Last Updated on When waterjet cutting technology was developed, its use was limited to cutting soft materials such as paper and rubber. But water jet cutting soon found success, as it cut materials with superior results compared to many alternative cutting methods.
No one might have imagined what waterjet cutting would be capable of decades later. In this day and age, waterjet cutting can do much more than cutting materials.
Besides being able to pierce even steel, waterjet cutting can even create intricate designs in any materials.
For instance, you might have seen beautiful geometric shapes in stones such as marble. These are created with the help of water jet cutting.
The development of this cutting technique led to 5-axis waterjet cutting. This article explores 5-axis waterjet cutting and how it can benefit your business.
What is 5-axis Waterjet Cutting?
Traditional cutting methods, including early waterjet cutters, were limited to 3-axis working. These axes were the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis. These enabled the waterjet cutting tools to create linear cuts in any material as required.
However, fabricators realized that waterjet cutting was a vast field with many applications. What if an application requires complex cutting? In addition to straight-line cutting, would waterjet cutting machines handle bevels, contouring, chamfering, and more? And so, 5-axis waterjet cutting was born.
In 5-axis waterjet cutting, a type of 5-axis machining, the cutting head moves in two additional axes besides the three traditional ones, making a total of 5 axes:
- X-axis: The cutting carriage moves horizontally (left-right), in the direction of the cross beam.
- Y-axis: The cross beam moves the cutting head back and forth (front-back) along the side beams.
- Z-axis: The cutting head moves vertically (up-down).
- A-axis: The cutting head tilts through a range of cutting angles up to 60 degrees. Angled cutting can produce bevels and other shapes.
- C-axis: The cutting head undergoes rotation around the Z-axis, allowing various shapes to be cut
What is the Benefit of 5-axis Waterjet Cutting over Conventional 3-axis Waterjet Cutting?
Many reasons make 5-axis waterjet cutting better than 3-axis waterjet cutting.
Flexibility
First, 5-axis waterjet cutters are capable of doing everything 3-axis waterjet cutters can. But there are many operations 5-axis waterjet cutters can do that 3-axis waterjet cutters cannot.
5-axis waterjet cutting can create linear two-dimensional as well three-dimensional cuts. However, 3-axis waterjet cutting can only do two-dimensional linear cuts.
Complex Cutting
With the addition of the A-axis and C-axis, the capabilities of 5-axis waterjet cutting extend to include taper control for complex cutting angles when producing bevels and chamfers.
Speed
The addition of more axis results in greater movement of the cutting head. The head is no longer restricted to linear motions, which enables it to move the shortest distance possible, resulting in high-speed cutting operations.
3-axis waterjet cutters require secondary processes for many operations, leading to delays. But, in 5-axis waterjet cutting, the waterjet cutter accomplishes these processes.
Reduced Manual Labor
Before welding, metal parts go through processes, such as beveling and chamfering, allowing them to be optimally joined together. Manual labor is needed for the parts to make them ready for welding.
But, with 5-axis waterjet cutting, the final pieces come out of the machine ready to be welded. This significantly reduces the requirements for manual labor.
Which Industries Utilize 5-axis Waterjet Cutting Technology?
There are many industries where 5-axis waterjet cutting has become the most integral fabrication process. Some of these industries are:
Aerospace
The aerospace industry requires high precision cutting to create 3D parts for space equipment. Additionally, the materials cut are some of the toughest metals, fibres, and alloys.
Therefore, 5-axis waterjet cutting is the ideal fit for this industry. It can provide high-precision 3D parts and cut through the hardest materials.
Prototyping
In the R&D sector, waterjet cutting machines are often employed to provide prototypes for models. Creating prototypes provides a precise model taking scale into account. Additionally, the ability of 5-axis cutting heads to create complex shapes is helpful.
Automotive
In the automobile sector, 5-axis water jet cutting is used to create 3D spare parts for vehicles, such as various gears and engine components. The main benefit is that this technology can easily create small or large parts.
Decor
This technology is also used to create 3-dimensional art pieces used for decor from different materials. Art waterjet is commonly employed in the architecture and interior designing sector for aesthetics.
Fabrication Workshops
5-axis cutting machines are often employed by fabricators for weld preparation and other cutting requirements. There is a good chance that the parts you source for any project have been cut using a Techni Waterjet 5-axis cutter.
The Best 5-axis Water jet Cutter
If you are in the market for a new 5-axis abrasive cutting machine and wonder which one to choose, the answer is simple. Techni Waterjet’s cutting machine is the preferred method for small job shops or large-scale professional workshops using waterjet cutting services.
The reasons are plenty, the most common ones being:
Versatility
Techni Waterjet’s 5-axis cutters, especially the Intec G2 CNC Machine, are capable of any cutting application, using high-pressure water mixed with an abrasive substance. From kitchen countertops to shower frameless panels, metal artwork, tools, and fences, 5-axis cutting machines can handle anything.
Ease of Use
These machines are not something you will need a college degree to operate. The equipment is easy to use and does not require any special training.
Complementary Software
Techni Waterjet machines come with free software to control them. Simply click the preloaded features to automatically create the cut you require.
Dedicated Service
You must consider after-sales services when buying heavy-duty equipment. Techni Waterjet provides dedicated after-sales services, with immediate support whenever you require it. This means reduced downtime for your machine.
Sturdy Build Quality
At Techni Waterjet, our motto is to provide the best build quality in every product we offer. We don’t cut corners and use only the best materials, with great attention to detail.
Takeaway
Buying a 5-axis waterjet cutting machine might be your best business decision, regardless of the sector in which you operate.
Whether for manufacturing purposes or providing fabrication services to clients, 5-axis cutting machines are the best solution for everything.
However, to enjoy all the benefits of this technology, ensure you buy a high-quality product such as Techni Waterjet’s 5-axis waterjet cutters.
Get in touch with Techni Waterjet, and our technical experts will guide you and answer any queries you might have.
