Laser and Waterjet Cutting

LASER CUTTING

Laser cutting is a cost effective process for rapid and accurate cutting of two dimensional parts from stainless steel and steel with thickness from 16 GA to 1/2". For higher quantity runs this process is generally more accurate and less expensive than waterjet cutting. Our cutting process uses a laser beam, with either nitrogen or oxygen gas to facilitate the cutting. There is little, or no clean up or deburring on all but the thicker stainless steel parts.

TOLERANCES

Laser tolerance is primarily determined by thickness of material.
From 26GA to 3/16" a tolerance of +/- .005 can be expected.
With 3/16 to 1/2" the tolerance would be +/- .010.

IDEAL PARTS

*Finished Parts

  • Panels
  • Clevis Plates
  • Hoops
  • Gussets
  • Flat Patterns
  • Truss Plates
  • Cheek Plates
  • Flanges
  • Gearbox Plates

*Architectural features, signage, canopy outrigger, decorative plates.

*Rings, disks and other profiles from plate.

*Near net shapes for final machining.

  • Laser cutting can save significant CNC cutting time by producing parts to near net shape before CNC machining. Both the periphery and any holes, or slots can be pre-cut using the Waterjet process.Parts which will later be welded into an assembly.

*Parts which will later be welded into an assembly.

MATERIAL TYPES

Stainless Steel, all alloys
Steel - all alloys 
Thicknesses up to 1/2" 
Aluminum - up to 3/16"

 

WATERJET CUTTING

Waterjet cutting is an ideal process for cutting two dimensional parts from various materials up to 6" thick. The waterjet process uses a 55,000 to 60,000 PSI stream of water, combined with a garnet cutting media to cut all but the very hardest of materials. This cutting process does not cause a heat affected zone or metallurgical changes, eliminating heat-caused warpage, hardened edges, and the need for clean up or deburring.

TOLERANCES

Waterjet tolerance is primarily determined by thickness of material, and speed of cutting. A faster cut produces a looser tolerance with a less smooth edge, and is less expensive. A slower cut, while producing a tighter tolerance and a smoother cut is more costly. Our objective at Austin Waterjet is to balance these cutting conditions to provide each customer with the best combination of price and tolerance to meet their specific needs.

IDEAL PARTS

*Finished Parts

  • Adapters
  • Drain Covers
  • Stripper Plates
  • Flanges
  • Vault Covers
  • Gussets
  • Cover Plates
  • Gearbox Side Plates
  • Face Plates

*Architectural features, signage, canopy outrigger, decorative plates.

*Rings, disks and other profiles from plate.

*Near net shapes for final machining.

  • Waterjet cutting can save significant CNC cutting time by producing parts to near net shapes before CNC machining. Both the periphery and any holes, or slots can be pre-cut using the Waterjet process.

*Parts which will later be welded into an assembly.

  • Waterjet does not affect the properties of the material, it does not create a hard edge as does a thermal process such as laser, plasma
    or oxyacetylene torch cutting.

MATERIAL TYPES

Stainless Steel - all alloys 
Steel - all alloys 
Aluminum - all alloys 
Other - Titanium, Inconel, Brass, Copper, Rubber, G-10, PVC, UHMW