Owning a waterjet cutting machine can prove to be very beneficial for businesses, especially those in the manufacturing field. With advanced technologies and rapid development, waterjet cutting machines have become definite machines that can cut any material with amazing precision, without any trouble. So, businesses thinking of getting a waterjet cutting machine should rest assured that that is a very wise decision.
However, to make an even wiser decision, the next thing to think through to bring profit home is what kind of machine to purchase. There are so many machines out there in the market that it is easy to get confused and make the wrong investment.
There is no need to worry because this article will see all the necessary features that a good and reliable waterjet CNC cutting machine should have. Let us begin right away!
Table of Contents
Targeted materials that you will be cutting down
Think of the cuts you will have to make
Consider the size of the table
Think of the waste and water factors
Targeted materials that you will be cutting down
The first thing that you need to think of is what are the materials that you will be cutting with the machine. According to the materials that you cut, your waterjet cutting machine will need improvisations.
For example, if you need to cut sturdy materials daily, you would need to add some sort of grit material to the water stream to make precision cuts. In such cases, you need to keep in mind the following features for cutting aluminum plates, mild steel, or stones:
- A grit tank that has sufficient storage
- A grit tank that is easy to load and unload
- A grit tank that is easy to maintain and clean
If you do not require cutting sturdy materials, then a simple water jet stream should be more than enough. In that case, you need not worry about the capacity or loading features of the grit tank. You would not even require a high-pressure machine because you would only need to cut softer materials such as thin plastic or wood.
Think of the cuts you will have to make
The next thing you need to consider is the kind of cuts you make. Once you have decided on the materials you need to cut, the next most important thing to consider is the kind of cuts you will make. Depending on the complexity of the cuts, your machine needs to be upgraded and advanced.
Waterjet CNC cutting machines have something called an axis, which makes cuts possible. The more intricate the cuttings are, the better the axis should be, both in quality and number. Therefore, if you require cutting extremely complicated designs, your machine would require a fifth axis.
Otherwise, you could settle with a normal waterjet cutting machine with the general axis if you do not require too detailed or complicated cuts. Therefore, understanding your cutting requirements is very important to decide which machine would be best for your business.
Consider the size of the table
The next thing to consider while looking for the best waterjet cutting machine is the right table size. The table is basically where you will be placing your material for cutting. Earlier, there was not much flexibility on the table size.
You need to consider your usage and need for the machine to determine what table size would be perfect for your needs. Depending on your needs, you may opt for a large table or a small one. However, for that, you need to determine and understand your needs precisely. Here are the things you should think of before deciding on the table size:
- How big is the size of your office
- How big are the stock materials you need to cut
- How big will be the parts you are intending to make
Think of the waste and water factors
When you use a waterjet cutting machine, there will also be the production of waste. People often tend to make a mistake by overlooking these factors, only to suffer later. You do not have to repeat the same mistake. So make sure you consider these factors as well while you are purchasing your waterjet cutting machines.
However, the good thing is that contrary to older models, modern machines are less noisy and do not produce any harmful fumes or wastes. However, there are the following waste streams that you need to take measures for:
- Toxic water stream
The water stream is produced when cutting some toxic or poisonous material. You need to be extremely careful of these waste streams and should take proper care before disposing of them safely.
- Non-toxic water stream
This water stream is generated commonly for cutting usual substances. This is excess water with fine pieces of the material cut along with the grit from the water stream. These are not toxic and can easily be treated by separating the grit from the water before disposing of them.
Conclusion
So that is all you need to know before you decide to buy the perfect waterjet cutting machine. Waterjet steel cutting machines are favored by the industry as, contrary to their ancestors, they are less noisy, do not emit heat, or produce any harmful fumes or toxic waste.