Hallo, I am new to this group. I signed up because I need some information on water jets and I think this is the best place to get the info.
We have to decide on a machine to buy for mainly cutting thin stainless steel to make jewellery. I have been reading about laser cutters, plasma cutters, routers and now also found water jet cutting.
From what I have read on the internet, water jet sounds like the best option.
but what I can not find info on is:
1. What is the edge like after cutting - we are looking at cutting 1mm stainless steel, but I don't want my customers to cut themselves on sharp edges as it is going to be jewellery.
2. How small can I cut? Will I be able to cut a 1cmx1cm square?
3. How fine detail will I be able to cut?
4. Can a water jet engrave (on the 1mm stainless steel), and what is the finish if it can?
Any other information that will be helpful for me to decide, like type of cutter, would be appreciated.
Thank you
Laro said
Aug 4, 2015
1. The edge is sharp. If it is jewellery, you will always have to deburr with every type of cutting. You will probably want to use a tumble deburring machine, but that will limit your engraving possibilities.
2. It is possible, but you will have to use those bricks so you dont lose the parts in the catcher tank. We cut much larger pieces so we dont have these issues.
3. Detail is limited to the diameter of the abrasive tube, probably 1mm is safe.
4. It is possible, but it is difficult to master the settings. The finish will be a little bit like it is glass blasted.
If it is 1mm stainless I would chose laser. For such thin materials you could use a small laser, which is cheaper to buy and cheaper to run.
You could even use plasma cutters.
Hallo, I am new to this group. I signed up because I need some information on water jets and I think this is the best place to get the info.
We have to decide on a machine to buy for mainly cutting thin stainless steel to make jewellery. I have been reading about laser cutters, plasma cutters, routers and now also found water jet cutting.
From what I have read on the internet, water jet sounds like the best option.
but what I can not find info on is:
1. What is the edge like after cutting - we are looking at cutting 1mm stainless steel, but I don't want my customers to cut themselves on sharp edges as it is going to be jewellery.
2. How small can I cut? Will I be able to cut a 1cmx1cm square?
3. How fine detail will I be able to cut?
4. Can a water jet engrave (on the 1mm stainless steel), and what is the finish if it can?
Any other information that will be helpful for me to decide, like type of cutter, would be appreciated.
Thank you
2. It is possible, but you will have to use those bricks so you dont lose the parts in the catcher tank. We cut much larger pieces so we dont have these issues.
3. Detail is limited to the diameter of the abrasive tube, probably 1mm is safe.
4. It is possible, but it is difficult to master the settings. The finish will be a little bit like it is glass blasted.
If it is 1mm stainless I would chose laser. For such thin materials you could use a small laser, which is cheaper to buy and cheaper to run.
You could even use plasma cutters.