Thursday, August 20, 2009

Using CNC Waterjet Cutting for Metal Work and More

By Jim Pickeringson

When working with metal, there are many things to keep in mind. The strength and durability of metal products makes them ideal for many applications. However, stress and heat can affect the properties of metal, weakening them and causing problems. Today, new technology like cnc waterjet cutting is available that can vastly cut down on the problems associated with metal working. There are many reasons to cut metal with a waterjet, so if your product is created with metals, you will definitely want to take a look at the many benefits.

There are several factors that make waterjet cutters such a green technology. First, using the tool creates absolutely no hazardous by products. Also, cnc waterjet cutting reduces waste for your business. This is because each item that you cut can be closely placed, reducing your scrap material.

However, cnc waterjet cutting vastly cuts down that cost by allowing you to carefully control all factors of your manufacturing. Because a waterjet does not create heat in the cutting process, you can avoid over spending on materials. Also, each piece can be placed very closely to stop waste in your cutting layout. You will no longer need to throw away half your material cost in scrap.

Many people who regularly work with metal are quite familiar with waterjet cutting. However, the technology is widely used throughout manufacturing and is suitable for many applications. CNC waterjet cutting is used on stone, tile, foam, metal, plastic, rubber, composite materials, paper and even food. Each product has unique properties that make them difficult to work with when using normal techniques. Luckily, the cutters can be calibrated to work perfectly with each material, even when the properties are vastly different.

If you have ever seen artistic metal work, CNC waterjet cutting is often the tool of choice to accomplish those amazing and intricate results. However, it is also used to create speciality tools, machine parts and much more. Also, unlike most tools, the cutter isn't really hindered by thickness of the material. It can easily handle thicknesses of 18 inches or more! If you cut metal as a part of your work, a waterjet can do the job for you.

However, it's equally as careful with soft materials like foam, which can melt or disentegrate under too much stress. In fact, one of the most amazing things about waterjet cutting is just how versatile it is. While it's true that extremely intricate metal work is absolutely no problem for this tool, it is also used to cut stone, tile, rubber, plastics, paper and even food.

You want your employees to enjoy a safe workplace and you also want to ensure that you reduce your carbon footprint. By using cnc waterjet cutting, you can accomplish both those goals, offering consistency and accuracy in your cutting and cutting back on the common byproducts of producing a product.

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