Skip to Content
Exit

Archives

Author Archives: South Shore Manufacturing

  1. What to Look for When Choosing a Waterjet Cutting Company

    Leave a Comment

    Choosing the right waterjet cutting company is paramount when embarking on a project that requires precision cutting of various materials. Factors like experience, capabilities, customer service, quality, and turnaround time need careful consideration. With incredible versatility across industries, waterjet technology has many commercial and industrial applications.

    However, not all waterjet companies are equal in their ability to deliver a professional, high-performance solution tailored to your specific needs. Fortunately, this guide will outline some key things you must evaluate to ensure you make an informed choice when selecting the right waterjet cutting services and feel confident your project will be completed efficiently and as specified.

    Essential Considerations When Choosing a Waterjet Cutting Service

    A waterjet cutting system utilizes a fine jet of water at extremely high pressure to accurately cut through materials often too hard or delicate for a laser. Unfortunately, not all waterjet cutting services near you produce the same consistency and quality. Therefore, it’s fundamental to consider some elements before settling for one.

    That said, below are some vital considerations to help you choose the right waterjet cutting company:

    Registered Quality System

    Stringent industries, such as the aerospace and medical industries, need accurate and precise waterjet cutting services with superior quality control. As such, you must choose a waterjet cutting company that has a registered quality system and is certified to produce or deliver outstanding outcomes.

    Examples of quality systems include:

    • AS9100D
    • ISO 9001:2015
    • ISO 13485:2016

    The Number of Machines They Use

    For large-volume orders, looking for a waterjet cutting service with multiple machines is best, as it gives clients peace of mind that they can efficiently handle your requirements. It also ensures a backup plan is available in case of any machine failure, minimizing downtime and delays.

    Timely Quotes

    You should consider working with a waterjet cutting company that can provide timely quotes to prevent delays in your project’s planning and execution. A reputable company can quickly offer quotes based on your specifications.

    If a company fails to provide a quote within the day, it indicates poor time management and customer service. A professional company will ensure you have the quotes you need within the day – most companies can even give the quotes within an hour!

    Material Versatility

    A part of ensuring your project’s success is selecting a waterjet cutting service with experience working with a wide range of materials. This versatility indicates their knowledge and expertise in handling materials with varying properties, making them the ideal choice for your project. Furthermore, most companies should also source materials from certified and trusted suppliers, saving you time and effort to find top-grade and suitable materials for your application.

    Give Professional Advice

    Tolerance and edge finish are fundamental in any application, and a professional waterjet cutting company should be able to advise you on the best way to achieve it. If there is a more cost-effective or efficient method, they should inform and guide you through the process.

    The importance of tolerance and finish:

    • Tolerance refers to the margin of error allowed in the cutting process. The tighter the tolerance, the more precise and accurate the cut.
    • Edge finish is how smooth or rough the edges are after the cutting process. It’s vital for applications that require a clean and polished finish.
    • Fast cutting speed can negatively impact the tolerance and finish of your part or component.

    It’s also your job to ask their tolerance limits and the edge finish you can expect from them. Otherwise, you won’t determine if they can meet your specifications. Moreover, a professional company should also be able to provide samples of their previous work for you to judge their quality.

    Only Choose Expert Waterjet Cutting Services from Pioneers

    Have you been searching for professional waterjet cutting services near you? Take advantage of the abovementioned factors to find a reputable company that can improve your bottom line, such as South Shore Manufacturing. We’re leaders in precision waterjet cutting, offering exceptional quality and timely delivery. With our state-of-the-art technology and experienced team, we can handle projects, big or small.

    Contact us today to learn more about our waterjet cutting services. You can also request a quote, and we’ll find a cost-effective solution tailored to your project’s needs!

  2. What Is Waterjet Cutting?

    Leave a Comment

    Waterjet cutting is a manufacturing process where highly pressurized water is fired through a ruby or diamond nozzle into a mixing chamber. The pressure makes a vacuum and pulls garnet sand into the stream, which is then shot at the object being cut. The sand particles wear down, or cut, the material. Waterjet cutting is used globally for a range of applications, allowing machinists everywhere to cut many different materials with precision.

    At South Shore Manufacturing, we offer waterjet cutting services for the production of parts from prototype to high volume. Since 1985, we have specialized in precision machining and have the experience and knowledge to handle your most technical and challenging jobs. Continue reading to learn more about waterjet cutting and how it works.

    What Is a Waterjet Cutter?

    A water jet cutter is an industrial machine that fires a high-pressure stream of water to erode a narrow line within a piece of material. Depending on the material’s density and compound, a granular abrasive is added to the waterjet to increase the cutting power. Listed below are some of the main components of a standard waterjet cutter.

    • Waterjet Nozzle: The cutting nozzle uses a mixing chamber and a tube to allow for the abrasive to carefully mix in with the high-pressure water so that efficient cutting can take place.
    • Water Pump: The pump provides an extremely measured control of pressure to provide water for the cutting process.
    • Catcher Tank: The catcher tank eliminates the pressure from the abrasive jet after it has passed through the material being cut.
    • Controller: This allows you to control the position and motion of the nozzle to ensure precision cuts.
    • Table: The table is a sturdy, ruggedized platform made of mild steel that is built to last and can often be replaced if needed.

    How Does Waterjet Cutting Work?

    As previously mentioned, water jet cutting is a manufacturing process where highly pressurized water and garnet sand is fired at a material to create precision edges. This is known as an accelerated erosion process. By firing a stream of and highly pressured water, the water jet cutter erodes the material into a desired shape.

    Machinists use an ultra-high pressure pump to pressurize water to levels generally above 40,000 psi, producing enough energy to cut the material. The water is then focused through a small stone to create a highly pressurized stream of water.

    What Are the Benefits of Waterjet Cutting?

    Water jet cutting provides manufacturers with versatility and flexibility that is unmatched. The variety of benefits linked to water jet cutting is what sets this technology apart from competitors like laser and saw cutting.

    Edge Quality

    Water jet cutting delivers unmatched edge quality due to factors like water speed, pressure, nozzle size, and abrasive flow rate. This often eliminates the need for secondary finishing, saving time, cost, and enhancing production efficiency.

    Efficient & Cost Effective

    Water jet cutting stands out as a cost-effective option because it’s a cold cutting process. Unlike hot cutting techniques that risk warping parts, waterjet’s cold cutting minimizes material waste. The process also enhances workshop efficiency by requiring minimal edge treatment or secondary finishing, allowing you to move on to the next project while others refine their edges.

    Accurate Internal Cut-outs

    With cutting accuracy ranging from ±0.1 to ±0.2mm, waterjet cutting excels in internal cutouts. The water jet cutting process effortlessly produces artwork, custom patterns, unique designs, and logos, offering businesses the capacity to enhance customer service.

    No Heat Affected Zones

    Manufacturers grappled with heat distortion and hardened edges before the advent of water jet cutting. Previous cutting methods, generating high heat, posed substantial issues for workshops. Heat zones within materials caused structural changes, resulting in problems like warping, inaccurate cuts, or weak points. Water jet cutting, with its cold cutting process, now offers a solution, eliminating these issues for workshops.

    Choose South Shore Manufacturing For Precision Waterjet Cutting Services

    If you’re looking for a manufacturing partner with precision water jet cutting capabilities, choose South Shore Manufacturing. For more information on our available water jet cutting services, contact us today and feel free to request a quote if you already know what you’re looking for.