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M.W. Waldrop Company Inc.
14247 Bandera Street
Houston, Texas 77015
Phone: 713.453.4316
Fax: 713.453.4319
email: sales@waldropco.com
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WaterJet Services Division
Abrasive jet technology, with its computer aided design features, opens new avenues to the manufacturing process. The ability to move from simple design sketches to actual finished product in short order is now realistic. This is especially valuable in the research and design phase of projects as well as within the artistic community where ideas are often born on the sketchpad.
WaterJet or abrasive jet technology has been used in numerous industry segments since the early 1970's. This process provides smooth satin like finishes and introduces no heat into the machining process. As a result, there are no heat affected zones or structural changes in the material and requires minimal secondary de-burring operations. A wide range of materials can be machined from titanium and hardened tool steel to ceramics, plastics, rubber and glass. You'll note this material list includes non-conduction materials - a significant advantage over laser and EDM processes.
The Advantages
Here are some of the advantages of this process:
- Virtually any material is machinable regardless of hardness, metallurgical or reflective properties.
- Repeatable tolerances to +/- 0.005 are achievable
- No expensive tooling is required. This leads to shortened production times – from concept to reality in short order. Changes? Not an issue with the integrated CAD software. Modifications are downloaded from the updated drawings.
- Part “nesting” reduces material costs.
- Cut shapes previously prohibitively expensive: curves, angles, corners and script.
The advantages are clear; WaterJet technology has evolved to rapid application development system that is highly repeatable.
Typical Applications
Numerous applications can benefit from this technique:
- Manufacturing. If your end product involves any convention machining methods you really should investigate this process. From adding intricate style to your project to reducing secondary operations, this application has value added potential that can enhance your bottom line.
- Near net part production.
- Repetitive production runs. From the first part to the last part each item is identical.
- Tile and ceramic custom designs. Create elaborate designs in ceramic, marble and tile. Mix and match materials. Custom inlays can be manufactured to give your project that special touch.
- Signage and Artwork. Script artwork is practicable under this technologies CAD capabilities. Use your imagination – if you can draw it, we can cut it…
From the medical field to the oilfield, nearly every industry segment is
now utilizing this technology.
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