Advantages of Water Jet Cutting Brass

Manufacturers and fabrication companies are becoming more familiar with the immense benefits of water jet cutting brass, bronze, and other specialty metals as an alternative to saws, torches, lasers, or plasma for creating uniquely shaped parts. Precision Steel Services is proud to offer a modernized Jet Edge Dual-Carriage Mid-Rail Water Jet Cutting System for customers seeking incredible accuracy and efficient production of a wide range of final components. This cold-cutting procedure does not require heat or flames to slice through increasingly thick materials without resulting in distorted edges, oxidation, or additional finishing. The experienced team at Precision Steel provides cost-competitive hourly rates for water jet-cutting brass and delivers the requisite accuracy needed for unique parts fabricated from brass for numerous industries.

‍

How Dual-Head Water Jet Cutting Works

Water jet cutting utilizes a high-pressure stream of water, sometimes enhanced with fine-grain abrasives, to follow a computer-controlled cutting path with incredible accuracy. Essentially functioning as an accelerated erosion process, water jet cutting has emerged throughout the industrial world as a versatile and cost-effective machining process. The Dual-Carriage Mid Rail Water Jet used at Precision Steel uses two separate dual-Z carriages that can be programmed to work in sync on a single part or cut two parts simultaneously. With exceptional positional accuracy within 0.001”, the cutting heads provide tremendous repeatability on even complex shapes.

‍

While it is possible to complete precise cuts without abrasives, water jet cutting brass and bronze does require some additional help to achieve the necessary accuracy and smoothed edges. The most typical abrasive added to the high-pressure water stream is known as almandine garnet and it possesses the ideal combination of hardness, particle density, toughness, and shape. Other abrasives include aluminum oxide, diamonds, silicon carbide, and a variety of different sand grains depending on the part material. 

‍

Industries Utilizing Water Jet Cutting for Brass Parts

Thanks to its versatility, efficiency, and competitive prices, water jet cutting is required by OEMs and businesses in several industries. Precision Steel Services uses its water jet equipment to address the increasingly refined specifications and part designs of the following industries. 

‍

• Architectural: In addition to our work producing aluminum extrusions used in the architectural industry, we’ve started producing stunning upscale brass and bronze tubing and foot rails, handrails, and stair railing components. Used throughout luxury hotels, homes, and commercial spaces, water jet cutting provides the necessary accuracy and smooth edge finish required for these applications. 

‍

• Interior Finishings: Knobs, handles, towel bars, hinges, and faucets are all upscale brass components that can be expertly cut by water jet equipment at Precision Steel Services. With rounded edges, curves, and stylish design features water jet cutting delivers dimensional accuracy and softened edges that require minimal post-machining finishing. 

‍

• Mechanical Parts: Thanks to the impressively low friction coefficient of brass it serves as an ideal base material for moving parts like gears or bearings. Additionally, the resistance of brass to corrosive agents like saltwater exposure makes brass parts suitable for marine environments or challenging manufacturing conditions. 

‍

• Aerospace: The accuracy and “cold-cutting” nature of water jet cutting brass makes it a desirable fabrication choice for aerospace components like piping, tubing, electrical connectors, and nuts and bolts. With prototyping and R&D playing such an important factor in aerospace engineering, water jet cutting provides a cost-effective solution for quickly producing new iterations of products for testing.

‍

‍

FAQs About Water Jet Cutting Brass Parts

As a metal alloy, brass can present some unique challenges to even the most experienced fabrication companies and both first-time and long-time manufacturers. Our team has put together some frequently asked questions about water jet-cutting brass parts to help potential customers understand if it is the right process for their job. 

‍

1. How does the cost of water jet cutting compare to other methods?‍
   • With specialty materials where added abrasives are needed or the flow rate is reduced, the cost can increase for water jet cutting but this cutting method will likely be the most cost-effective option for thicker materials. 

‍

2. How thick of material can water jet jetting get through?‍
   • Ultimately the answer to this question depends on several factors including the composition of the material, the hardness, and the precisely calibrated pressure of the water jet stream. The water jet equipment at Precision Steel has the power to cut through various materials up to half a foot in thickness while still being gentle enough to handle thin or delicate materials. 

‍

3. Can the water jet stream follow difficult curves or edges required in brass parts?‍
   • Yes! The computer-controlled cutting heads are capable of following complex part designs with ease. The accuracy and reduced cutting path allow for maximum efficiency during production while also reducing material waste across the full production cycle.

‍

4. Is it easy to get a quote for water jet-cutting services? ‍
   • Absolutely! Just follow our “Request A Quote” button below and send along some more detailed information on your particular project including part design, specific material or brass alloy, production volume, and anything regarding turnaround times. After a brief review, a member of our team will contact you directly to provide more information!

‍

‍