Unveiling the Precision of Water Jet Cutting
Welcome to The Rubber Company, where innovation meets precision in our diverse range of manufacturing processes. One of our key manufacturing processes is Water Jet Cutting—a technique that stands out for its versatility and precision in cutting a wide array of materials.
What is Water Jet Cutting?
Water Jet Cutting is a process where a supersonic jet of water, often mixed with abrasives, is employed to cut through a multitude of sheet materials, ranging from soft foam to sturdy titanium. At The Rubber Company, we utilise both water-only cutting and abrasive water jet cutting techniques to achieve intricate and complex profiles.
How it Works:
The process involves supplying water to the cutting nozzle at extremely high pressures, reaching up to 4,000 bar (60,000 psi). In abrasive water jet cutting, sharp material particles, often garnet, are introduced into the mix, creating a cutting beam of 1mm (0.04 in.) in diameter. The resulting high-velocity jet is then dissipated by a water bath beneath the workpiece, which is continuously sieved, cleaned, and recycled.
Quality Matters:
One standout advantage of water jet technology is its cold process nature, eliminating the production of a heat-affected zone (HAZ). This characteristic is crucial for materials with a limited temperature range capacity. Additionally, the absence of discolouration along the cut edge allows for the precision cutting of pre-printed or coated materials.
Applications Across Industries:
Initially embraced by the aerospace and advanced automotive sectors, water jet cutting has become an indispensable part of our manufacturing process at The Rubber Company. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications beyond its initial adopters.
Environmental Friendliness:
An eco-friendly aspect of water jet cutting is the absence of hazardous materials or dangerous vapours during the process. The water used is typically sourced from the mains, cleaned, and recycled for continuous use, minimising environmental impact.
Cut Edge Finish:
Water jet cutting produces a matte surface finish. The pure water jet method results in a cleaner cut compared to abrasive systems. The choice of abrasive particles, much like sandpaper with different grit sizes, affects the surface finish quality. Finer grit sizes (higher numbers) result in slower but higher-quality surface finishes.
Intricate Shapes and Unmatched Precision:
Water jet cutting, does not create stresses in the workpiece, allowing for the fabrication of small, intricate, and complex profiles. Most glass materials, ranging from 0.5mm to 10cm thick, can be cut, with the material’s hardness determining the maximum thickness.
Tailoring Precision:
Variable pressures achievable with water jet cutting machines enable us at The Rubber Company to tailor each cut to the specific material. This ensures consistent finishes and tolerances across all our water jet cut gaskets, allowing us to cut thick and laminated materials with ease—particularly beneficial for delicate processes like manufacturing glass-reinforced gaskets.
Water jet cutting stands as a testament to precision and adaptability in the manufacturing world. At The Rubber Company, we leverage this cutting-edge technology to ensure the highest quality and precision across our diverse product range. The eco-friendly and versatile nature of water jet cutting positions it as a cornerstone in modern manufacturing, meeting the demands of various industries with finesse and efficiency.