There was a time when glass cutting was considered a challenging task. However, this is not the case today. Glass cutting is not a difficult task now as there is an efficient cutting technique that has evolved, the waterjet cutting method. It is a widely chosen method that can provide clean cuts on glass ranging from the most brittle LED light glass to extremely strong bulletproof glass. The method is popular for its capability to precisely cut glass pieces, without scratching or cracking the surface.
However, since glass is a delicate material, several factors should be taken into consideration when cutting it. The blog gives tips on the same.
Tips to Cutting Glass Using Waterjet Cutting
By following the tips below, you can cut glass into intricate shapes and sizes, without damaging the work piece.
- Waterjet stream is powerful enough to shake or vibrate the work piece. Ensure that the glass is fully supported and can handle the pressure induced during the cutting operation.
- Check the speed of the cut when shearing thin sheets of glass. It is advisable to slow down the cutting speed to avoid exerting vertical force on the work piece, which may lead to cracks or scores.
- Being a delicate material, glass has a tendency to crack when exposed to pressure. To avoid this, holes must be drilled into the glass prior to cutting it. Proceed with the rest of the cutting, concentrating from the pre-drilled or pre-pierced location. This helps reduce vertical pressure on the work piece, helping creating precise cuts without damaging the material being cut.
- When piercing holes in the glass, maintain the operating pressure between 10,000 – 20,000 psi.
- If the water stream contains fine particles, it could result in damaging the work piece. Consider using an abrasive mesh. This helps block fine dust and other particles, improving the quality of the water stream.
You must have complete control on the cutting operation. You must regulate the cutting speed every time the cut leads off the edge of the work piece. If this is not taken care of, the work piece that is exposed to the waterjet stream may crack or chip.
Versatile Solution to Cut Glass to User Specifications
Over the years, waterjet cutting has been replacing several other traditional cutting methods, including plasma and EDM cutting. When it comes to cutting glass, several reasons account for the popularity of waterjet cutting, such as:
- Ability to cut in any direction
- No HAZs (Heat Affected Zones)
- Environmental friendly
- No dust, toxic gases, or fumes generated as by products
- Flexible machine integration
- Fast and safe
Cutting glass is now simple and cost effective. No matter what the shape, size, and pattern you need, waterjet cutting can deliver high-precision finished products in no time. Without any tooling or set up changes, you can go about waterjet glass cutting to close tolerance levels.