Water Jet Thickness 1

[curvyrace]

Does anybody know the typical minimum width for a slot cut in 1/8" thick steel using a water jet. I'm trying to get a .010 wide slot cut in the edge of 1/2" steel pipe. Is laser cutting the best choice? Thanks!

 

[MikeHalloran]

I've done a few lasercut parts where the kerf width mattered. I asked the cutting house, and they said for the machine they would use for my parts, the kerf would be .014" wide. It was.

I think larger photon cannons and waterjets leave a slightly wider kerf, but the best answer is to talk to the actual vendor you'll use, and ask them for a number for your material and thickness.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[curvyrace]

Thanks Mike! I'll talk to a few vendors to see what they say.

 

[deilam]

do you have experience with laser cleaner for removing of hard polymer inside of exchanger tubes.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Uh, no. But you'll get a better response if you:
- start a thread of your own
- specify which polymer, if you know what it is
- ask for suggestions for removing it
- strive for clarity ex: Does 'laser cleaner' mean a chemical or device that you would use to clean a laser, or does it mean a laser that's used to clean something else?
- specify the tube diameter and material



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA