Cutting Developments in WaterjetLaird Parry, Sr. Applications EngineerOMAX Corporation

“Waterjet” Cutting Systems

The fastest growing manufacturing technology in the

world

“Waterjet” Cutting System Categories

Pure Waterjets for soft materials: Special-purpose systems--baby diapers to

granola bars

Abrasive Waterjets for harder materials: Special-purpose systems for special shapes Standardized systems for cutting 2-D+ parts from

almost any material

Key Benefits of AWJ Cutting

• Cold cutting process—no heat effect, no changes in material properties

• Cuts virtually any material

• Small mechanical forces

• Ability to cut intricate shapes

• Simple to program and set up for short-run or one-off parts or prototypes but also applicable to mass production

Typical “Standardized” AWJ System

Small Standardized AWJ Cutting System

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Large Standardized AWJ Cutting System

Rapid Growth in Accessories for expanded capability

• Nozzles

• Piercing systems for special materials

• Locating systems

• Controllable Z-axes

• Angled cutting

• Rotary axis

• Software

The AWJ Aspiration Nozzle

Higher Power for Thicker Material

Narrow Cut for Small Parts

Enhanced Piercing Systems

Special Piercing Techniques

Brittle Materials

Low-pressure piercing Pressure ramp-up Abrasive feed enhancement

Weak Materials

Mechanical drilling

Position Locating to Add AWJ Feature to a Part

The Challenge:

• No “hard edge” to locate from

• Cutting tool only exists when you are actually cutting

Position Locating Accessories--Basic

Laser Feature Finder

Position Locating Accessories--Precise

Precision Optical Locator

Position Locating Accessories--Precise

Precision Optical Locator

Controllable Z-axis—Contour Following

Controllable Z-axis—Programmable

Angled Cutting—Simple Manual System

Angled Cutting—Fully Programmable

Angled Cutting—Fully Programmable

Angled Cutting—To Eliminate Taper Automatically and Quickly

Programmable Rotary Axis

“Wrapped” Cylindrical Part

Programmable Rotary Axis

Complex Pipe Intersections

Pipe Intersections

Software Enhancements

• Improved control of etching and parts marking

• Parts nesting

• Maintenance tracking

• System monitoring

• Control interface with other machines

• Improved cutting models for faster production

Etching—Traditional

Etched/Textured Part

Etching—Deep Embossing

Etching--Artwork

Part Nesting for Material Savings

“Scrap” Inventory Control

Maintenance Tracking & System Monitoring

Control Interface with Other Machines

The Importance of Motion Control and Cutting Models--What really counts in making a faster part?

Average speed is far more important than maximum speed

Maximum speed is dependent on cutting power Average speed is dependent on cutting power

and motion control The more complex the part, the more important

motion control becomes

Early corner control—Avg Speed = 41% of Max

Advanced corner control—Avg = 66% of Max

The Bottom Line

Enhancements and new accessories will continue to be introduced, based on user needs

The bottom line will be the ability of AWJ users to make a wider range of parts faster, cheaper and more accurately—in many cases using an AWJ machine that they already own!

Questions? See us in Booth 1823

Thank You