Page 31 - MetalForming March 2013

speed. To determine the proper speed, consult your waterjet manufacturer’s recommended cutting parameters.
“Make sure you run at the proper speed for the material thickness,” Pavlov suggests. “For example, to make Q5 cuts in 0.125-in. aluminum, run at 15 to 18 in./min.”
Tip 8: Pick the Right Pressure
In recent years, several waterjet- equipment manufacturers have intro- duced 90,000+ PSI waterjet intensifier pumps. Cutting at these extreme pres- sures brings numerous benefits, including as much as a 50-percent increase in cutting speed, a 40-per- cent decrease in garnet consumption and, in some cases, a slight reduction in taper.
Smart waterjet operators use their manufacturers’ cutting parameters and run test cuts to determine the opti- mum pressure to maximize produc- tivity and cost-effectiveness for a given application.
Tip 9: Maintain Your Machine
Keeping waterjet-cutting systems well-maintained is by far the most important task a metalformer can per- form to help ensure success. Pavlov reminds users to regularly check their machines for leaks at the pump and at the cutting head.
Further, Schwartz advises metal- formers to follow their manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines and to take advantage of free maintenance train- ing, when offered by the manufacturer.
Tip 10: Cut a Test Part
“Metalformers that take the time to cut test parts, particularly when fabri- cating a new material type or thick- ness, will save time and material in the long run,” summarizes Schwartz. “Cut a part, measure it and make an edu- cated decision on cutting parameters. We recommend cutting test parts that demonstrate every scenario: inside squares, outside corners, inside radius, outside radius and kerf cuts where you would adjust cutting speed from slow to fast for kerf angle (Fig. 2).” MF
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MetalForming/March 2013 29
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