waterjet

[Charlie Mike]

I'm receiving 2 12"X12" sheets of .300" CF and I'd like to make some blades from them. Who can do a small run like this?

 

[SteelSlaver]

I know Dave a
http://www.greatlakeswaterjetinc.com/waterjet_info.html
does this stuff. He cut up a 12x39 sheet of D2 for me. I believe he is now cutting up the steel for Tracy's kits too. Get a hold of him and then send him the steel and any type of drawing of your design. His set up "nests" the pieces so you get as many as possible from your steel

 

[Leading Edge Fab]

If you are interested in a Blade Forum member who can provide waterjet machining services please send me a email to h2ocutatfrontier.com.

I have 11 years experience, reasonable rates based on your custom orders and can get the job done without a long wait.


Thank you,

Mark VanderWest

 

[SteelSlaver]

Sorry, I didn't mention your name H2O, Forgot that there was another guy doing this for us and I have already had a good experience with Dave, who I know has already gave you the thumbs up.

 

[Leading Edge Fab]

Sorry, I didn't mention your name H2O, Forgot that there was another guy doing this for us and I have already had a good experience with Dave, who I know has already gave you the thumbs up.

ib2v4u, no problem forgetting about us since we have never done business yet.
Just as a reminder, because a lot of makers don't know who i am but I am not a knifemaker doing waterjet work. I'm a job shop providing service to the custom makers and manufacturers. I don't do a lot of posting on the forum due to time constraints but I'll have to post some pictures in the near future. Also, I have a non disclosure policy and do not post customers names.

Best Regards,

Mark
H20Knife

 

[Ed Caffrey]

Not sure if your aware or not, but Carbon Fiber, micarta, G10, ect presents special problems to waterjet cut.... every cut must start off the edge of the material. If a waterjet cut is started with the nozzle on the material, it will delaminate the material, or create a "blow out". I had a local waterjet outfit cut some CF for me, and ruined over 1/2 the piece.

After wrecking that piece, we tried some G10 in hopes of learning what went wrong....as I said, we found that each cut must start off the piece, which increased the cutting cost considerably, and cause considerably more waste.

 

[Charlie Mike]

What would be the best way to cut blanks out of CF?

 

[P.Brewster]

Not sure if your aware or not, but Carbon Fiber, micarta, G10, ect presents special problems to waterjet cut.... every cut must start off the edge of the material. If a waterjet cut is started with the nozzle on the material, it will delaminate the material, or create a "blow out".

Not necessarily true. There are some tricks that can be used to limit or eliminate the blow-out, such as a low pressure pierce (followed by standard high-pressure cutting), and/or an "abrasive on first" pierce, and/or use of an aluminum overlay, and/or the use of special orifices or nozzles.

 

[Justin King]

Not sure if your aware or not, but Carbon Fiber, micarta, G10, ect presents special problems to waterjet cut.... every cut must start off the edge of the material. If a waterjet cut is started with the nozzle on the material, it will delaminate the material, or create a "blow out". I had a local waterjet outfit cut some CF for me, and ruined over 1/2 the piece.

After wrecking that piece, we tried some G10 in hopes of learning what went wrong....as I said, we found that each cut must start off the piece, which increased the cutting cost considerably, and cause considerably more waste.

I was going to suggest a piece of sacrificial rigid high-tensile backing material to support and/or cover the CF/G10. I have zero experience with waterjetting but this is (or used to be) a common practice for sawing material that would otherwise deform, delaminate or blow out during sawcutting.
H2OKnife seems to be suggesting something similar with an aluminum overlay.

 

[Leading Edge Fab]

Not sure if your aware or not, but Carbon Fiber, micarta, G10, ect presents special problems to waterjet cut.... every cut must start off the edge of the material. If a waterjet cut is started with the nozzle on the material, it will delaminate the material, or create a "blow out". I had a local waterjet outfit cut some CF for me, and ruined over 1/2 the piece.

After wrecking that piece, we tried some G10 in hopes of learning what went wrong....as I said, we found that each cut must start off the piece, which increased the cutting cost considerably, and cause considerably more waste.

Hi Ed,

Good point on the de-lamination issues with phenolic materials. We use to successfully do a job using .047" thick G-10, Piston Ring Carrier Disk's for a double disk grinder application. The piston rings were going to likes of Hendrick Racing and others.

The next new waterjet is going to have a drill head and maybe a router installed.

Mark

 

[Leading Edge Fab]

What would be the best way to cut blanks out of CF?

We profile cut CF details but avoid small diameter holes, best to drill them. The edge quality is OK and it can be cleaned up with a little abrasive belt work. But like Ed mentioned, starting off the edge works at the beginning of the program is helpful.

Take Care,

Mark