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Waterjet vs. Laser:
- Waterjets can machine many materials that lasers cannot. Reflective materials in particular, such as ALUMINUM and COPPER.
- There is no thermal distortion or edge hardening of the material being cut by waterjet, whereas lasers create burned, hardened edges.
- Precision waterjets can obtain about the same tolerances than lasers on thin parts, and higher tolerances on parts thicker than 0.5", especially as thickness increases.
- Waterjets can cut thicker materials. Up to 10" thick or thicker in special applications. Lasers have a maximum of about 0.5" (12mm) - 0.75" (19mm) for mild steel.
- Waterjets do not lose much focus when cutting over uneven surfaces, lasers do.
- While lasers are often faster on thinner materials, waterjets can stack materials, so you are cutting multiple thin parts simultaneously plus with dual head technology we are cutting 2 parts side by side at the same time.
- Waterjets create much cleaner edge quality.
- Fast turn-around.
Waterjet vs. EDM:
- Waterjets are much faster than EDM.
- Waterjets cut a wider variety of materials.
- Uniformity of material is not very important to a waterjet.
- Waterjets make their own pierce holes.
- Waterjets do not heat the surface of the material.
- Waterjets are useful for creating start holes for EDM wire insertion.
- Waterjets require less setup.
- Larger parts can be cut on a waterjet.
- Fast turn-around.
Waterjet vs. Milling:
- There is only one tool on a waterjet.
- Cleanup is much faster with a waterjet.
- Programming is faster and easier.
- Mills cannot cut hard or brittle materials such as Titanium, Inconel, tool steel & glass.
- Fast turn-around.
Waterjet vs. Punch Press:
- Lower cost per piece for short runs.
- Cut holes closer to the materials edge with a waterjet.
- Minimal setup.
- Thick, brittle or hard materials cannot be cut by punch press.
- Fast turn-around.
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