Waterjet cutting machines have traditionally been large, overpowering and substantial pieces of kit which take up a huge amount of space on the workshop floor and for many businesses, the size requirement has made it prohibitive. But Finepart’s Micro Abrasive Waterjet is redefining the definition in terms of both size and accuracy.
It defies conventional norms with its sophisticated yet compact design which brings with it finesse, sensitivity and very high accuracy. This article explores the benefits of the micro-abrasive water jet and why it is a valuable addition to any precision engineering company.
The Benefits Of Finepart’s Micro Abrasive Waterjet
The micro abrasive waterjet is simple to use with an intuitive interface that enables users to operate it effectively without the need for advanced CNC machining skills. It also produces a burr free finish and is simple and cost-effective to set up. The enhanced accuracy, higher cutting speed and intricate cut capabilities translate to superior productivity, wider potential applications and ultimately higher profits. Other benefits include:
- Size – One of the key advantages of Finepart’s waterjet is its size, or rather lack of it. It measures in at just 1.72m in height and 2.09m in width, with a total depth of 1.31m! With this remarkably small footprint, Finepart has developed a versatile, powerful and highly precise cutting machine that is suitable for any workshop environment, whilst fitting comfortably and easily next to other CNC machines. The waterjet itself has cutting abilities down to 0.3mm and 0.2mm in kerf width and can cut fine features down to 0.1mm.
- Non-Thermal Cutting – The micro waterjet does not use heat, instead relying upon a non-thermal cutting process which eliminates the risk of thermal distortion or changes in material properties. It also means subsequent processing isn’t required. This is particularly useful where laser cutting and wire or sink EDM are not possible and has proven to be important in the medical and aerospace industries.
- Wide Range Of Applications – The non-thermal cutting action means the number of suitable materials is substantially increased, with the capabilities of handling everything from wood, rubber, glass and super-alloys to complex composites and layered structures. It also cuts materials up to 30mm thick.
- Strong Technical Specifications – The Finepart micro abrasive waterjet machine features thermally stable Invar® linear encoders with 50 nm resolution and is controlled by a FANUC 31i-B5 system. It offers a max cutting speed of 20 m/min and a max traverse speed of 40 m/min, ensuring high accuracy and repeatability.
- High-Speed And 5-Axis Machining – The waterjet is capable of ultra-high precision cutting and can cope with complex shapes using 5-axis machining. 5-axis cutting also offers the advantage of significantly increased cutting speeds.
Why Choose Rainford
Rainford has more than three decades of expertise and has formed partnerships with world leaders in the precision tooling industry. We are ISO 9001 certified and pride ourselves on strong communication and excellent customer service. We can employ our extensive knowledge and experience to tailor a solution that meets your expectations and budget.
Reach out to Rainford Precision to unlock the full potential of micro abrasive waterjet technology in your operations. Get in touch with our expert team for a no-obligation consultation today!