Modern equipment is easier to maintain than even just a few years ago, and also requires much less maintenance than in years past. Much progress has been made in this area, but no machine is maintenance free yet. The factors that affect how often maintenance is required include: How the equipment is run The harder […]
Author Archives: APW WATERJET
Do you recycle the water?
Recycling systems are available. However, because waterjet systems use a small amount of water it is not economically viable for most users. waterjet http://waterjetapw.com http://waterjetapw.com
Is this pure water?
It is clean water. Most of our customers use softened tap water. Intensifier pumps should be supplied with filter cartridges that clean the water down to 0.5 micron. De-ionized or reverse osmosis systems are generally not recommended. These types of systems can make the water too clean, which makes the water aggressive and harmful to […]
How do we dispose of water/garnet?
Neither water nor garnet are toxic or hazardous in any way. Water, when properly filtered for turbidity, can be flush down to the drainage systems. The garnet waste can usually be dumped in a standard landfill. waterjet http://waterjetapw.com http://waterjetapw.com
How loud is it?
Noise from the waterjet is dependent upon the distance the supersonic jet is exposed to the open air. If you are cutting underwater, the noise level will be under 75 dB. If you are cutting above water, and especially if there is a large distance between the mixing tube and the work piece, the noise […]
What is the cost of the abrasive?
Abrasive will cost between $0.16 per pound to $0.40 per pound delivered, depending on the type and quantity you purchase. waterjet http://waterjetapw.com http://waterjetapw.com
What are the operating costs of a waterjet?
Hourly waterjet cutting machine cost ranges from $19 per hour for the small head (0.010/0.030) and up to $35 per hour for the large head (0.016/0.040). It does not include labor, lease, and depreciation. waterjet http://waterjetapw.com http://waterjetapw.com
What weight is required to press and hold down the workpiece?
Since the force exerted on the workpiece is very small (under 1 lb. for precision cuts and under 5 lbs. for average cuts), the need for very large and stiff fixtures is eliminated. Many customers use simple weights to hold the parts in place. article from: http://waterjetapw.com waterjet http://waterjetapw.com
What about programing APW Waterjet machine?
APW Waterjets are relatively easy to program as compare to any other waterjet cutting system. Our professional PC based waterjet software is capable of reading any 2D DXF files. Programming for abrasive waterjet is quick and easy. An operator with little experience should be able to learn how to program and operate the machine within one week. […]
How much abrasive is used?
For the most efficient waterjet cutting, waterjet cutting heads on a 55,000 psi intensifier use: 0.010/0.030 0.9 lb/min 0.014/0.040 1.4 lb/min 0.018/0.050 2.5 lb/min article from: http://waterjetapw.com waterjet http://waterjetapw.com
How long does the mixing tube last?
The highest quality ceramic carbide mixing tubes last 30% longer than other mixing tubes. A tube such as this can deliver 150 hours of cutting time for 0.020″ in diameter. Many users keep the mixing tubes longer and use them to cut parts which require looser tolerances. article from: http://waterjetapw.com waterjet http://waterjetapw.com
How long does the material support last?
You can expect hundreds of hours of production time from the support grating before the need to replacing waterjet. We recommend that, as long as you don’t cut just one pattern over the same section for thousands of parts, slats and grates can be shifted, swapped, and flipped just as with plasma and laser cutting. […]
What is the minimum water level depths?
In most waterjet systems 36 inches of water in the catchers dissipates the energy of the waterjet. article from: http://waterjetapw.com waterjet http://waterjetapw.com
When is maintenance required at the pump?
You need to replace the high pressure seal after 400 to 1200 hours of usage on a 55,000 psi intensifier and replace the seal after 200 to 600 hours of usage on a regular pump. article from: http://waterjetapw.com waterjet http://waterjetapw.com
How much water will you use when cutting at 55,000 psi?
Each 0.010″ orifice uses 0.5 gpm. Each 0.013″ orifice uses 0.82 gpm Each 0.016″ orifice uses 1.24 gpm article from: http://waterjetapw.com waterjet http://waterjetapw.com
What taper can I expect?
With a Waterjet system, you will experience virtually no taper. In the case of conventional waterjet cutting, the taper you get is a function of the cut speed. However, the worst taper you will get will be equal to the maximum kerf width at the top (example: 0.035″) and 0.000″. at the bottom. As you […]
At what pressure do you cut?
Waterjets cuts at 90,000psi. It is also the maximum intensifier pump pressure. Although higher pressures can result in higher maintenance cost on intensifier pumps especially on the seals, the result is higher cutting speed and efficiency. article from: http://waterjetapw.com waterjet http://waterjetapw.com
What kind of abrasive are you using?
Garnet is by far the most commonly used abrasive material. It is abundant, cheap, enhances cutting speed, increases tube life and reduces health hazards. Other abrasives include olivine sand, aluminum oxide, and some man-made materials. article from: http://waterjetapw.com waterjet http://waterjetapw.com
How thick can it cut?
Operators cut up to 8-inch steel and titanium in production. There have been cases where 12″ and even 15″ thick materials have been cut. However, majority of cutting from operators ranges from 1/4″ to 2″. article from: http://waterjetapw.com waterjet http://waterjetapw.com
Should I cut underwater?
Underwater waterjet cutting reduces the noise to under 75dB and eliminates material frosting within 1/16″ from the jet. The downside of this process is you need water level control on your catcher in order to see the underwater cutting process. Without the control, you need to work underwater and handle the waterjet cutting process. article from: […]