Water jet cutting services are highly in demand, for quick but accurate precision engineering tasks. The flawless, clean finish produced is important for many industrial applications.
When listing common applications for water jet cutting services, it would probably be quicker to explain what this technology can’t do. That’s because modern machinery – in skilled hands – can now achieve an incredible range of tasks.
That includes slicing quickly and accurately through substantial metal plates, right through to engineering intricate designs in glass and ceramics. Water jet technology can even create precise cuts to the millimetre, including engravings, cut-outs and patterns.
You can add to your own understanding of what’s involved in manufacturing with water jet technology by working with a knowledgeable and skilled service provider.
What industries use water jet cutting services?
Despite its many advantages, it’s a relatively low-cost part engineering option, not least as no tooling is required. It also minimises your spending on materials. That’s because water jet cutting can avoid the risk of breakage, heat damage and other issues that increase outlay on raw materials.
Related article: Advantages of Water Jet Cutting
Stone and tile manufacturers
Companies that need to cut stones and tiles to shape have long embraced the benefits of using water jets. Unlike alternative precision cutting methods, water jet technology creates a precise and smooth cut edge. This includes slicing through stones up to six inches thick.
Water jets can even cut granite, and marble, swiftly and cost-effectively. While materials at risk of damage with some cutting methods – like porcelain – can be shaped and engraved with equal dexterity.
Glass industry and specifiers
If you need to cut glass into a highly specific shape, or a swift return on multiple glass components, water jet services offer the ideal solution. Glass doesn’t always respond well to alternative cutting methods – including laser technology –and can easily splinter, crack or underperform due to microscopic abrasion or heat damage. Those risks are avoided by the water jet cutting method.
Also read: The benefits of water jet cutting fibreglass
Metal part manufacturers and engineers
Mention has already been made of the ability water jet cutting has to shape metal quickly and accurately. This has made it a common precision-cutting option in such sectors as automotive and aerospace.
As this cutting option avoids heat impact and friction, metal remains structurally and chemically intact. Having absolute trust in a part’s integrity and performance can be especially important in transport applications, of course.
Jet cutting equipment’s ability to smoothly engineer parts from stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper and bronze means it is invaluable to other machinery designers too, and within niche sectors such as sign makers and the marine industry.
Plastic part manufacture
A wide range of industries that use plastic components relies on water jet cutting services. As the technology can be programmed to produce incredibly intricate items made of plastic, it is certainly popular for producing quality-assured toy components and household items.
The same level of structural integrity may not be possible by shaping plastic using laser or plasma cutting equipment. There is also a chance with other cutting methods that structural and chemical changes only become apparent later in your manufacturing process, with a significant impact on your productivity.
Furniture, upholstery and flooring
It’s remarkable to think that the same equipment that slices through granite and metal can be used to craft foam shapes accurately and swiftly. Water jet cutting services make ‘short work’ of cushioning materials for the furniture industry, but also for automobile seating and other specialist users of foam.
Any carbon fibre, laminate and plywood requirements for cabinetry and other applications can be safely progressed with water jet services. Even textiles used in furniture and other industries can be shaped flawlessly by water jets, despite the apparent dichotomy of keeping this type of material dry.
As alternative cutting methods don’t provide the same quality of finish, water jets are also used by flooring companies and any other business that works with composites, hardwood and softwood.
Cutting to the chase
This is just a sample of the endless opportunities with water jet cutting when you find a company with advanced machinery and skills.
Water jet technology is advancing constantly. This means increasing numbers of companies are using this sustainable, versatile and reliable cutting method. To explore outsourcing your cutting requirements, contact Custom Moulded Polyurethane for a swift quote.
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