Top industrial applications for water jet cutting

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.

Is it possible to get a fast turnaround on a part, without compromising on the accuracy and a flawless finish? It is when you understand the benefits of industrial water jet cutting services from CMP!

There are multiple reasons why Custom Moulded Polyurethane has invested in the latest industrial water jet cutting equipment.

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.

How water jet cutting differs from traditional mechanical cutting processes

You probably already know the basics of water jet cutting technology.

However, it’s crucial to appreciate that using a focused stream of under-pressure water (mixed with a carefully measured amount of abrasive material) is not just a quick way to slice through materials. Using the latest technology and our technical expertise, it is also incredibly versatile.

One of the most important advantages compared to traditional ways to precision cut parts is that there is no heat or friction in this process. That means that even materials that are delicate or unpredictable will retain their original tensile properties.

No shedding, flaking, bending, warping or burning.

Just incredibly precise and clean-cut, through a wide spectrum of sizes, densities and types of core materials. There are many things you can cut using industrial water jet cutting services. It’s unlikely that the material you have in mind is missing from the list of possibilities, even if you need particularly thick or thin bespoke parts!

Keeping in mind too, that this is a highly sustainable way to create an accurate part in a wide range of materials.

Also, do you need your part precision engineered to a ready-to-use finish, or cut ready to go through secondary processes? The adaptability of water jet cutting – when compared to traditional methods – means you can specify any shape or finish, with the confidence of complete satisfaction with the end result.

Related Article: A Guide to Custom Water Jet Cutting

The steps to commissioning industrial water jet cutting

Now you know what’s possible with our industrial water jet cutting service, how can you get a bespoke part cut swiftly and accurately?

JOB SPECIFICATION WITH DRAWINGS

You send us your visual spec in various file formats, though the preferred ones are:- DXF, DWG, IGS, CADKEY, CDL and HPL files. A chat with our technician ‘drills down’ on form and function, so we get your part perfect.

QUOTATION

Our team quickly provides a reliable price for water jet cutting, based on machine running time, any materials we need to source, and any finishing processes or other special engineering services you need us to provide.

PAYMENT

New customers make a Pro-forma payment via BACS and bank transfer. Many of our ever-increasing long-term customers have worked out credit terms with us.

MATERIAL PROCUREMENT

We create polyurethane to the right tensile properties for the part, or we source quality alternative materials as per the brief. Everything we procure is from reliable sources and is inspected and checked at every stage.

WATER JET CUTTING

Using our advanced water jet technology, each prototype part or run of parts is crafted to match the original brief flawlessly, every single time.

DELIVERY

Following the last inspection, your water jet cut part or parts are delivered promptly by our trusted couriers.

Related Article: Water Jet Cutting Services: 5 Things You Need to Know About

How fast can you meet a brief for a new part?

The turnaround speed of bespoke parts cut to order depends on their complexity and the materials involved. However, it’s likely to be fast!

Our quick industrial water jet cutting services are particularly crucial for customers working on time-sensitive R&D projects, or when a replacement part is needed to prevent costly downtime or inefficiencies.

Custom Moulded Polyurethane’s experience and advanced machinery also reduce the lead time for non-urgent parts too.

Meeting your deadline with our industrial water jet cutting services runs alongside that guarantee of accuracy too.

If you’re still not convinced, go ahead and put that to the test. We would be pleased to provide a free quote for parts of all types, sizes and shapes, whatever your base material is.

Final Words

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.