Sheet Metal Parts - Waterjet

User Input

1. Select "Material. The Edge Quality is a "Q3", which is an average between Q1-Q5.

When waterjet cutting there are 5 different types of edge quality:
Q1 Separation cut. Requires force to separate. Generally used for rough cuts of plate.
Q2 Through cut. Sever bottom striations. Generally requires further processing.
Q3 Clean cut. Moderate bottom striations. Suitable for some static parts with no further processing. Should be specified when further machining will be required.
Q4 Good edge finish. Limited striations. Can be used in many applications with no further processing.
Q5 Highest edge quality produced by slowest cutting speed. Minimal edge taper. Surface is smooth, although there can be light vertical striations. Can be used in most applications with no further processing.

2. Select "Material Thickness Total".

Total thickness means the total thickness of the entire stack of parts.

3. Select "Part Weight Range"

4. Enter "Cut Distance" that the waterjet will be cutting.

5. The "Cut Time per inch" will be the rate the program calculates based on the thickness and edge quality of "Q3".

6. "Rapid Trav Distance" is the approximate distance the machine is expected to move in rapid.

This is calculated in the background.

7. The "Rapid Rate IPM" is set to 1000 IPM.

This is set in the background

8. Enter the "Number of Parts Stacked" if more than one part is being cut at the same time.

Stacked parts are one on top of the other. Multiple parts in a sheet are not considered here. That would require a different model. In this model, the estimator is inputting the size of one piece only. This reasoning behind this is that multiple different parts can be made out on one sheet of the same thickness. That is an unforeseen or calculable event, therefore the calculation is based on a per piece time.

9. Enter the types of piercing required.

The type of pierce is not asked for in this model.

Enter the proper quantities of pierces as well.

10. Enter the "Number of Sharp Corners".

Each sharp corner slows down the waterjet cut speed.

The program will calculate the entire waterjet process based on the entries above.