of this technology over others material separation technologies is that this is a cold cutting process. This technology would be used where shearing, machining, and thermal processes would give poor - if not failed - results. As opposed to thermal processes, all materials cut with waterjet undergo not thermal stress. Therefore there is no surface hardening and warping, no dripping slag or melting, and no potentially damaging gaseous emissions. Poisonous gases can result from the laser cutting of plastics and must be evacuated and treated. For plastic coated metals, this technology is oftentimes the only method of cutting since it does not influence the surface negatively. Moreover, it hardly worth trying to cut certain materials in large thickness with conventional thermal cutting. For example, titanium, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum causes a laser cutter many problems. A laser cannot cut certain fiber reinforced materials or stone.

The demands on industrial cutting
have risen dramatically in the past several years. The requirements go beyond better productivity or cutting speed - one needs to be able to cut complex shapes with high accuracy while maintaining good cut edge quality. Waterjet cutting does not exert any pressure on the part; rather, the mechanical reaction takes place at a micro level. Despite the high kinetic energy in waterjet cutting, part deformation is avoided and high cutting accuracy is achieved without any leaving any frayed edges or burrs. The cut edges have excellent quality and do not need to be worked any further. There is no damage to the surface of the part. The hair thin waterjet causes a minimal kerf. This results in less loss of material than with conventional technologies. This characteristic can make full use of nesting programs to make the process even more attractive.

Waterjet cutting is especially advantageous
in cutting complex shapes. Materials can be cut with almost any shape using this cold process. Those who work with waterjet cutting can be flexible when working with continuously changing contours and materials. This technology can be used with a variety of cutting techniques. Sharp corners and bevels as well as minimal inner radii are all possible. The ability to start a cut anywhere in the part and well as plunge cutting permit a universal tool and process regardless of the material cut.

The environmental considerations
are particularly "friendly" with waterjet cutting. The process is clean, does not create any dust, grindings, chips, or chemical air pollution. Cutting oils or emulsions are not needed. In today's world of high raw material prices and limited resources, the optimal material utilization through the small kerf and part on part nesting are welcome additional advantages for selecting waterjet cutting.