Lasers Vs. Waterjets
Lasers Vs. Waterjets
(OP)
Our company is planning on buying a cutting machine, We are a sheetmetal fabricator company and we have an issue. What would be the best way to go a waterjet or a Laser machine?
what are the pros and cons of both machines. Please advise
thank
Juanito
what are the pros and cons of both machines. Please advise
thank
Juanito





RE: Lasers Vs. Waterjets
I think one thing you need to consider is how much floor space do you have for such a machine. Both are quite capable at cutting. I would think it really depends on the energy consumption of each one. Also, would you be able to maintain this machine with your current maintenance crews? Hope this helps
JeffdlS
RE: Lasers Vs. Waterjets
The main difference between the methods is in the finish. Laser cutting produces heat at the cutting point, which can leave little drops of slag attached to the edge of the cut, and possibly a little blueing of the metal. These require some finishing work, if you are trying to produce very high quality work.
Water jetting is cold cutting, and leaves a clean edge.
Apart from that, you have the normal equations regarding capital cost and running costs.
Regards,
Pete.
RE: Lasers Vs. Waterjets
The only downsides:
Very high accuacy is a no-no. Because it's a jet of water, the 'cutter' is actually slightly cone shaped. (we're talking 0.001" or so).This problem is obviuously a function of the depth of cut, so might not be a problem. In a similar way, you tend to get an angle on corners unless you back off the feed, as the jet 'bends' out as you go round. This is a very, very minor problem really, and is not really an issue.
Another minor headache is unless you have a posh machine, every few months you need to shut the thing off, drain the tank, and dig out all the spent garnet thats settled to the bottom. A pump and settling tank solves this, so again: minor worry.
Also, if you have to cut in air, for any reason, (to big a job, can't get the material wet) it's incredibly noisy. Cuttin g submerged is almost silent however.
Another advantage over a laser is it's very very simple. It's just a big pump pushing a lot of water through a small hole. Not much to go wrong there. Also, no worry about sparks, laser radiation, or any of that H&S stuff. You don't even really need guarding on it. Very easy to set up too, just fill it with water, switch it on, and you're ready to cut.
For more good stuff, go to www.aquajet.co.uk
I'm totally impressed by these things, and would go water jet all the way. I keep boring my collegues with how amazing it is!
RE: Lasers Vs. Waterjets
Dave