I was thinking of having some 5052-H32 .020" thick aluminum sheet laser cut into small shapes but my buddy said to go with abrasive water jet cutting. He says that laser leaves a molten edge but water leaves a clean cut edge. Thus no tumbling to finish. The parts will eventually be formed, holes punched and then nickel plated. The only real accuracy needed will be in the punched holes which has nothing to do with the water jet cutting. The cut shape can be +/- .002" with no problem.
It seems that multiple layers of stock can be jet cut. This may leave some fine abrasive between the layers but that will not be a problem. The economy in cutting multiple layers seems attractive.
Any comments on water jet cutting thin aluminum stock? I am curious about how wide the kerf will be but I imagine different machines, running different sized nozzles, are out there.
If any of you have had any water jet parts cut out of thin stock aluminum and you were pleased with the result, could you recommend a shop? I would be glad to give them a call.
Thanks in advance.
Dan Miller
It seems that multiple layers of stock can be jet cut. This may leave some fine abrasive between the layers but that will not be a problem. The economy in cutting multiple layers seems attractive.
Any comments on water jet cutting thin aluminum stock? I am curious about how wide the kerf will be but I imagine different machines, running different sized nozzles, are out there.
If any of you have had any water jet parts cut out of thin stock aluminum and you were pleased with the result, could you recommend a shop? I would be glad to give them a call.
Thanks in advance.
Dan Miller