Waterjet Machining

Abrasive waterjet cutting has grown along with the increased use of composites in airframes, and advanced techniques help make it a preferred technology.

A small, Philadelphia-area shop is using a 55,000-psi, 2,000-mph abrasive waterjet to help grow its primary business: making parts for Boeing aircraft.

Pros and cons of waterjet cutting at the highest available pressure.

Waterjet technology helps custom fabricator offer additional products. Innovative waterjet cutting drives growth for stainless steel fabricator.

Improvements to abrasive waterjet systems are increasing their use.

Advances in abrasive waterjet machining have encouraged a growing number of shops to adopt the technology.

Programming a cut with an abrasive waterjet is complicated by the fact that the stream of water deflects as it passes through the workpiece. This article describes newer controller technology that can adjust the traverse speed to minimize deflection at corners and curves.

There are many good reasons a shop might choose to purchase an abrasive waterjet machine. However, as this article explains, many factors must be considered to determine if the investment makes economic sense. The article discusses how and when a shop can adopt AWJ profitably and it explores the possibility of achieving the same results more cost effectively by subcontracting the work to an AWJ specialty house.

There are relatively small, budget-friendly machines on the market that might meet your needs.