Waterjet cutting of metal by own hands. Equipment for waterjet cutting of metal

New high-tech methods of processing materials are often based on the principles of natural phenomena. The hydroabrasive technique just refers to this and repeats the process of erosion. Its essence lies in the influence of the aqueous medium on the surface of the material. Of course, for the production sector, this technology has been optimized, for example, by combining liquid with foreign elements. In addition, waterjet cutting of metal involves feeding the jet under strong pressure, resulting in a high processing speed.

Features of the technological process

As already noted, the technology is based on the principle of natural erosion. That is, the physical effect on the material being processed is due to a high-speed jet mixed with solid abrasives. In the course of the operation, the high-speed flow of solid-phase elements performs the detachment and removal from the processing site of fine metal particles. The efficiency with which hydroabrasive cutting of metal occurs depends on the many parameters of the organization of this process. For example, the composition of the jet, the water flow and the pressure force are important. Separate attention deserves and the abrasive material - experts select a fraction in accordance with the requirements for the characteristics of cutting.

Unlike other processing methods, this technique does not assume deforming and thermal effects. This means that waterjet cutting of metal allows preserving the original physical and mechanical properties of the billet. But to achieve the expected result it is necessary to use special equipment.

Cutting equipment

Usually special operations are used to perform such operations. As their basis are bearing supports made of stainless metal. To maintain the workpieces, quick-change ribs are used, which also allow the supports to be protected against the working jet. In order to protect the work area from dust and noise, the machine is also equipped with a mechanism for rapid water management. That is, during the operation, the material to be processed can be completely in an aqueous medium. As for the operational capabilities, the waterjet cutting machine enables to handle stainless steel with a thickness of up to 200 mm. It is noteworthy that the hardness indicators for machines of this type do not matter. A thin high-speed jet with a diameter of 1 mm is able to perform a sharp cutting with a high tolerance.

Auxiliary devices

To improve the accuracy of cutting, some machine models are also provided with positioning devices. They are represented by inductive linear sensors, by means of which the operator can achieve increased accuracy of fixation. True, much depends on the execution of the axes of movement - in the best models the combination of guides and positioning sensors is supplemented by smooth running and optimal speed of movement. Also, the waterjet cutting machine can be equipped with an abrasive tank. In the process of work, it automatically replenishes the reserves of this component, being guided by the information of the sensors of control.

Manual Cutting Machines

Typically, this category of machines include models that do not have a CNC. In other words, the management of the workflow is shifted to some extent by the operator. The user must manually set the cutting angle, and in some cases also fix the position of the functional setting. But under the condition that the operating rules are observed, in this case, too, one can count on the high accuracy with which waterjet cutting of the metal will be performed. Equipment without software is supplied with the same technical nodes as the more advanced models. Therefore, theoretically, the quality of execution should be maintained at the optimum level. Moreover, in some situations self-adjustment and control of cutting allow to achieve higher processing results.

Technique for cutting with your own hands

Managing the cutting process in manual mode means that the user will independently feed the workpieces and control their movement with positioning. Also in some cases, the list of operator tasks includes the regulation of the cooling system. In practice waterjet cutting of metal by own hands is carried out by means of special buttons. For example, for positioning, the operator must enter several values by coordinates. But even manual control is not completely freed from control by the electronic system. So, when entering erroneous data, the technician returns the values of the performance indicators to the initial position.

Advantages and disadvantages of technology

The merits of cutting this type include the clarity of the cutting line, the ability to cope with almost any metals, as well as explosion and fire safety operations. Among the shortcomings of this treatment are the low speed when working with sheet steel, the low level of wear resistance of functional elements and the high cost of consumables, that is, abrasive. Nevertheless, economics justifies itself. For example, services of waterjet cutting of metal allow to qualitatively cope with responsible operations at preparation of a material for the subsequent installation. Moreover, sandwich panels, honeycomb sheets and other cellular building materials can only be cut in this way. To improve productivity, many companies also practice batch cutting, which saves time.

Conclusion

Cutting qualities of abrasive materials have long been used in various fields. On a similar principle, in particular, the sandblasting tool works, allowing to perform high-quality and fast grinding of surfaces. In turn, waterjet cutting of metal provides high-quality result in work with different sheets and designs. In addition to the accuracy of the cutting, it is possible to note the absence of harmful processes, which are accompanied by traditional methods of processing. In particular, thermal and mechanical influences in rare cases allow us to do without deformation of the zone surrounding the cutting site. But to pay for the high-quality result of hydroabrasive processing is a high cost of consumables - the more effective the abrasive, the higher its price.