How do you prevent glass from chipping during the piercing process?
Jake said
Aug 7, 2009
Typically the best way to pierce glass is to use a vacuum assist assembly and set the pump at low pressure. A low pressure pierce of 15-20K will help reduce the possibility of chipping. Use the pierce then cut or pierce all holes first setting in the software to automatically turn on the vacuum assist eductor.
If you do not have a vacuum assist installed on your machine try this: Ensure the "Abrasive on then jet" is set in the jet setup screen and change the settings so your abrasive comes on about .6 seconds before the jet fires. Next replace the abrasive metering disc to a .154 size. Finally, set your pump low pressure to 15K or lower and select pierce all holes first. After you have pierced all holes, replace the metering disc to your normal disc size, set your pressure to your normal high pressure and re-run the program normally. This takes much longer to do than using a vacuum assist and may not be perfect but should get the job done.
Happy Cutting!
sailwa66 said
Sep 25, 2009
Adding to what Jake said, lengthen your lead-ins so if it does chip, it does so completely on the drop.
Spruk805 said
Dec 14, 2010
You can also try 120-220 mesh media.
jake 123 said
Dec 16, 2010
Im having trouble with calibrating our vacuum assist, We had it installed by flow but the calibration guage didnt work so we had to wait for a new one. Once had arrived i attached the guage to the abrasive inlet port but i am unable to adjust the vacuum level. So its still blowing chunks out of foamalux. Any solutions will be appreciated.
TFabian said
Dec 16, 2010
I know there are some Flow Applications guys on here, I'm guessing they know the ropes on it and will chime in.
kellyhofer said
Mar 28, 2012
In our shop we usually have lead in's from the outside of the glass sheet. That guarantees no chipping.
LabradorBob said
Sep 25, 2012
another way i pierce glass successfully ,and it is a timed technique, is to turn the pump off, open the nozzle to drain the pressure off the cutting head.
setup your zero point to cut,start the pump from the controller and hit the button to start the cutting.
The object being to pierce as the pump is just beginning to build pressure,usually in low first.
Pierce time can be increased to get a bit longer pierce position.
I have great success with this,but would be slow to pierce several holes.
If you do not have a vacuum assist installed on your machine try this: Ensure the "Abrasive on then jet" is set in the jet setup screen and change the settings so your abrasive comes on about .6 seconds before the jet fires. Next replace the abrasive metering disc to a .154 size. Finally, set your pump low pressure to 15K or lower and select pierce all holes first. After you have pierced all holes, replace the metering disc to your normal disc size, set your pressure to your normal high pressure and re-run the program normally. This takes much longer to do than using a vacuum assist and may not be perfect but should get the job done.
Happy Cutting!
another way i pierce glass successfully ,and it is a timed technique, is to turn the pump off, open the nozzle to drain the pressure off the cutting head.
setup your zero point to cut,start the pump from the controller and hit the button to start the cutting.
The object being to pierce as the pump is just beginning to build pressure,usually in low first.
Pierce time can be increased to get a bit longer pierce position.
I have great success with this,but would be slow to pierce several holes.