PRECISION WATERJET CUTTING TECHNOLOGY IN EAST CHICAGO, INDIANA WITH NATIONWIDE DELIVERY

Water jet technology uses a high pressure stream of water mixed with an abrasive (garnet) to precisely cut complex parts out of a wide range of materials and thicknesses.
This innovative approach eliminates the problems associated with heat-based cutting such as heat-affected zones, mechanical stresses, burn marks, cracking, and excess burr. It is ideal for producing a smooth cut on steel, as well as:
  • aluminum
  • titanium
  • carbon fiber
  • stainless
  • chrome
  • plastic
  • glass
  • ceramics
  • stone
  • neoprene
  • Any type of wood
  • inconel
  • hastalloy
  • manganese
  • copper
  • bronze
  • lead
  • composites
  • laminates
  • flammable
  • brittle
  • extremely hard, reflective and nonconductive materials.
Waterjet Advantages:
Thick material (up to 8” thick) 
Taper-free cutting utilizing taper-compensation heads
No heat affected edges
No introduced mechanical stresses
Tolerances as tight as 0.003”
Very tight nesting reduces material waste
Handle material sizes up to 75" x 240"

How Does a Waterjet Work?

Basic Components and Operation
High Pressure Pump
The pump generates a flow of pressurized water for the cutting process.
Abrasive Waterjet Nozzle
Inside the nozzle the pressurized water passes through a small-diameter orifice and forms a coherent jet of water. The jet then passes through a venturi section where a metered amount of granular abrasive is drawn into the water stream. The mixture of water and abrasive particles passes through a special ceramic mixing tube and the resulting abrasive/water slurry exits the nozzle as a coherent cutting stream of abrasive particles travelling at very high speed.
Catcher Tank
The water-filled catcher tank dissipates the energy of the abrasive jet after it has cut through the material being machined.
Abrasive Hopper
The abrasive hopper and associated abrasive flow control system provide a metered flow of granular abrasive to the nozzle.
X-Y Traverse System
A precision X-Y motion system is used to accurately move the nozzle to create the desired cutting path.
PC-based Controller
Advanced motion controllers for abrasive waterjet systems are PC-based and permit production of accurate parts with minimal operator experience.
Courtesy of Omax.com

How Does a Waterjet Work?

Basic Components and Operation
High Pressure Pump
The pump generates a flow of pressurized water for the cutting process. We currently run Omax direct-drive pumps ranging from 40 hp to 100 hp.
Abrasive Waterjet Nozzle
Inside the nozzle the pressurized water passes through a small-diameter orifice and forms a coherent jet of water. The jet then passes through a venturi section where a metered amount of granular abrasive is drawn into the water stream. The mixture of water and abrasive particles passes through a special ceramic mixing tube and the resulting abrasive/water slurry exits the nozzle as a coherent cutting stream of abrasive particles travelling at very high speed.
Catcher Tank
The water-filled catcher tank dissipates the energy of the abrasive jet after it has cut through the material being machined.
Abrasive Hopper
The abrasive hopper and associated abrasive flow control system provide a metered flow of granular abrasive to the nozzle.
X-Y Traverse System
A precision X-Y motion system is used to accurately move the nozzle to create the desired cutting path.
PC-based Controller
Advanced motion controllers for abrasive waterjet systems are PC-based and permit production of accurate parts with minimal operator experience.
Courtesy of Omax.com