Composite materials and Water jet Cutting
Cutting multiple layers of different materials is no problem with waterjet cutting. As with all other materials, the tolerances for composites are in the +- 0.1 mm range. The precision of the cut is mainly determined by the design of the cutting table. As the cutting gap measures only a few tenths of a millimetre, no material is wasted, which is an important aspect considering the ever increasing costs of commodities. When using waterjet cutting for the processing of multiple layers of different materials, the operator must ensure that there are no cavities between the layers. The water jet tends to become less focussed after it has penetrated the first layer of material. The greater the cavity between the layers, the more the jet becomes dispersed so that the next layer is cut with less focussed power. Hollow bodies can however still be cut with water jets, provided that the machine is equipped accordingly.
Main advantages of cutting composites with waterjet:
- No waste of material
- Maximum flexibility as regards production processes
- No need for resharpening the tool
- No heat affected zones
- Safe for the environment - no hazardous vapours, fumes or dust
Composite cutting - frequently asked questions
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Will the various layers of the material become detached from each other during cutting?
No, the material structure is not affected in any way, as the water jet is in contact with the layers for only a very short time.
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What is the best cutting method for composite materials?
This depends on the material properties. Composites of metals and other hard materials are best cut with abrasives. For soft composites, we recommend the pure water method.
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At what pressures are composite materials cut?
For soft composites, low operating pressures up to 3800 bar are sufficient. Hard composites are cut at higher pressures of up to 6200 bar.
Cutting speeds:
The cutting speed varies greatly, depending on the type of composite, the thickness of the material and the desired cutting quality. It is therefore not possible to make general statements about the cutting speed, as it must be determined on the basis of the actual application.
KMT products for waterjet cutting
High pressure pumps
KMT Waterjet Systems offers a range of high pressure pumps that cater for all applications. They cover everything from maximum cutting waterjet pressures of up to 6200 bar to maximum volumetric flows of more than 15 l/min and simultaneous operation of a large number of cutting heads.
- STREAMLINE 60/125 PRO – waterjet cutting with 6200 bar
- STREAMLINE SL-V 15-100
- STREAMLINE SL-V 30/50 Classic
- STREAMLINE SL-V 150/200
Cutting heads for abrasive and pure water cutting:
- ACTIVE AUTOLINE PRO – abrasive waterjet cutting head for 6200 bar
- ACTIVE IDE PRO – compact abrasive waterjet cutting head for 6200 bar
- AQUALINE PRO – pure water cutting head for 6.200 bar
- ACTIVE AUTOLINE II – modular abrasive waterjet cutting head for 4100 bar
- ACTIVE IDE II – compact abrasive waterjet cutting head for 4100 bar
- AQUALINE – Purwater cutting head for 4100 bar
Abrasive systems for abrasive waterjet cutting
- AMS III – abrasive management system consisting of an ABRALINE III abrasive bulk transfer system, a FEEDLINE IV metering system and ACTIVE AUTOLINE II or ACTIVE IDE II cutting heads
- ABRALINE III – abrasive bulk transfer system
- FEEDLINE IV – abrasive metering system
About KMT Waterjet Systems
KMT Waterjet Systems is a leading multinational manufacturer of waterjet cutting systems. The company develops complete solutions for a wide range of industries and applications. Since 1971 the company has been dedicated to long-term customer relationships. Continuous investment in innovation has made KMT Waterjet Systems the market leader in the waterjet cutting industry. High pressure pumps, cutting heads, abrasive systems, high pressure tubes, original spare parts and a global service network are among the key products and services of the company.