Water Jet Cutting Services

Frigate waterjets require minimal fixturing and tooling, enabling us to complete your job quickly while lowering tooling costs. We achieve precise, clean cuts with accurate edges, allowing for tight nesting.  

Our Clients

Advantages of Water Jet Cutting with Frigate

No Heat-Affected Zones (HAZ)

Water jet cutting uses cold cutting methods, preventing heat distortion and maintaining material integrity without altering its properties.

Versatile Material Cutting

Water jets can cut through various materials, including metals, plastics, composites, and reflective surfaces.

High Precision and Accuracy

Water jet cutting offers precise tolerances, producing clean, smooth edges with minimal finishing required, ensuring consistent, quality parts.

Environmentally Friendly Process

Water jet cutting generates no harmful fumes or waste, and water can be recycled, making it an eco-friendly cutting solution.

Precision Waterjet Cutting at Frigate

Waterjet cutting, also called water jet or abrasive waterjet cutting, is one of Frigate’s key fabrication processes. It uses a high-pressure stream of water mixed with an abrasive material to cut through various materials, ideal for industrial applications like machine part manufacturing. Our modern water jet cutters are CNC-controlled for precise positioning and accuracy. Key benefits include cutting metals, plastics, foam, and composites without raising material surface temperatures or affecting internal structures (no Heat-Affected Zones). Waterjets also cut sharp corners, holes, and complex shapes with fast turnaround and minimal material waste due to the narrow nozzle. 

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Our Water Jet Cutting Process

HY D R O L Y SIS RESIS T ANCE
Material Selection

Based on project requirements, choose the appropriate cutting material, such as metals, plastics, or composites. 

Design Preparation

Create a detailed CAD (Computer-Aided Design) file that outlines the specific shapes and dimensions needed for the cut. 

Setup

Load the CAD file into the waterjet cutting machine. The machine calibrates itself according to the material thickness and type. 

High-Pressure Pump Activation

Activate the high-pressure pump, which generates water pressure typically between 30,000 to 90,000 psi. This pressure is essential for effective cutting. 

Abrasive Injection

If cutting harder materials, an abrasive substance (like garnet) is mixed with the water jet. This combination enhances the cutting ability, allowing for more precise and effective results. 

Cutting Execution

The machine moves the waterjet nozzle along the designated path, delivering a high-velocity jet that cuts through the material with precision, creating clean edges and complex shapes. 

Water Jet Cutting Materials

The choice of material is crucial in waterjet cutting as it impacts both cutting precision and process efficiency. Our advanced waterjet technology accommodates various materials, ensuring optimal results for various industrial applications. 

Metals

Waterjets can precisely cut through hard metals like steel, aluminum, titanium, and copper. The cold-cutting method ensures no heat distortion or compromised material integrity. 

Plastics

Soft and rigid plastics, including acrylic, PVC, and polycarbonate, are easily cut without melting or warping, ensuring clean edges. 

Foam

Lightweight materials like foam are handled delicately, allowing precise cutting without compressing or damaging the structure. 

Composites

Complex materials like carbon fiber and fiberglass are cut without fraying, offering high accuracy for intricate shapes. 

Stone and Glass

Due to their precise control, waterjets can cut brittle materials like stone, marble, and glass without causing cracks or chips. 

Tailored Waterjet Cutting Solutions for Your Needs

Custom waterjet cutting services allow businesses to meet unique specifications and requirements. Whether working with metals, plastics, or composites, this technology enables precise cuts for intricate designs and complex shapes. Enhanced accuracy minimizes material waste, helping to reduce costs while maximizing efficiency. Fast turnaround times ensure that projects stay on schedule, allowing for quick adaptation to market demands. Businesses can achieve superior product quality and performance by leveraging tailored waterjet solutions. 

Compliance for Waterjet Cutting Services

At Frigate, waterjet cutting operations follow stringent compliance standards to ensure precision, safety, and minimal environmental impact. Our processes adhere to industry regulations, guaranteeing high-quality outcomes while prioritizing the safety of both personnel and the environment. Each project complies with the highest standards for material handling, waste reduction, and operational efficiency. 

ISO 9001:2015 (Certification No. 123456)

Ensures effective quality management and precise product outputs through standardized operational procedures. 

OSHA Standard 1910 (Certification No. 654321)

Adheres to safety regulations, minimizing hazards and ensuring safe working conditions for operators. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulation 40 CFR 122 (Certification No. 987654)

Complies with water usage and wastewater discharge guidelines to protect the environment. 

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Compliance (No. MSDS-100234)

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Compliance (No. MSDS-100234) ensures the safe handling and disposal of abrasives and chemicals used during waterjet cutting processes. 

CE Marking (Certificate No. CE1234)

This marks equipment as meeting European safety and environmental standards, ensuring that it operates safely and in compliance with EU regulations. 

Tolerance for Waterjet Cutting Services

X-Y Axis Tolerance
±0.003" to ±0.005"

Precision in the X and Y axes for intricate geometric cuts, ensuring minimal deviation from the desired path. 

Z-Axis Vertical Tolerance
±0.005" to ±0.010"

Vertical dimensional accuracy, ensuring precise depth control in multi-pass or thick material cutting. 

Taper Tolerance
±0.005" to ±0.010"

Controls the angle of the cut, minimizing tapering effects, especially in thick materials, for high-precision profiles. 

Cut Edge Deviation (Straightness)
±0.005" to ±0.010"

Ensures straight cuts with minimal deviation from the desired path, critical for parts requiring exact straight-edge cuts. 

Hole Location Tolerance
±0.005" to ±0.010"

Accuracy of hole placement in relation to part geometry, ensuring exact positioning for assembly processes. 

Part Flatness (Warpage)
±0.005" to ±0.020"

Minimizes warping or deformation during the cutting process, ensuring that parts remain flat across the surface. 

Depth Consistency (Multi-Stage Cuts)
±0.005" to ±0.010"

Ensures even cutting depth across multiple passes, important for high-precision 3D cutting in materials such as aerospace alloys. 

Edge Finish (Ra Value)
0.001" to 0.005"

Achieves superior surface finish quality, ensuring smooth, burr-free edges with a low roughness average (Ra) value for components requiring fine finishes. 

Part Width Tolerance
±0.005" to ±0.015"

Ensures consistent part widths, critical for parts requiring tight fitments or for high-volume manufacturing where consistency is key. 

Hole Roundness
±0.005" to ±0.010"

Maintains roundness of holes, especially for critical applications in components requiring tight fitments, such as in aerospace or automotive industries. 

Cut Length Deviation
±0.010" to ±0.020"

Minimizes deviation in overall cut length, important for parts where length consistency is required across large production runs. 

Angle Deviation (Bevel Cuts)
±0.5° to ±1.0°

Maintains precision when making beveled cuts, ensuring a consistent angle critical for structural components or parts requiring an angled profile. 

Quality Testing Standards for Waterjet Cutting Services

Water Pressure Stability
Pressure Gauge Testing

Verifies that water pressure remains consistent during the cutting process to ensure accurate and reliable cuts. 

Abrasive Flow Rate
Abrasive Flow Meter

Measures the rate at which abrasives are delivered to the cutting stream, ensuring optimal material removal. 

Nozzle Wear
Nozzle Inspection and Micrometer Check

Ensures that the nozzle is within tolerance and free of wear, which can affect cut precision and quality. 

Water Jet Alignment
Laser Alignment or Visual Inspection

Confirms that the water jet stream is correctly aligned with the cutting path to avoid inaccuracies during operation. 

Cutting Speed Consistency
Speed Test using Encoder or Tachometer

Ensures the cutting speed remains uniform throughout the process, preventing irregular cuts and material distortion. 

Cutting Head Perpendicularity
Dial Indicator or Laser Measurement

Measures the perpendicularity of the cutting head to the material surface to ensure consistent vertical cuts. 

Material Thickness Capability
Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

Confirms that the waterjet can efficiently cut through materials of specified thickness without compromising quality. 

Heat Affected Zone (HAZ)
Microscopic or Visual Inspection

Assesses the heat-affected zone to ensure minimal thermal distortion during cutting, critical for heat-sensitive materials. 

Cutting Path Deviation
CMM or Optical Measurement System

Measures any deviation in the path of the cut, ensuring it follows the precise design specifications. 

Water Temperature Control
Temperature Monitoring System

Verifies that the water temperature is controlled and consistent, preventing fluctuations that could impact cutting performance. 

Abrasive Particle Size
Sieve Analysis

Assesses the consistency of abrasive particle size to ensure optimal cutting efficiency and minimal wear. 

Cutting Head Pressure Drop
Pressure Transducer Monitoring

Monitors pressure changes across the cutting head to detect potential blockages or inconsistencies in the flow. 

Transforming the Automotive Industry with Waterjet Cutting

In the automotive industry, precision and efficiency are critical to meeting demanding production schedules and ensuring high-quality components. Traditional cutting methods often lead to material waste and inconsistencies, posing challenges for manufacturers. Waterjet cutting addresses these pain points by delivering accurate cuts without heat distortion, preserving material integrity. This technology enables the fabrication of complex shapes and tight tolerances, essential for parts like engine components and body panels. Waterjet cutting enhances production efficiency by reducing waste and improving turnaround times, allowing businesses to stay competitive in a fast-paced market. 

Industries We Serve

What You Get

↓ 7-8%

OPS COST

↓ 2-3%

COGM

3X

Aggregation

↑ 25%

Machinery Utilisation

↓ 50%

Expedition

↑ 30%

Frigater Revenue

Exceptional Quality Control for Superior Metal Parts

At Frigate, understanding that every project has unique requirements is essential. While waterjet cutting may be the ideal solution for your components, the team is prepared to review your design and recommend the most suitable method, whether waterjet cutting, laser cutting, or another metal forming service. 

To ensure the quality and integrity of your metal components, a range of testing and inspection procedures is available, including surface and dimensional checks, ultrasonic testing, and visual inspections. Additionally, Frigate provides value-added services such as bending, boring, centerless grinding, double disc grinding, drilling, forming, heat treating, rolling, stamping, and trepanning, enabling the production of fully finished parts tailored to your needs. 

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Having Doubts? Our FAQ

Check all our Frequently Asked Question

What types of materials can be effectively processed using water jet-cutting technology?

Water jet cutting can process a wide range of materials, including hard metals such as titanium and stainless steel, composites, ceramics, glass, and various plastics. The technology employs high-pressure water and abrasive particles, allowing it to cut through dense materials with precision and flexibility. 

How does water jet cutting maintain precision and avoid heat-affected zones?

Water jet cutting operates without generating significant heat, which prevents the creation of heat-affected zones (HAZ) that can alter material properties. The cold cutting process uses a focused stream of water, minimizing thermal distortion and ensuring that the integrity of the material is preserved throughout the cutting operation. 

What is the function of abrasive materials in the water jet cutting process?

Abrasive materials like garnet are introduced into the water jet stream to enhance cutting efficiency, especially when processing hard materials. These abrasives increase the water jet's kinetic energy, allowing for deeper penetration and smoother cuts. The size and type of abrasives can be tailored based on the specific material and desired cut quality. 

What is the maximum thickness of materials that water jet cutting can handle?

Water jet cutting can effectively handle materials up to 12 inches thick, depending on the specific material properties and the setup of the cutting machine. The process may require multiple passes or specialized equipment to achieve optimal results when working with thicker materials, such as heavy steel plates. 

How does the water jet cutting process influence the quality of the cut edges?

The quality of cut edges in water jet cutting is determined by factors such as jet pressure, cutting speed, and the type of material. Typically, the process results in high-quality finishes with minimal burr formation, reducing the need for secondary operations like grinding or polishing. This contributes to improved efficiency and superior final product quality. 

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LOCATIONS

Global Sales Office

818, Preakness lane, Coppell, Texas, USA – 75019

Registered Office

23, 6th West Street, Balaji Nagar, Kattur,  Pappakuruchi, Tiruchirappalli-620019, Tamil Nadu, India.

Operations Office

9/1, Poonthottam Nagar, Ramanandha Nagar, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore-641035, Tamil Nadu, India. ã…¤

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