Water jet cutting is a process that uses a highly pressurized stream of water along with an abrasive substance in order to cut through different materials. This process can be used in a number of different industrial applications, and it is often useful for producing gears and other parts used in machinery and equipment. The process offers a high degree of precision and it is often preferable to heated cutting methods, since it won’t alter the composition of metal components, but there are certain limitations to what it can do.
Understanding the limitations of water jet steel cutting in San Francisco, CA is important since it can help you decide whether water jet cutting is the best option for the components that you need to have cut.
Lack of accuracy when it comes to depth
Although many of the components that are cut using water jet systems are cut completely through, there are some situations in which someone might want the material to only be cut partially. This control over depth can prove challenging to achieve through the use of water jet cutting. Although it is difficult to execute designs that require a specific level of depth, it isn’t impossible. Even if you can’t use water jet cutting to achieve your design, there are other options that you can choose. You could utilize laser technology for precise depth control, although this option won’t work if you are working with a material that could be damaged or compromised by heat.
Width of kerf
If you have ever cut a piece of wood with a table saw, you know that there is a small margin of material that is completely lost when it is cut. This material that is destroyed and turned to sawdust by the saw during the cutting process is called kerf. Kerf, which can be thought of as the material that is lost during the cutting process, is an important consideration with water jet steel cutting in San Francisco, CA. Because the shape of the water jet is a circle, it is impossible to create a perfect corner because the kerf will always be round rather than sharp. Fortunately, experienced water jet cutters know how to compensate for kerf and can ensure that you are getting precision from the water jet cutting process.
Even given its limitations, water jet cutting still offers an impressive number of benefits that make it a preferred method among many people in a variety of applications. If you want to find out more about how you might be able to take advantage of water jet cutting for your needs, contact Mach 1 Waterjet, Inc. For decades, we have been providing an exceptional level of customer service and quality work to business owners, developers, architects, fabricators and even artists. We are proud to be a locally owned and operated business, and we strive to offer the best services possible at fair prices. Simply call us today to find out more about what we can do to help you.