Precision waterjet cutting services

Intelligent Cutting Solutions (ICS) offers precision waterjet cutting services that offer tight tolerance capabilities for most material. Some of the most common tight tolerance requirements come from the aerospace and defense industries.

The abrasive waterjet cutting of aerospace alloys and defense components is our most common process. Abrasive waterjet cutting services of aerospace alloys and defense components include.

• Abrasive waterjet cutting of Inconel
• Abrasive waterjet cutting of Titanium
• Abrasive waterjet cutting of Aluminum
• Abrasive waterjet cutting of Stainless Steel
• Abrasive waterjet cutting of 4130

Accuracy and tolerances

Note: It is best to design for an accuracy tolerance of .005”. Although our state of the art equipment can hold part tolerances of .003” (depending on thickness) we suggest you design for minimum .005” A few factors such as vibration of the part, mixing tube degradation and lead-in and lead out marks lead to this suggestion.

Machine Accuracy
Linear straightness accuracy				± .0381 mm/m [± .0015 in./3 ft]
Repeatability				± .025 mm [±.001 in.]
Ballbar Circularity				± .0635 mm [± .0025 in.]
Acceleration				.1G
Part Tolerance
Material Thickness range				Tolerance
.062-.250				.003-.005
.250-.500				005-.007
.500-1.00				.007-.010
1.00-3.00				.010-.025
3.00-10.00				Plan on near net shape
Thickness
Material Type				Thickness
Mild Steel				10" Max
Aluminum				11" Max
Titanium				9" Max
Hastalloy				9"
Tool Steel				9"
Composite				4"
Acrylic				4"
Rubber				10"
Glass				6"
Phenolic				6"
Width of cut
Kerf				.030"-.040"
Length of cut (13' x 10' tables)
X-Axis				13'-1"
Y-Axis				10'-1"
Cutting Axis
2-Axis
3-Axis
5-Axis
Equipment
Intelligent cutting solutions uses Flow waterjet equipment exclusively

 
Cutting Speed

Below is a list of materials and their cutting speeds from slowest to fastest.

Edge Quality

Our waterjet cutting services provide the best possible edge quality because the process does not introduce any heat or mechanical stress. There is no heat affected zone (HAZ) and in many cases the edge finish can be used as is without the need for removal or finishing of the edge.

Narrow Kerf

We exclusively use Flow waterjet machines and they are known not only for their accuracy but also for their minimal kerfs. The waterjet stream is so narrow that the resulting kerf is only about .040” This allows for us to maximize your material usage, reduce scrap and save you money.

Main advantages of using abrasive waterjet on aerospace alloys.

• Here is no heat affected zone
• There is no thermal distortion
• There are no burrs
• It is a very fast cutting process
• Material up to 10” thick can be cut
• Tolerances of .003” to .005” can be held
• Fast programming and easy machine setup