Precision Water Jet Cutting

Welcome To Water Jet Cutting BY Aquablast

Tomorrow’s precision cutting, today...

Aquablast are experts in precision waterjet machining in virtually any material. At our Suffolk based facility we operate Jet Edge waterjet cutting tables up to 4m x 1.6m with 5-axis capability; laser mapping and state-of-the-art nesting software for the absolute most economic use of your material.

As long-time UK distributors for Minnesota-based Jet Edge, we have over 20 years experience with precision, ultra high pressure (UHP) waterjet ‘cold cutting’ systems and the hydraulic intensifier pumps (up to 90,000psi) which drive them.

We can offer in-depth technical advice and support on waterjet cutting applications and system maintenance, backed by the system manufacturer, as well as a ‘job shop’ capability for any of your precision cutting requirements. Let us cut a test piece for you, whatever the material, to see just how spectacular is our accuracy and cut finish.

Water Jet Cutting

Water jet cutting benefits

CNC-controlled precision abrasive waterjet profiling has major advantages

CNC-controlled precision abrasive waterjet profiling has major advantages: 

  • Machine almost any material – metals, alloys, ceramics, stone, laminates, plastics, composites – even ‘sandwiches’ of different materials; 

  • No heat-affected zone or discolouration; no toxic fumes or dust generated – precisely cut even fruit, poultry or meat and many other food products;

  • Cut material up to at least 250mm thick; no warping on very thin material; cut multiple sheets with minimal loss in cut quality – waterjet machining becomes more cost-effective and competitive the thicker the material gets;

  • 5-axis capability for easily cutting counter-sinks and bevels up to 60 degrees;

  • Tight kerf width – cut to 0.1mm; extremely precise CNC controlled nesting of parts minimises material wastage, especially with high value stock like titanium, Inconel or Hastalloy;

  • Same tool set-up used for almost all applications – great time-saver;

  • Accuracy and cut finish so good that no, or very little, finishing work required;

  • Collection and delivery service in East Anglia if needed. Fast turnaround assured.

Collection and delivery service in East Anglia if needed. Fast turnaround assured.

Water Jet Cutting

A new age in precision material cutting

Many materials can be cut with a pure waterjet – no abrasives required. Thin plastics, rubber or foam rubber, felt, multiple layers of paper or cardboard, food, even plasterboard.

Knives will compress and distort many materials – a UHP waterjet does not contact the material and makes a precise clean cut.

Add small quantities of abrasives to the waterjet and virtually anything can be cut – in fact, the only material unsuitable for waterjet cutting is tempered glass – all other types of glass, including bullet-proof glass, can be cut with ease.

Tempered glass, however, will normally shatter when the abrasive waterjet attempts to pierce the material to initiate a cut.

The abrasive waterjet is “ignorant” – it will cut through multiple layers of the hardest materials with no tool changes required – but it’s also very smart, holding virtually any tolerance demanded and with no dust and the absolute minimum material wastage thanks to precision nesting software.

Water Jet Cutting