Can You Take the Pressure?

It comes down to, what is the most cost effective way, be it Waterjet, laser or plasma. Each has its own qualities, both good and bad.

Even though admirer of this technology , i cannot neglect other technologies that are equally good , like plasma , oxy-acetyle , laser , tool cutting having its own speciality related to applications , controls , abilities , working environment , and so .High speed water jets carry future prospective with effectivness , it require just electricity , water as consumable , abbrasive for through cutting upto 1.5 meter most of the hard materials , they are silent ,comparatively safe ? , non hazardeous to operator and environment , apart from laser systems can be CNC controlled , require less tools to be changed due to break down and wear and tear . High pressures don`t mean better effectivness equivalent to high speed spindles in cnc cutters , high temperatures in plasma , high watt power in laser , it is only work load , and optimum power in all technologies .

I have never been a fan of the Water Jet sales reps. More specifically the knuckleheaded management that jumps without consulting the workforce.

Clearly this technology has its place but its place is not everywhere. I remember the first time the metal grate fell to the bottom of the tub. Seems that the stream will cut right through. Imagine that. Or the lame brained shop owner that wanted to cut styro-foam that was to be used to ship electronics. Good grief.

I don't know, I just never cared much for the machine. Unless you have a big area where the noise, the wet, the high operating costs and the slurry won't bother you.

With all the technology out there now, it's like comparing a Star-Wars blaster to a light saber.

cr3, 2¢

Your post shows an excellent example of misapplications and lack of training as well as knowledge or lack of for the application of Waterjets.

But a waterjet does have its place, but it has to be applied, and applied correctly.

I know of company's buying it due to the nature that it is only cutting with water and a small amount of garnet, and were impressed by that,

As far as consulting the work force, that's fine but they also do not know what the WJ can or cannot do. But bringing in their opinions on their area of expertise (with a facilitator, otherwise opinions can be endless)

Examples of jobs applying a WJ, cutting types of ceramics or glass boards,

We were milling large sheets of FRP for ships storage containers using CNC routers, as wells as insulated glass boards and ceramics. These burned through tooling on a very fast rate, This would have been a good application for WJ. At the time when we were doing it, a WJ was not developed where it is today.

Also cutting through material where you want to control the heat. Keeping in mind about the characteristics of a WJ such as the hazing effect it has during penetration.

As far as noise, if a 4" wafer board, (corrugated cardboard approx. 4" thick is placed on the bed, the waterjet basically whispers, This reduces the height of items to be cut.

The other options, such as flooding your parts, its not a good idea with the currents generated the parts can move. And with out it doing it, yes it is deafening. As well as the speed of the WJ.

But WJ has its place, just as plasma and lasers do. It's correctly applying it as well as preparing a area for it.

As far as consulting the work force, that's fine but they also do not know what the WJ can or cannot do. But bringing in their opinions on their area of expertise (with a facilitator, otherwise opinions can be endless)

I feel, and always shall, that the inclusion of those who operate equipment from day to day are an invaluable resource and should be involved in rep meetings etc.

As for me, I think they, quite frankly suck. They are loud, messy, expensive and often require a lot of second op work. I have seen the machine earn its way and I still would not buy one.

inclusion of the operators and such, without a doubt,

And my first experiences with wj, were the same as yours,

company I work for now, uses card board bricks, I can not believe how this improves the environment in the area, less dust, less water (spash) and especially less noise.

for what they are using it for, a plasma would have been better, because the wj it is slooooow and is expensive to operate.

(cutting out low density board and ceramic insulation for tubular heat exchanger offsets it slightly)

My experiences were quite a many years ago. I am certain there have been many notable improvements since '88-'90.

I guess that goes to show what a bad first impression will do to a guy.