Water Jet VS Laser Cutting Service – Which is Better?

Laser cutting and water jet are the two most common cutting methods, various manufactures use for cutting and shaping different materials. Some manufactures do not doubt to ask for a laser cutting service, while others prefer to choose water jet as a reliable solution for their material-cutting needs. Also, it is not uncommon for others do doubt between these two cutting methods.

Although these two popular methods serve for a same purpose – cutting materials, they are completely different methods, and as such each of them has certain advantages and disadvantages. This is the main reason why many find it difficult to choose between the two methods.

If you need to choose between a laser cutting service and water jet service, what you need to know since the very beginning, is that there is no better method. In fact, the successful outcome of each of these services depends entirely on the specific features and requirements of a certain cutting application. The main factors that determine which method is better for your material-cutting applications are: the type of material to be cut; the thickness of the material; cutting accuracy; the required edge finish, etc.

Only by understanding both methods, you'll be able to determine which one makes a better option for your cutting applications. For this reason, let's go through the basis of each material-cutting services and make a detailed comparison between them.

A Laser Cutting Service

• Procedure

  A typical laser cutting service is performed with a special machine called laser cutter. The laser cutter is powered by a gas laser, in most cases it is a CO2 laser. The CO2 gas laser, is delivered through a beam directly to the material that needs to be cut. The laser energy generates high-temperature heat, which is the vital segment in the process of melting or vaporizing the material that is being processed. The laser cutting machine can process materials with thickness ranging from 3mm to 10mm.

• Materials

  A laser cutting service makes a good option for cutting more different types of materials, including: various different metals, glass, plastic and wood.

• Applications

  The material-cutting procedure performed with a laser cutting machine can be used for a variety of industrial applications, ranging from structuring, welding, drilling, ablation to engraving.

• Precision

  Laser cutting is one of the most precise cutting methods. However, there are many factors that influence the precision of the end product, such as: the type of material, the thickness of the material, the speed of the laser and the distance maintained during the cutting procedure.

• Safety

  Safety is not a matter of concern when it comes to laser cutting despite the high heat. There is a minimum risk for the people directly involved in the procedure. Also, during this procedure minimum amount of waste is produced. However, a proper ventilation is a must for ensuring protection from the fumes, smoke and dust certain materials may produce.

Water Jet Cutting Service

• Procedure

  As the name of the procedure implies, water jet is performed with the use of special machines called water cutters, which are powered by highly-pressurized water. In some cases when a greater cutting ability is needed, some abrasive substances such as aluminum oxide are added in the water. The pressurized water is delivered through special water pumps. This results in a natural process, erosion.

• Materials

  Unlike the laser cutting service which is used for cutting only one specific material at a time, with water jet service can be cut both, homogeneous materials and materials which are consisted of several different materials.

• Applications

  Water jet cutting services can be used for many industrial applications which include cutting of materials, such as structuring and ablation. With this service, you can cut materials which cannot be cut accurately with laser cutter such as stone, thick metals and ceramics.

• Precision

  Due to the fact that for this cutting procedure, high-level force is used, small and thin parts cannot be cut precisely, unless if treated very carefully and special attention, but this can often be quite a time consuming.

• Safety

  The water jet cutting method is very noisy and produces high amount of waste, which is a combination of material residue, water and abrasive substances. For this reason, it is highly recommended paying a lot of attention on personal protection.