Portfolio Archive:

UNDERSTANDING NESTING IN WATER JET CUTTING APPLICATIONS

In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, maximizing the value of every sheet of stock material is crucial. That’s where nesting comes in. In water jet cutting applications, nesting utilizes material layout optimization to maximize stock use. Less material goes into the scrap bin, and more profit goes to the bottom line.

This isn’t just a clever layout strategy; it’s one of the most effective ways to reduce cost per part and streamline cutting production. While nesting can be done manually, automated nesting software significantly improves speed, accuracy, and repeatability, especially when integrated with high-precision cutting systems, such as water jets from Jet Edge. In fact, with the thin-kerf capability, thin stock stacking, and the ability to cut any material you can imagine, water jets are the ideal way to integrate nesting into your cutting and machining operations.

ALL ABOUT WATER JET CUTTING IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

Every industry that requires precision-machined parts has its own set of unique manufacturing challenges. But it’s safe to say the aerospace industry is especially challenging and demanding.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WATER-ONLY ORIFICE FOR YOUR WATER JET MACHINE

Water jets are among the most versatile tools in modern manufacturing, offering precision cutting for an extensive range of materials. One minute, you can cut stainless steel with 60-degree bevels and then quickly change over to cutting glass, plastic, foam, composites, and a host of other materials using the water-only cutting capability of your tool. In fact, by utilizing a Spreader Bar with a 3-axis high rail system, up to 12 abrasive and / or water-only cutting heads can be mixed for maximum productivity. Talk about flexibility!

WATER JET CUTTER SAFETY PART 2: THE HIGH-PRESSURE INTENSIFIER PUMP

Workplace safety focuses on identifying, preventing, and eliminating hazards that cause accidents or negatively impact worker health. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), part of the United States Department of Labor, sets safety standards that organizations must satisfy. Adhering to these standards is crucial for maintaining a safe working environment.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ORIFICE AND NOZZLE COMBINATION FOR ABRASIVE CUTTING YOUR WATER JET MACHINE

For abrasive water jet cutting, selecting the right orifice and nozzle combination is critical to process optimization. These will allow one to find the correct balance of edge finish, cutting speed, cutting accuracy while minimizing scrap loss – all of which have an impact on your bottom line. Let’s explore.

SURFACE DETECTION PART 2: CONTACT HEIGHT SENSORS

The objective of surface detection is simple: maintain the required standoff distance (SOD) between the cutting head nozzle tip and the stock’s surface across the entire cut path – regardless of material flatness and surface irregularities. The cutting surface of most materials will vary as they are not yet machined to ensure perfectly level surfaces.

SURFACE DETECTION PART 1: NON-CONTACT LASER MAPPING

The objective of surface detection is simple: maintain the required standoff distance (SOD) between the cutting head’s nozzle tip and the stock’s surface across the entire cut path regardless of material flatness and surface irregularities. The cutting surface of most materials will vary because they will not have been machined flat prior to cutting to ensure perfectly level surfaces.

WATER JET CUTTER SAFETY PART 1: THE MOTION SYSTEM

Workplace safety focuses on identifying, preventing, and eliminating hazards that cause accidents or negatively impact worker health. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), part of the United States Department of Labor, sets safety standards that organizations must satisfy. Adhering to these standards is crucial for maintaining a safe working environment.

GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR WATER JET CUTTER – TIPS AND BEST PRACTICES

This article is designed to help reduce the learning curve for first-time water jet users. First we must make some assumptions (yes, we know what happens when you assume, but we feel we’re on solid ground here) to create this guide.

THE ADVANTAGES OF BLADDER CATCH TANKS FOR SUBMERGED WATER JET CUTTING

Water jet cutting systems rank at or near the top of machine tools when considering the range of materials that can be cut, the high-speed cutting that can be performed, and their high precision capabilities. With fast set up times, high edge finish quality, and the elimination of heat-affected zones that may require secondary grinding operations – they are also some of the most efficient.