LEARN ABOUT WATERJETS
WHAT MATERIALS CAN A WATERJET CUT?
METALS
Waterjet machines cut all types of metals: hardened tool steel, aluminum, titanium, and a host of exotic metals that prove difficult to cut with other tools or processes. Cutting with a waterjet produces a smooth edge with no burn marks, cracking or excess burrs. In addition, since waterjet is a cold cutting method, there are no heat-affected zones.
Aluminum
More aluminum is cut on OMAX systems than any other metal because it cuts so quickly and cleanly.
Brass
Brass alloys cut quickly and cleanly with the OMAX abrasive waterjet process, with no thermal distortion.
Carbon Steel
The lack of heat affected zone from the abrasive waterjet means that the steel is not altered by the cutting process.
Copper
The reflectivity of copper that may be an issue for lasers is not a problem for an OMAX abrasive waterjet.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel can be cut easily on the OMAX abrasive waterjet, even those such as 304 that are difficult to machine with other processes without heat or distortion.
Titanium
Titanium can be cut quickly and accurately without any thermal distortion or surface embrittlement. Waterjet doesn’t suffer from dulled cutting tools like traditional CNC machines.
Tool Steel
More and more tool and die shops are finding the OMAX system to be a valuable addition with close to EDM precision at up to 10 times the speed.
NATURALS
Glass, stone, or wood, waterjets have the capability to fabricate with nearly any material under the sun. With specialized techniques such as low-pressure pierce, water-only cutting, and vacuum assistance a whole host of natural materials can be machined perfectly.
Ceramic Tile
More and more tool and die shops are finding the OMAX system to be a valuable addition with close to EDM precision at up to 10 times the speed.
Glass
The OMAX system is widely used for cutting a variety of glass products, from ultra-thin panels for smartphones to thick multi-layered bullet-proof panels for vehicles and buildings to panels for stained glass windows.
NATURALS
Granite
There is no worry about chipping like you would with a conventional saw when you use an abrasive waterjet on granite.
Leather
OMAX abrasive waterjet cut leather accurately with an extremely narrow kerf width.
Marble
Cutting marble countertops is a breeze with an Abrasive Waterjet and you don’t have to worry about chipping like you would with a saw.
Wood
For intricate designs, or for wood impregnated with additional agents, OMAX abrasive waterjet is the ideal tool for machining.
COMPOSITES
Abrasive waterjet has major advantages when Cutting carbon fiber. No need to change tooling. No special considerations or restrictions due to heat buildup. No melting. No hazardous fumes requiring costly air handling equipment. Any fiber-reinforced material, including Kevlar reinforced personnel armor, can be quickly and cleanly cut without the drawbacks that come with conventional machining.
AeroFIBER™
With low pressure pierce adding control of cutting layered materials, abrasive waterjet is perfect for AeroFIBER™
Carbon Fiber
Cutting carbon fiber-reinforced plastics with an OMAX abrasive waterjet has major advantages: no tool clogging or wear, no need to change tooling, no special considerations or restrictions due to heat buildup, no melting, and no hazardous fumes requiring costly air handling equipment.
FeroForm
FeroForm cuts without fraying on an abrasive waterjet.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass can be cut quickly and cleanly without hazardous dust or fumes by simply submerging the material during cutting.
G10
OMAX offers more controlled machining of composite material removing the threat of delamination.
Kevlar
Kevlar reinforced personnel armor can be quickly and cleanly cut on the OMAX without hazardous dust or fumes.
Phenolic
Abrasive waterjets leaves a smooth surface on phenolic.
PLASTICS & RUBBER
The material distortions associated with machining plastic on conventional CNC machines no longer comes into play when using the cold cutting method of a waterjet. The ability to easily machine foam, rubber, and acrylic as well as all the previously listed materials gives waterjets an edge as a multi-use value-add tool. The versatility of a waterjet is what makes it so essential to any machine shop.
Acrylic
Cast and extruded acrylic can be cut easily using the low-pressure pierce function of an OMAX waterjet.
Foam
Foam rubber cut easily using a water-only nozzle without abrasive.
Linoleum Tile
Cut linoleum tiles to exact measurements with no material distortion.
Plexiglas
Cutting underwater reduces the likelihood of chips and shards flying that occurs when cutting Plexiglas with a static saw.
Polycarbonate
Machining intricate designs in polycarbonate with an abrasive waterjet is easy and far less time consuming that using standard equipment.
Rubber
Softer rubber cut easily using a water-only nozzle without abrasive. Fiber-reinforced rubber and very hard rubber can be cut cleanly using the abrasive waterjet process.
RELATED QUESTIONS
The high-level answer is that abrasive waterjets can cut through 12 inches of most materials. Many users report cutting material even thicker than that. Most abrasive waterjet cutting, however, is done in material that is 3 inches thick or less. Cutting thicker than that usually reduces the tolerance that can be maintained and increases the amount of time to cut a part.
Yes. Dual pressure piercing allows for piercing of glass with minimal risk of cracking. OMAX waterjet machines come standard with dual pressure capabilities. OMAX Machines also have a special "brittle mode" that works in conjunction with low-pressure piercing to slowly raise the pump pressure during the pierce to avoid a sudden shock to the material by a rapid change in pressure. Using these techniques reduces the risk of cracking, making glass cutting into a very profitable venture.
Yes, abrasive waterjets with OMAX premium software can perform etching in material.
