Why Waterjet Cutting Works

There are many different manufacturing processes that can be used to produce custom gaskets, prototypes, and seals. While Atlantic Gasket Corporation provides diverse manufacturing services, waterjet cutting is often the preferred choice. Compared to plasma cutting, laser cutting, or electrical discharge machining (EDM), precision computer numerical control (CNC) waterjet cutting takes the lead. Read on to learn about the many advantages of waterjet cutting and why it is becoming the fastest growing machining process around.

No Unnecessary Finishing Costs: Waterjet cutting produces a smooth, sandblasted look that is free of burnt edges, chips, burrs, and slag. Once a gasket, seal, or other part undergoes waterjet machining, it is considered to have a “finished cut.” Extra finishing processes are not necessary, which results in a cost savings Atlantic Gasket is happy to pass on to its customers.

No Heat-affected Zone (HAZ): Some machining processes involve burning or melting, which can alter a material’s inherent chemical properties. With CNC hydrocutting, this is not an issue. Known to insulate and absorb heat, water is the cutting medium in this machining process and works to maintain the properties of materials, such as metals, plastics, and composites.

No Minimum Quantity: Manufacturing processes like the punch press use a set of punches and dies to form parts. Based on a drawing, a custom die is created and once that is formed, production can begin. The expense and time involved in creating the die is often balanced with long-run production. But, what if you need just one large prototype or short-run gaskets shipped the next day? With waterjet cutting, all production needs to start is the drawing, which results in a lower cost-per-piece for short runs.

No Mechanical Stresses: In some machining processes, the manufactured piece of material must be clamped down or affixed to the machine’s surface, so that it does not move. This fixturing can produce mechanical stresses into the work-piece, which compromises the overall structural quality. In hydrocutting, a powerful stream of water is directed downward, pushing the work-piece into the machine table with enough force that it requires minimal or no fixturing.

No Material Limitations: There are virtually no limits to what waterjet machines can cut. Pure waterjet cutting is used to cut soft materials; abrasive waterjet cutting is used to cut hard materials, and Atlantic Gasket offers both services. We inventory many materials to solve your application needs. These materials include:

These are just a few of the reasons why more and more manufacturers are choosing waterjet cutting over other machining services. Contact Atlantic Gasket by phone at 1-800-229-8881 or by email at sales@atlanticgasket.com to find out if waterjet cutting is right for your next job.