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Comparing Precision Abrasive Waterjet Machining to Laser

Key laser strengths

• Very fast production with thin, non-reflective materials such as sheet steel
• Accuracy to ±0.001" (±0.025 mm) or better in thin material

Key precision abrasive waterjet strengths

• Can produce parts up to 12" (30 cm) thick in virtually any material while holding tolerances on the order of ±0.003" to ±0.005" (±0.08 to ±0.1 mm) for parts 2" (5 cm) thick or less
• Can machine reflective, conductive and thicker materials such as stainless steel and aluminum, copper and brass
• Cuts without melting, providing a smooth uniform surface with very little burr or dross
• No Heat Affected Zone (HAZ), which may eliminate the need for a secondary operation to remove HAZ. This also makes conventional secondary operations, such as reaming or tapping, easier to perform.
• No noxious gas or vapors produced during cutting
• Simple and rapid programming and set up for short-run parts

The key reasons laser shops and laser users buy a precision abrasivejet are that it typically costs 1/3 the capital price of a laser and that it can work a much wider variety of materials, particularly aluminum and stainless steel over 1/2 inch (13 mm) thick. A shop that previously farmed out work to a laser house can afford to buy an abrasivejet and perform the work in-house, saving money and improving scheduling and flexibility. This also means a laser house can afford to purchase a precision abrasivejet solely to work in thicker aluminum and stainless steel and in material that a laser can not cut (such as composites, ceramics, titanium, etc).