Everything There Is to Know About Waterjet Cutting

Waterjet cutting is a process in which materials are cut by high-pressure water. It has a range of applications and can cut irregular shapes from almost any material with exceptional precision and edge quality. These characteristics make it the preferred cutting method for precision, high-quality parts used in aircraft, automotive, architectural systems and more. Curves, straight cuts, internal holes and lettering, once cut by hand, can now cut in a fraction of the time.

How Does a Waterjet Work?

CNC-controlled cutting head uses a high-speed jet of water in the waterjet cutting process to cut the workpiece along a programmed path. Most materials are cut using a granular abrasive, such as garnet or aluminum oxide is added to the water stream. Water jets can be used to cut foam, food, rubber and other soft materials without using abrasives. In contrast, water jets with abrasive are required for cutting metals, stone, wood, ceramics and glass.

Most waterjet cutting machines can be easily switched between pure waterjet cutting and abrasive waterjet cutting, allowing the process to be used for almost all material types. Although waterjet cutting machines can be configured in several ways, they usually consist of the following pieces:

High-Pressure Pump

Waterjet cutters use high-pressure water pumps, which create 40,000 to 90,000 psi pressure to produce a supersonic cutting stream.

Cutting Head and Nozzle

The pressurized water flow passes through a jewel orifice with the diameter of a hair, forming a sharply defined water jet at the cutting head. When cutting with the abrasive water stream, the stream draws a predetermined amount of granular abrasive. The supersonic stream then passes through a mixing tube or waterjet nozzle where the water accelerates the abrasive. This combined flow has enough kinetic energy to cut through over a foot thick of hard materials.

Catcher Tank

After cutting the piece, the energy of the jet is absorbed in a water-filled collection tank.

Abrasive Delivery System

A pressurized abrasive hopper delivers the garnet through piping to the cutting head. The garnet is metered into the cutting head with the abrasive glow control system.

CNC Motion Control System

A high-precision motion control system precisely guides the multi-axis cutting head along a predefined cutting path. This system consists of a software program, an operator interface, a CNC control panel and servo drive motors.

What Can a Waterjet Cut?

The waterjet cutter can also be adapted for different materials. This flexibility makes it possible to cut through an incredible range of materials, including:

Water cutting is a cold-cutting technique that allows metals to be cut without deforming them or thermally altering their properties. Carbon steel, aluminum and titanium are often waterjet cut to produce high-quality, high-precision components used in critical applications.
While superalloys are challenging to cut using traditional methods, waterjet cutting allows them to be cut quickly and accurately. Superalloy parts which has been waterjet cut are used in everything from jet and rocket engines to submarines and nuclear reactors.
Water jets can be used to cut plastics of different densities and thicknesses, making it possible to produce high-quality plastics used in medical devices, food manufacturing equipment and more.
Thanks to its ability to cut through glass without breaking it, waterjet cutting is ideal for making mirrors, window panels, tabletops, solar panels and other custom-shaped glass products.
Stone, tiles, marble, granite and other materials can be efficiently and accurately cut to different shapes with the waterjet. Waterjets are typically used to carve decorative inlays and medallions.
Waterjet cutting is ideal for difficult-to-cut ceramic materials, making it the preferred cutting option for electrically insulated ceramic parts used in aerospace.
Waterjet cutting can produce the intricate shape and profiles required to form of custom foam cases, dividers, insert materials, padding and other products. Waterjets cut foam without using an abrasive.

Benefits of Waterjet Cutting

Some of the advantages that distinguish waterjet cutting from other cutting techniques are:

Cost-Effectiveness

Compared to other precision cutting methods, the operating costs of a waterjet cutter is highly competitive. Additional cost- and time-saving benefits are realized through fast drawing-to-cutting transition times, quick setup and rapid cutting speeds – enabling reduced times for carrying out the work.

Superior Edge Quality

Smooth cuts created by waterjet are kept to a minimum burr, saving time and money by reducing or eliminating the need for post finishing.

Exceptional Accuracy

Waterjet cutting can achieve tolerances as close as +/- 0.002” (+/- 0.05mm), which depends on the system. This capability makes it the preferred choice for high-precision parts requiring complex design and tight tolerances. Where higher accuracy is needed, waterjets are a natural fit for finish machining processes because a waterjet cut has pristine, unhardened cut faces.

Green Benefits

Waterjet cutting is an inherently environmentally friendly process that eliminates the slag, toxic fumes and smoke common with thermal cutting methods such as plasma or laser cutting. Also, no chemicals or lubricants are used in waterjet cutting. In addition, most of the waste is shredded garnet – an environmentally benign by-product.

Interested in waterjet cutting? Check out Vehglass in Melbourne, Victoria. Their 25 years of industry experience makes their work unparalleled.

Posted by : Paul
4 August 2021
Automotive

Changing Tires All By Yourself: Everything You Need to Know

Of course, experts like Center State Auto will be more than happy to help you change your car’s tires. But just like submitting the declaration, tire change can be postponed until the last minute, and you may want to prove that you can at least fix it yourself. But don’t worry, in this article, we tell you everything you need to know to change your tire quickly and safely! When you change the tires on your car, you must make sure you have the right equipment and tools for the job. Keep safety in mind when changing tires. Ensure your vehicle is level and secure with pallets. Also, do not forget to retighten your wheel bolts.

Step 1 – Apply the Parking Brake

When changing tires, make sure the car is on a level surface. Be sure to apply the parking brake. To change wheels, you need a jack that can handle the car’s weight. The jack in the car works in an emergency, but it is often smaller and not very stable. A real jack is an easier and safer alternative.

Step 2 – Loosen Wheel Bolts

Loosen the wheel bolts half a turn while the car is still on the ground. This is a typical step where the job becomes so much easier if you have the right tools. Loosening the wheel bolts with a rim cross is something you hopefully only need to do in the event of a puncture; here, you would instead use a sleeve with traction.

Step 3 – Raise the Car

The car has a point at each wheel that is intended for the jack. If you are unsure where the points are, you will find the information in the car’s manual.

Step 4 – Use Pallbock

When you have hoisted the car up, you need to push in a sturdy and approved pallet stand that can also handle the car’s weight. The pallet is a safety measure; if the jack breaks down, it prevents the vehicle from collapsing.

Step 5 – Loosen the Wheels

Unscrew the wheel bolts completely. Avoid laying them directly on the ground to avoid dirt in the threads of the wheel bolts. Then you can remove the wheel, but keep in mind that it is heavy.

Step 6 – Check the Brake Pads

It may not be the first thing you think of in connection with a wheel change, but now you have a golden opportunity to inspect the brake pads on the car.

Step 7 – Lubricate Wheel Bolts

When reassembling the wheel, be sure to lubricate the wheel bolts with a bit of grease. It counteracts rust and wears. But do not take too much, then excess grease can be thrown into the brake system.

Step 8 – Screw on the Wheel

Now tighten the wheel again. Tighten the bolts crosswise.

Step 9 – Lower the Car

Now you can remove the pallet and gently lower the car.

Step 10 – Pull with the Correct Torque

Check the wheel bolts with a torque wrench. How hard the wheel bolts should be tightened is stated in the car’s instruction manual. If you pull too hard, the threads can be destroyed. If you pull too loosely, the wheel can come loose. When you have driven about ten miles after changing wheels, it is time to retighten the bolts for safety.

Step 11 – Check Tire Pressure

Check that you have the correct air pressure in the tires. The right air pressure makes the car safer, and you also consume less fuel.

Step 12 – Store the Tires

Clean the wheels and put them in a tire bag, especially if you are transporting the wheels.

We hope this guide truly helps you, and you’ll be able to change your tires like a real pro!

Posted by : Paul
23 April 2021
Automotive

7 Reasons To Get Your Car Windows Tinted

Have you been thinking about tinting your car windows for a while but still have doubts? In this article, we mention 7 advantages of tinted windows; some of the benefits you may already know, but others you may not yet.

1) UV Rays Are Avoided By up to 99 Percent.

In addition to the fact that ultraviolet light is terrible for the interior of your vehicle, you are exposed to large doses of UV-A and UV-B radiation on long trips. The most dangerous can cause your skin to turn red, burn and, in the worst case, you can even get skin cancer. UV A has the same effects as UV B but to a lesser extent. As humans, we are very sensitive to these radiations, especially babies and young children who should be well protected. A good window tint can protect you, your baby and/or your young children. It reduces 99% of harmful UV rays (A and B). You protect your children and yourself against skin cancer and counteract the skin aging process.

2) Restriction Of the Outside View

A thief approaches your car to take a look at what’s in it but soon realizes that he has no, or very limited, view inside your car. Therefore, your car ceases to be a target thanks to the tinted windows. Lucky for you, but the thief will have to choose, unfortunately, a more accessible and therefore different prey.

3) Delays a Robbery

It is not difficult to imagine that a thief has little time for what he wants to do. In such situations, the thief often thinks, “I have to be quick.” The “robbery process” is as follows:

1) First of all, the thief has to look carefully inside your car to see if there are any valuable or valuable objects in it.

2) The thief has to keep a close eye on the surroundings.

3) The thief knocks on the car window or knocks it down

4) He has to take out or even unscrew, pull or knock things out. In short: it has to go smoothly and quickly.

Fortunately, (good) window films have another advantage that will make it even more difficult for thieves: the glass fragments of your car windows will not fly out in all directions when broken or thrown inside, but will be held tightly together.

4) The Interior of Your Car is Well-Protected

The sun’s rays can make the interior of your car very hot. Over time, your interior will sag, and discolouration will occur. A good window tint can also prevent this. Thanks to the UV-reducing effect of the particular window film, the surface temperature can be reduced by up to 16 °C, and the interior and other elements of your car will fade less quickly. Since your car will be cooler with the car windows blacked out, you will also use your air conditioner less, leading to fuel savings.

5) More Protection In Case of Accidents

No matter how well you drive, sometimes, unfortunately, you can’t avoid an accident. In an accident, shards of glass from car windows often fly in all directions, so cuts can rarely be avoided. Tinted car windows keep the glass shards together in the event of an accident, giving you more protection.

6) Less Inconvenience

You’re driving in the dark, and an oncoming car turns on its high beams: very annoying! These oncoming vehicles often appear out of nowhere to blind you. They cause many inconveniences and can even cause accidents; many accidents happen because of oncoming traffic drivers’ headlights. Night goggles help with this but also tinted car windows reduce this annoying glare as much as possible.

7) Looks Tough and Elegant

You want to be unique and different? Tinted car windows give your car an elegant and chic look. Plus, with a business car, you can also give the impression of being a little sportier.

If you want to have your automotive glass changed or replaced, the highly trained technicians at Vehglass in Melbourne, VIC, strive to provide exceptional service using high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology. They also offer custom automotive glass-cutting services. Contact them for more information.

Posted by : Paul
7 April 2021
Automotive

Category Archives: Automotive