Glass is a versatile material used in many different industries. Of course, glass does not come pre-cut in perfect pieces for everyone to use. Glass is cut to shape, according to needs. And this is where it gets tricky. Glass is delicate and can shatter under pressure.

Moreover, if the edges of the pieces are not smooth, it can cause bodily harm. So, what is the best way to cut glass? There are many traditional methods. However, waterjets are the most versatile. They also happen to be the safest and effective.

Waterjet cutters for glass use high-pressure water along with abrasives to make precise cuts. Moreover, they can work on all kinds of different glass too. Here is all you need to know about waterjet cutting glass. 

Can a Waterjet Cut Glass?

Waterjets are very efficient at cutting materials. And it happens to be one of the most effective ways to cut glass. It produces very clean cuts if done right. Moreover, waterjets can cut all kinds of glass – even specialty ones.

Expert waterjet operators can make intricate cuts on glass without much hassle. As a result, it leads to increased productivity and higher quality outputs. Additionally, using waterjets to cut glass is very cost effective. It saves time as well. This is why waterjets are the preferred choice for cutting glass commercially.

How Does Waterjet Cutting Glass Work?

Waterjets use a naturally occurring process to cut different materials – erosion. It accelerates that process using high-pressure water streams and an abrasive substance. A waterjet has three main components:

• Cutting table
• High-pressure pump
• The controller

Different models of waterjets can have additional components. The extra components add specific features like a traversing system which allows the operator to place the nozzle more precisely. 

Understanding the components will help you understand how it works. The pump is one of its main components. It pressurizes the water into very high PSI, which can then be used to cut the glass.

A waterjet can use either only high-pressure water, or high-pressure water along with an abrasive material to cut. The water and the abrasive get mixed up in the aptly named mixing chamber.

In some waterjet cutter models, the abrasive mixed water can also be switched at the nozzle. So, if, for any reason, pure water cutting is needed, you can switch between the two effortlessly. The nozzle has a very small orifice primarily made from diamond or ruby. The high-pressure water shoots through the nozzle to cut the class in any shape you want.

What Types of Glass Can Be Cut with a Waterjet?

Waterjet cutters can be used to cut all sorts of glass. This is one of the reasons that makes this method so efficient. Therefore, you can buy a single machine to do all sorts of glass-cutting work. With a waterjet, you can cut:

• Normal glass
• Laminated glass
• Ballistic laminated glass
• And other types of glass

Applications of Waterjet Cutting Glass

Since waterjets are so effective at cutting glass, tons of industries use it to cut glass commercially. It has become the norm for cutting glass in construction, automotive, electronics, and even the aerospace industry.

Waterjet cutting has become so ubiquitous that it is even used to cut simple glass materials for tempered-glass computer cases, for example. The applications for cutting glass with a waterjet are also quite broad. Here are some important applications of waterjet glass cutting:

Pressure Resistant Glass Cutting

Pressure-resistant glass is built to last. They are thicker than your normal glass. Additionally, most other glass-cutting methods are pretty much useless at cutting pressure-resistant glass. It will either damage the glass during the cutting process or do a bad job.

However, you can cut pressure-resistant glass with waterjets effectively. It does not damage the glass. The immense force from the waterjet is the perfect choice for these thick and durable glasses.

Szkło izolowane

Insulated glass has become very prominent in the construction industry over the years. They are perfect for insulating a home. Moreover, they look very cool. But insulated glass is also very thick and durable. Which means you need specialized equipment.

Waterjets can be used to cut these glass with ease. It can cut insulated glass according to the need for the construction project or the use case.

Tableware and Glassware

Since waterjets allow you to cut glass in any shape, its use has surged in popularity in the custom glass and tableware industry. Waterjets allow you to make intricate cuts and create beautiful glass pieces.

Companies can make glassware like wine glasses, plates, vases, and bowls. Additionally, waterjets are also perfect for ornamental glass pieces. The narrow nozzle can create very, very thin streams of water. 

Therefore, manufacturers of highly detailed and complex ornamental pieces can use them to make beautiful designs without figuring out some crazy way of achieving what they want. If you want to be competitive in the ornamental glass industry; you need a waterjet!

Lustra

You can also use waterjet cutters to cut mirrors. Cutting mirrors is especially tricky because of its coating. Mirrors use a special layer to give them their reflective surface. All mirrors are essentially a piece of glass treated with this reflective layer.

The layer is primarily made from nickel, silver, chromium, or tin. You need to be extra careful when cutting mirrors since you do not want to damage the coating. In addition, you also do not want to damage or chip the edges. As a result, waterjets can be used to precisely cut mirrors without damaging their function.

Mosaics and Glass Tiles

A house with tasteful tiles or mosaics can elevate the overall decor. Some high-end glass or mosaic tiles can be unbelievably intricate. Ever wondered how they are cut? Yes, waterjets! Manufacturers can create beautiful glass tiles and mosaics with complex patterns and design easily.

Drzwi prysznicowe

If you have seen glass shower doors in a bathroom, they were probably cut to shape using waterjets. Shower doors elevate any bathroom. Waterjet cutters are used to give them a precise edge and a premium finish.

Advantages of Waterjet Cutting Glass

Since glass is a delicate material with risks of cracking, there are tons of advantages to using waterjet cutters.

Wszechstronność

Firstly, waterjet cutters are very versatile when it comes to cutting glass. This is one of the biggest advantages of using waterjet cutters. The ability to cut all sorts of glass with high precision is one of the primary reasons waterjets are used for cutting glass commercially.

Cutting glass with traditional methods requires lots of specialized tooling. Not only can that be expensive, but you must also train your staff to operate these tools. Therefore, waterjets are a very effective way of cutting glass.

Ability to Cut Intricate Shapes

Waterjets are very useful for cutting complex shapes into glass. And the best part is they can do it without cutting into the glass itself. This opens up a world of possibilities.

Businesses use a multi-axis waterjet cutter for carving complex 3D shapes and more. You can create very intricate and complex shapes according to your needs this way. This means you will be able to meet all kinds of client demands and provide your customers with a wide range of design offerings.

Precyzja

Waterjets produce very high-quality and smooth edges due to their surgical precision. This makes the finished product look much more premium. Moreover, since the glass edges are not sharp, it reduces the risk of injury.

In addition, you also do not have to go through the hassle of additional finishing. Waterjet cutters do the job perfectly the first time. Which means you will save time and be more efficient.

Also, the smooth and precise edges allow the glass to be used for whatever purpose it was originally intended for without complications. You have the peace of mind that the final result will be usable and high-quality. And that reassurance is priceless.

It Reduces Scraps

There is little to no waste when cutting glass with waterjets. As a result, waterjets are very environmentally-friendly. Many waterjets allow you to isolate glass dust from the water. You can use the glass dust as an abrasive.

Moreover, waterjet cutting also allows the reuse of the glass that was cut during the process. Fewer scraps mean businesses can save money and repurpose material for other uses. This will help reduce costs and allow you to run your operations more efficiently.

Very Little Kerfs

The water that shoots out of the nozzle when cutting is very narrow. This precise stream of high-pressure water produces very little kerfs. As a result, you will not waste more materials than needed. Waterjet cutting glass results in very few kerfs.

Kerfs are the material that is inevitably removed during the cutting process. When the stream of pressurized water hits the glass, some glass will be removed from the workpiece in order to cut it. With waterjets, the amount of glass removed as kerfs is very low. So, you will not waste a ton of materials.

Practically No Limits to Thickness

These cutters are powerful tools that are purpose-built for the job. Therefore, you do not have to worry about compatible materials and thickness. You can buy the machine you want according to the specs, and rest assured; it can work with any glass thickness.

This is why waterjet cutters are the perfect tool for cutting glass. Unlike many traditional cutting methods, the machine’s capabilities do not limit you.

Waterjets Glass Cutting Has Low Operation Costs

Another very important benefit of waterjet cutters is the low operation costs. The costs are mostly the high-pressure water used for cutting and abrasives. The abrasive can be reused for future cuts too. Therefore, reducing the total operating cost of waterjets even more.

The Tooling is Very Flexible

The tooling required for cutting different kinds of glass with waterjets is mostly the same. This means there is no need to buy extra specialized tooling for different glass-cutting applications.

Tooling for traditional cutting methods is quite expensive. Moreover, there is the added hassle of fitting the right tooling for the job. You might have one tooling installed right now for cutting a certain type of glass.

For the next cut, you may need to change the tooling. This is a hassle you do not need to deal with with waterjets. Especially in commercial glass cutting applications where time is money. With waterets, the same toolings, abrasive, and cutting setup works on all kinds of glass.

Higher Productivity

You can use stacking to place multiple glass pieces on top of each other and cut them all simultaneously. Not only does this save time, the finished pieces are all identical. Plus, you, of course, get the benefits of a precise cut. This helps increase productivity and reduces downtime.

Tips and Precautions for Waterjet Cutting Glass

To get the most out of your waterjet glass cutter, there are some tips you can follow to increase the quality of your finished product. Moreover, these tips will also help you work safely.

Abrasive Quality

The abrasive is a critical component of waterjet cutting. Using inferior abrasives may result in low-quality cuts. Additionally, it can also damage the workpiece. To ensure your final pieces are pristine, always use finer abrasives. Additionally, fine abrasives reduce the chances of microchipping as well.

Check for Sagging Along the Abrasive Line

Another thing you need to look out for is sagging along the abrasive line. A saggy abrasive line will interfere with the abrasive flow to your waterjet’s nozzle. Ideally, you want to maintain a constant flow of abrasives for a good, clean cut. If you notice your abrasive line is sagging, you can fix it by shortening it.

Start With Low Water Pressure

When you start cutting your workpiece, always start with low water pressure. Then gradually start increasing it. In waterjet cutting, the abrasive flow starts off slow. Therefore, starting with a low water pressure initially ensures consistency between the water pressure and abrasive. The goal here is to match the flow rate of the water and the abrasive.

Fixtures Are Very Important

You should always use a waterjet brick. These bricks support the material you are cutting – in this case, glass. Proper fixtures like a waterjet brick provide support for the workpiece. Waterjet bricks are not literal bricks, though.

They are soft support structures that allow the water stream to pass through easily. Moreover, they do not bounce back on the glass either. But you need to ensure that the support brick is flat. Otherwise, you risk cracking the glass piece you are working on.

Be Careful of Sudden Temperature Changes

Glass does not do well with sudden temperature changes. So, if you just finished cutting the glass and pulled it out of a hot water catch tank, do not wash it with cold water right after. This abrupt temperature change can cause it to shatter. And you just rendered all the work you did completely void.

Use Long Lead Ins

Lead-ins are the starting point of your cuts. Always have a long lead-in whenever possible. This is a priceless tip that will save you from damaging the workpiece. Long lead-ins give you a safety buffer.

For example, if a crack appears during the first piercing, you can quickly course correct. You will have the option to stop the cut, and check where it went wrong. Also, the crack will not affect the final part.

Wnioski

Waterjets are perfect for cutting glass. Cutting out complex designs with any type of glass is one of the biggest benefits of waterjet cutting glass. Moreover, waterjets can work with most types of glass except for laminates.

The versatility of waterjets makes them the ideal choice for commercial use. It can help businesses save money, lower downtimes, and increase productivity. Not to mention, the high-quality final products. 

Hopefully, this guide answered all your questions about cutting glass with waterjets. If you want a comprehensive waterjet sourcing solution for glass cutting, be sure Sprawdź naszą kolekcję. Thanks for stopping by. 

FAQ For Waterjet Cutting Glass

Q. Can waterjets cut tempered glass?

Waterjets cannot cut tempered glass, and it is the only exception. They can cut all kinds of glass except tempered ones since tempered glass shatters to pieces when punctured by design.

Q. Can waterjets cut glass of any thickness?

Yes, waterjet cutters can precisely cut glass of any thickness. This is one of the biggest advantages of waterjet cutters. You will not need to buy different machines and tooling to work with multiple glass thicknesses.

Q. How much pressure do waterjet cutters use to cut glass?

Cutting glass precisely and producing a smooth edge requires a lot of pressure. Waterjets use about 60,000 PSI to cut glass. Moreover, the nozzle size should be between 0.030 – 0.035. And the orifice must be between 0.007 – 0.010 to get the best results.