What Makes Waterjets Cutting Distinct from Laser Cutting Method?
When it comes to their material cutting concerns, companies involved in the manufacturing space favor the use of waterjet cutting and laser cutting techniques.
With respect to the material in question and the result they desire to have, one of these two methods would be most appropriate for a given application.
Before making any conclusion that one of which is better than the other, it would help a lot if we will examine first what their fundamental differences are, in terms of processes as well as the materials they are known to work well with. From identifying what their distinct qualities are from each other, we can draw a line on how we can use them for our various material cutting requirements.
Water Jet Cutting
Unlike laser cutters, a water jet cutting system, denoting its name, makes use of highly pressurized water to cut or slice through a material. Abrasive materials in the form of aluminum oxide and garnets can be used if you want to further intensify their cutting power.
Besides increasing its cutting ability, the addition of abrasives to the water before getting pressurized will significantly help in reducing cutting time to half.
The working principle behind the waterjets system of cutting is derived from nature itself, particularly the erosion of soil in mountains. The waterjet technique is, however, an amplified version of erosion. The main difference is that a waterjet is executed at a higher speed and concentration.
With the help of a high-pressure pump, the water can be driven through rigid hoses. This action will lay the groundwork for a highly powerful/forceful jet of water.
If laser cutters have their laser source right inside the machine itself, waterjet pumps and work areas are often separate.
Applications and Materials
One reason why the waterjet system of cutting quickly elevated itself as the material cutting of choice among many industries is due to its ability to cut virtually any material, even the combination of materials.
If there is one downside to the waterjet cutting system, it may have something to do with the risk of delamination. While it can somehow manage 3D material cutting, it tends to exhibit a limited ability when working on cavities and sandwich structures.
It is possible to cut materials that pose limited access, however, it may necessitate you to surmount those challenges first.
Waterjet systems can carry out a variety of tasks such as ablation, structuring, and cutting, particularly on stone, thick metals, and ceramic materials. Materials with a thickness range of anywhere between 0.4 to 2 inches would most benefit from water jet cutting.
Safety and Precision
When it comes to precision, laser cutting is a notch higher when compared to the water jet technique. It usually comes with a cut size slit of 0.02 inches.
Due to the strong amount of force used, thin and small parts will not usually fare well with it. Therefore, extreme care and caution must be observed when handling such materials with waterjet.
Waterjet systems are not known to produce thermal stress on the subject material being cut or sliced through, however, adding some abrasive particles to the pressurized water may run the risk of having a sand-blasted look.
Additionally, the water jet machine operator will need to wear high-quality goggles to protect both his eyes and face.
Laser Cutting
Laser cutting machines depend a lot on a gas laser to work and for its energy requirement. This would include the CO2 laser. Under the guidance of mirrors, pure CO2 will be transmitted through a beam, heading towards the direction of the material.
The source of the laser in these machines can be located right inside it. As for the laser beam, it can produce an output that is anywhere between 1500 and 2600 Watts.
Materials and Applications
Laser cutting systems perform exceptionally well if you are working on materials that are between 0.12 to 0.4-inch thickness. Most of the time, they are taken advantage of in handling and cutting flat sheets of steel with a medium thickness. It is typical for laser cutting systems to handle works involving drilling, welding, cutting, ablation, engraving, structuring.
Precision and Safety
While safety goggles are not an absolute necessity here, laser cutting systems may generate dust and smoke. If you are working on metals and plastic materials, it may even produce toxic fumes. This goes to show that proper ventilation in your workspace is of paramount importance, and thus can’t be put aside.
Overall, compared to waterjet cutting methods, there is a minimum amount of risk involved with laser cutting systems. The same is also true when it comes to the subsequent cleanup and the amount of waste produced.
What Makes Waterjets Cutting Distinct from Laser Cutting Method? Read More »
When it comes to their material cutting concerns, companies involved in the manufacturing space favor the use of waterjet cutting and laser cutting techniques.
With respect to the material in question and the result they desire to have, one of these two methods would be most appropriate for a given application.
Before making any conclusion that one of which is better than the other, it would help a lot if we will examine first what their fundamental differences are, in terms of processes as well as the materials they are known to work well with. From identifying what their distinct qualities are from each other, we can draw a line on how we can use them for our various material cutting requirements.
Water Jet Cutting
Unlike laser cutters, a water jet cutting system, denoting its name, makes use of highly pressurized water to cut or slice through a material. Abrasive materials in the form of aluminum oxide and garnets can be used if you want to further intensify their cutting power.
Besides increasing its cutting ability, the addition of abrasives to the water before getting pressurized will significantly help in reducing cutting time to half.
The working principle behind the waterjets system of cutting is derived from nature itself, particularly the erosion of soil in mountains. The waterjet technique is, however, an amplified version of erosion. The main difference is that a waterjet is executed at a higher speed and concentration.
With the help of a high-pressure pump, the water can be driven through rigid hoses. This action will lay the groundwork for a highly powerful/forceful jet of water.
If laser cutters have their laser source right inside the machine itself, waterjet pumps and work areas are often separate.
Applications and Materials
One reason why the waterjet system of cutting quickly elevated itself as the material cutting of choice among many industries is due to its ability to cut virtually any material, even the combination of materials.
If there is one downside to the waterjet cutting system, it may have something to do with the risk of delamination. While it can somehow manage 3D material cutting, it tends to exhibit a limited ability when working on cavities and sandwich structures.
It is possible to cut materials that pose limited access, however, it may necessitate you to surmount those challenges first.
Waterjet systems can carry out a variety of tasks such as ablation, structuring, and cutting, particularly on stone, thick metals, and ceramic materials. Materials with a thickness range of anywhere between 0.4 to 2 inches would most benefit from water jet cutting.
Safety and Precision
When it comes to precision, laser cutting is a notch higher when compared to the water jet technique. It usually comes with a cut size slit of 0.02 inches.
Due to the strong amount of force used, thin and small parts will not usually fare well with it. Therefore, extreme care and caution must be observed when handling such materials with waterjet.
Waterjet systems are not known to produce thermal stress on the subject material being cut or sliced through, however, adding some abrasive particles to the pressurized water may run the risk of having a sand-blasted look.
Additionally, the water jet machine operator will need to wear high-quality goggles to protect both his eyes and face.
Laser Cutting
Laser cutting machines depend a lot on a gas laser to work and for its energy requirement. This would include the CO2 laser. Under the guidance of mirrors, pure CO2 will be transmitted through a beam, heading towards the direction of the material.
The source of the laser in these machines can be located right inside it. As for the laser beam, it can produce an output that is anywhere between 1500 and 2600 Watts.
Materials and Applications
Laser cutting systems perform exceptionally well if you are working on materials that are between 0.12 to 0.4-inch thickness. Most of the time, they are taken advantage of in handling and cutting flat sheets of steel with a medium thickness. It is typical for laser cutting systems to handle works involving drilling, welding, cutting, ablation, engraving, structuring.
Precision and Safety
While safety goggles are not an absolute necessity here, laser cutting systems may generate dust and smoke. If you are working on metals and plastic materials, it may even produce toxic fumes. This goes to show that proper ventilation in your workspace is of paramount importance, and thus can’t be put aside.
Overall, compared to waterjet cutting methods, there is a minimum amount of risk involved with laser cutting systems. The same is also true when it comes to the subsequent cleanup and the amount of waste produced.