Water Jet?

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So I watch alot of Velocity TV because I restore cars and I am hearing about this water jet technology. Anyone heard of it? How does it compare to CNC and Laser? All I got is a hack saw.
Reply:Originally Posted by DeveSo I watch alot of Velocity TV because I restore cars and I am hearing about this water jet technology. Anyone heard of it? How does it compare to CNC and Laser? All I got is a hack saw.
Reply:If all you have is a hack saw, what cars are you restoring?
Reply:I was kidding altho I do doubt myself alot. Especially when I hear about water cutting thick metal very smoothly. All I have heard about before this was CNC Plasma and Laser. Some of the more notorious hotrod companies use water? Was hoping some of you knew more about this.
Reply:Hello Deve, where it shines is where there is a need for controlling thermal input during a cutting process. Since it is basically a "cold" process it doesn't generally distort the material being cut and it also doesn't introduce thermal stresses associated with most other cutting processes. As to CNC, most of these systems are CNC controlled and due to that, the parts produced are capable of being done to some very exacting tolerances. The term waterjet doesn't really describe the process fully, much of the time the "water" is actually a slurry of fluid and some sort of abrasive additive. Garnet is a real common additive for many cutting operations associated with a waterjet. Besides being a thermally friendly process, when the unit is used to cut thicker sections of various materials the kerf maintains a better vertical profile and exhibits less angular effect. Particularly when compared to many Plasma cutting systems and how they handle thick sections. There are hand-held systems for this process, yet I believe they are mostly used for demolition purposes in instances where thermal cutting systems would have explosive results, ie. large fuel tank dismantling and other such challenges. I have a brother-in-law who operates a waterjet for a company in Oregon, they use it for cutting: stainless steels, carbon steel, titanium, plastics, rubber, and a number of other materials. This is just a very quick basic rundown of some of this systems capabilities, I am sure there are others out there who could offer much more detail, accuracy, and examples to answer your questions. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_jet_cutterIan TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Thanks for the info. I guess I was just a little surprised to hear about its accuracy and all when I was under the impression CNC Plasma and Laser was the best there is. Thanks again!
Reply:Slow, expensive and messy.  I'd love to have one.  Did I mention I was married?"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:There sweet when u think about cutting steel at 60,000 psi!!!!miller trailblazer 280millermatic 211millermatic 252maxstar 140thermal dynamics A60miller spectrum 375 x-treme4'x8' burn table inc.175 square wave
Reply:Tons of water jet info here:  http://www.waterjets.org/I love all the various pictures of parts."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:very high power requirements.  50hp typical.   very loud and very expensive to buy and maintain.  rate of consumable and service cost and is around $50/hr.so you need to bill $100/hr or more and keep it busy a lot.   not for casual use by small shops.but it will do an amazing variety of materials and is sometimes the only way possible.
Reply:CNC plasma is the fastest process on conductive metals from about 3/16" through 2" thick.....has adequate accuracy (as good as +- .010 on many materials), and is the lowest cost per foot of cut....can also be hand held. Capital equipment price is low for cnc machines. Oxyfuel is often mounted on same machines for steel thicker than 2".CNC laser shines on materials thinner than 1/4", and is fastest on thin gauge with accuracy in the +- .005" range. High capital equipment price moderately high cost per foot of cut. Abrasive water jet will cut just about anything (metals, stone, glass, plasrtics, wood, etc.), provide a cut with no thermal effect. Cost per foot of cut is extremely high on metals due to slow cut speeds and the use of garnet abrasive. Capital equipment cost is high.Each process has its best niche. Each has different productivity, accuracies, operating costs and cut quality. Many shops have all of the proceeses and use them for their best applications.Jim Colt   Hypertherm
Reply:Thought I would ad this link as well....it takes you to an online magazine that I write technical articles for quarterly....it compares different plate cutting processes (Plasma, Laser, Water Jet and Oxy-Fuel) talking of their advantages and disadvantages. You can access a few of my plasma cutting articles at this site as well.Jim Colt   Link: http://www.fabricatingandmetalworkin...tting-process/
Reply:Thanks to all you replied. This IS fascinating learning the different ways metals are cut. Its obvious I came to the right place to ask the questions! Thx again!