News - No such thing as an impossible cut
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The Waterjet profile cutting machine installed at the Townsville workshop of Dawsons Engineering has proven to be a versatile and popular method of cutting materials that had previously been difficult or impossible to cut using conventional technology. The Waterjet can cut almost any material, with material thickness ranging from sheet and plate, to cast billets. The thickest cut so far measured more than 150mm. Industrial clients report that items cut using the Waterjet, such as stainless steel, mild steel, copper, aluminium, brass, bisalloy and tool steel, are cut to far finer tolerances than conventional means allow. In addition, no heat means that the parts are not affected by discolouration and the material properties are unchanged. Because the finished edge surfaces are usually ready for use they can be installed or welded into place with no further clean-up necessary. The Waterjet is an industrial robot, controlled by sophisticated computerisation and state-of-the-art servo-electric motors and drives. The precision of tolerances to plus or minus 0.1mm, and a kerf width (width of the cut) that can be set at less than 1mm, means that almost any shape can be produced, no matter how intricate. If you can imagine the design and sketch it, it can be made, and waste is kept to an absolute minimum. The beating heart of the Waterjet is a massive electric powered pump that delivers incredibly small amounts of water at extremely high pressure, up to 400,000kpa or 60,000psi. The high pressure water stream is focussed via a diamond orifice and is directed onto the material to be cut. The cut pattern is CAD controlled, and can produce the same part over and over, or can make a one-off part quicker than conventional methods. For more information, phone Dan Jackson or Dennis Green on (07) 4728 4190. |
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