AUTODESK FUSION FOR WATER JET CUTTING
Water Jet Cutting Software
Water Jet Cutting Software
Specialized tools for CNC water jet cutting in Autodesk Fusion ensure precise and accurate results. With features like nesting and path optimization, you can optimize material usage, minimize waste, and enhance manufacturing efficiency.
What is a water jet?
What is a water jet?
A water jet, also known as a water jet cutter, is a machine that uses a high-pressure jet of water to cut or shape various materials. It is a versatile cutting tool used in industries such as manufacturing, engineering, and fabrication.
Water jet cutting works by pressurizing water and directing it through a small orifice at very high speeds. The pressure is typically generated by a high-pressure pump, which can produce pressures up to 90,000 pounds per square inch (psi) or sometimes even higher.
Water jet cutting can produce intricate shapes and is used for both straight cuts and complex curves. This is a preferred method for cutting materials that may be too delicate for other processes or where minimal material wastage is desired.
A water jet, also known as a water jet cutter, is a machine that uses a high-pressure jet of water to cut or shape various materials. It is a versatile cutting tool used in industries such as manufacturing, engineering, and fabrication.
Water jet cutting works by pressurizing water and directing it through a small orifice at very high speeds. The pressure is typically generated by a high-pressure pump, which can produce pressures up to 90,000 pounds per square inch (psi) or sometimes even higher.
Water jet cutting can produce intricate shapes and is used for both straight cuts and complex curves. This is a preferred method for cutting materials that may be too delicate for other processes or where minimal material wastage is desired.
What is water jet cutting software?
What is water jet cutting software?
Water jet cutting software revolutionizes the manufacturing process by granting manufacturers full control over water jet machines. With CAM software, manufacturers can gain access to powerful tools for directing and regulating water jet nozzles across multiple axes, ranging from 2D to 5-axis capabilities.
This technology allows the creation of intricate features on a wide range of materials. This includes metals, wood, composites, sheet products, stone, foam, and plastic. The result is the production of high-quality components in large quantities, with exceptional precision and efficiency.
Water jet cutting software revolutionizes the manufacturing process by granting manufacturers full control over water jet machines. With CAM software, manufacturers can gain access to powerful tools for directing and regulating water jet nozzles across multiple axes, ranging from 2D to 5-axis capabilities.
This technology allows the creation of intricate features on a wide range of materials. This includes metals, wood, composites, sheet products, stone, foam, and plastic. The result is the production of high-quality components in large quantities, with exceptional precision and efficiency.
Laser cutting vs. water jet cutting
Laser cutting vs. water jet cutting
Water jet cutting and laser cutting offer distinct advantages depending on the requirements of a project. Laser cutting uses a high-powered, heat-intensive laser to cut metals, plastics, and composites. It's particularly effective for thinner materials, yet it introduces the possibility of heat-affected zones (HAZ), potentially altering material properties around the cut.Â
Water jet cutting is ideal for precise, clean cuts and utilizes a cold-cutting process that protects material integrity and avoids the risk of distortion due to thermal stress. It is optimal for cutting thicker materials including steel, aluminum, titanium, plastics, and copper. Water jet cutting can handle a wider range of materials, making it a versatile choice for many applications where preserving material integrity is crucial.
Water jet cutting and laser cutting offer distinct advantages depending on the requirements of a project. Laser cutting uses a high-powered, heat-intensive laser to cut metals, plastics, and composites. It's particularly effective for thinner materials, yet it introduces the possibility of heat-affected zones (HAZ), potentially altering material properties around the cut.Â
Water jet cutting is ideal for precise, clean cuts and utilizes a cold-cutting process that protects material integrity and avoids the risk of distortion due to thermal stress. It is optimal for cutting thicker materials including steel, aluminum, titanium, plastics, and copper. Water jet cutting can handle a wider range of materials, making it a versatile choice for many applications where preserving material integrity is crucial.
Industries using water jet cutting software
See examples of industries utilizing water jet cutting for manufacturing.
See examples of industries utilizing water jet cutting for manufacturing.
Automotive
Automotive
Water jet cutting is used to make a wide range of component parts commonly found in vehicles. This includes interior trim, body panels (in both metals and fiber-glass), exhaust and braking systems, insulation, gaskets, bumpers, and more.
Water jet cutting is used to make a wide range of component parts commonly found in vehicles. This includes interior trim, body panels (in both metals and fiber-glass), exhaust and braking systems, insulation, gaskets, bumpers, and more.
Aerospace
Aerospace
Water jet cutting is used to make component parts including body parts, cabin panels, custom structural parts, and landing gear. It is also used for processing exotic alloys found in engine components such as turbines and guide vanes.
Water jet cutting is used to make component parts including body parts, cabin panels, custom structural parts, and landing gear. It is also used for processing exotic alloys found in engine components such as turbines and guide vanes.
Medical
Medical
Water jet cutting software is frequently used to make parts and components in the medical equipment industry. These include items such as surgical instruments, artificial limbs, braces, prototypes, and orthopedic appliances.
Water jet cutting software is frequently used to make parts and components in the medical equipment industry. These include items such as surgical instruments, artificial limbs, braces, prototypes, and orthopedic appliances.
Sheet metal fabrication
Sheet metal fabrication
Water jet cutting is used to make sheet metal parts for different industries. Parts are cut to size and specification before being assembled for use in building enclosures, furniture, architectural works, or food and beverage components.
Water jet cutting is used to make sheet metal parts for different industries. Parts are cut to size and specification before being assembled for use in building enclosures, furniture, architectural works, or food and beverage components.
Construction
Construction
Water jet cutting is used to cut a wide range of materials such as metals, stone, tiles, and marble. It is also effective for slicing granite, concrete, glass, composite materials, insulation, bespoke elements, and other architectural components.
Water jet cutting is used to cut a wide range of materials such as metals, stone, tiles, and marble. It is also effective for slicing granite, concrete, glass, composite materials, insulation, bespoke elements, and other architectural components.
Electronics
Electronics
Water jet cutting is used in the electronics sector to cut aluminum, copper plates, insulators, and heat sinks. It is also used to cut electronic enclosures, metal panels, gaskets and seals, flexible circuits, ceramic substrates, alloys, and plastics.
Water jet cutting is used in the electronics sector to cut aluminum, copper plates, insulators, and heat sinks. It is also used to cut electronic enclosures, metal panels, gaskets and seals, flexible circuits, ceramic substrates, alloys, and plastics.
Features of waterjet cutting software
Powerful design tools
Powerful design tools
Whether you're importing existing 2D designs or starting from scratch, the intuitive interface in Autodesk Fusion allows you to sketch and define complex geometries with ease, along with providing complete control over dimensions, tolerances, and other design parameters, ensuring your designs are accurate and precise.
Whether you're importing existing 2D designs or starting from scratch, the intuitive interface in Autodesk Fusion allows you to sketch and define complex geometries with ease, along with providing complete control over dimensions, tolerances, and other design parameters, ensuring your designs are accurate and precise.
Benefits of waterjet cutting software
Accuracy
Accuracy
Water jet cutting can achieve high levels of accuracy with profile tolerances of ±0.1mm. This accuracy means water jet cutting can match the stringent standards for automotive, aerospace, consumer products, and more.
Water jet cutting can achieve high levels of accuracy with profile tolerances of ±0.1mm. This accuracy means water jet cutting can match the stringent standards for automotive, aerospace, consumer products, and more.
Quality
Quality
Water jet machining creates high-quality, warp-resistant parts with minimum heat. CAM software controls nozzle pressure, traverse speeds, lead-in/out motions, and more.
Water jet machining creates high-quality, warp-resistant parts with minimum heat. CAM software controls nozzle pressure, traverse speeds, lead-in/out motions, and more.
Efficiency
Efficiency
Water jet machining is efficient because tool nozzles may be swapped to alter kerf thicknesses. This lowers machine downtime and increases flexibility.
Water jet machining is efficient because tool nozzles may be swapped to alter kerf thicknesses. This lowers machine downtime and increases flexibility.
Cost reduction
Cost reduction
Water jet cutting software's nesting tools enable batch manufacturing. Automated layering streamlines CAM programming, reducing human error. It reduces waste, boosts output, and cuts labor expenses.
Water jet cutting software's nesting tools enable batch manufacturing. Automated layering streamlines CAM programming, reducing human error. It reduces waste, boosts output, and cuts labor expenses.
What are the different types of water jet cutters?
Water jet machines come in many varieties and are classified by material size. Some waterjet cutters have specialized abrasives and nozzles for certain materials.
Water jet machines come in many varieties and are classified by material size. Some waterjet cutters have specialized abrasives and nozzles for certain materials.
Water-only cutting
Water-only cutting
As the name suggests, water-only cutting use high-pressure without abrasive. While these water jet cutters can lack the power to cut through certain metals, they are a solid option for materials like foam, rubber, plastics, wood, softer composites, and several other materials.
As the name suggests, water-only cutting use high-pressure without abrasive. While these water jet cutters can lack the power to cut through certain metals, they are a solid option for materials like foam, rubber, plastics, wood, softer composites, and several other materials.
Abrasive water jets
Abrasive water jets
Abrasive water jets are best suited to cutting through harder materials. They use pressurized water mixed combined with abrasive media to provide the extra power required for harder metals. The use of different abrasives types and sizes helps produce specific surface finishes.
Abrasive water jets are best suited to cutting through harder materials. They use pressurized water mixed combined with abrasive media to provide the extra power required for harder metals. The use of different abrasives types and sizes helps produce specific surface finishes.
High pressure cutting
High pressure cutting
High-pressure water jet cutting combines abrasive media with water pressures exceeding 50,000 psi. While not every material needs this pressure - this is an ideal choice when processing exotic materials including carbon fiber, ballistic materials, and Nickel-based alloys such as Inconel.
High-pressure water jet cutting combines abrasive media with water pressures exceeding 50,000 psi. While not every material needs this pressure - this is an ideal choice when processing exotic materials including carbon fiber, ballistic materials, and Nickel-based alloys such as Inconel.
What materials can be cut with water jet cutting software?
Learn what materials are typically used with water jet cutters.
Learn what materials are typically used with water jet cutters.
Organics
A wide range of organic materials including different types of wood, stone, and ceramics.
A wide range of organic materials including different types of wood, stone, and ceramics.
Metals
A diverse range of metals including different grades of steel, Inconel, Titanium, and Aluminum.
A diverse range of metals including different grades of steel, Inconel, Titanium, and Aluminum.
Composites
More advanced composites including ballistic materials, plastics, and carbon fiber.
More advanced composites including ballistic materials, plastics, and carbon fiber.
What can you make with water jet cutting software?
Automotive
Water jet cutting is used to make a wide range of component parts commonly found in vehicles. This includes interior trim, body panels (in both metals and fiber-glass), exhaust and braking systems, insulation, gaskets, bumpers, and more.
Aerospace
Water jet cutting is used to make component parts including body parts, cabin panels, custom structural parts, and landing gear. It is also used for processing exotic alloys found in engine components such as turbines and guide vanes.
Medical
Water jet cutting software is frequently used to make parts and components in the medical equipment industry. These include items such as surgical instruments, artificial limbs, braces, prototypes, and orthopedic appliances.
Sheet metal fabrication
Water jet cutting is used to make sheet metal parts for different industries. Parts are cut to size and specification before being assembled for use in building enclosures, furniture, architectural works, or food and beverage components.
Autodesk water jet cutting software
Unlock endless possibilities with Autodesk Fusion for water jet cutting
Get ready to revolutionize your manufacturing processes, unleash your creativity, and bring your designs to life.
Get ready to revolutionize your manufacturing processes, unleash your creativity, and bring your designs to life.
Water jet cutting software resources
Learn more about water jet cutting software with the following resources from Autodesk.
Learn more about water jet cutting software with the following resources from Autodesk.
Fusion: A solution for water jet, laser cutter, and plasma table projects
Explore how Autodesk Fusion offers various solutions for 2D cutting, including for water jet, laser cutter, or plasma table projects.
Explore how Autodesk Fusion offers various solutions for 2D cutting, including for water jet, laser cutter, or plasma table projects.
Water jet, laser, or plasma tool (WLP) tool reference
Get a detailed description of parameters in the water jet tool reference for Fusion.
Get a detailed description of parameters in the water jet tool reference for Fusion.
Export a 3D model to .dxf for water jet cutting from Fusion
Learn the steps needed to export a 3D model to .dxf format in Fusion, to then use the sketch for CNC routing, plasma cutting, laser cutting, or water jet cutting.
Learn the steps needed to export a 3D model to .dxf format in Fusion, to then use the sketch for CNC routing, plasma cutting, laser cutting, or water jet cutting.
Autodesk Fusion for water jet cutting
Learn how to streamline and simplify the CNC programming process with Fusion. Design 3D models, generate toolpaths, simulate operations to avoid errors, and automatically produce G-code, enhancing efficiency, precision, and flexibility in manufacturing operations.
Learn how to streamline and simplify the CNC programming process with Fusion. Design 3D models, generate toolpaths, simulate operations to avoid errors, and automatically produce G-code, enhancing efficiency, precision, and flexibility in manufacturing operations.
Precision CNC machining
Discover how precision machining operates and produces complex parts with the tightest tolerances required by the most demanding industries.
Discover how precision machining operates and produces complex parts with the tightest tolerances required by the most demanding industries.
CNC programming software with G-code
Learn the steps needed to export a 3D model to .dxf format in Autodesk Fusion, to then use the sketch for CNC routing, plasma cutting, laser cutting, or water jet cutting.
Learn the steps needed to export a 3D model to .dxf format in Autodesk Fusion, to then use the sketch for CNC routing, plasma cutting, laser cutting, or water jet cutting.
Water jet cutting software frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yes, water jet cutting software like Autodesk Fusion can be run on both PC and Apple Mac hardware.
A water jet can cut any type of metal, like aluminum, brass, copper, Titanium, and stainless steel. The most powerful waterjet machines can even cut through diamonds.
Water jet cutting machinery is supplied as a complete working solution and contains all of the hardware and consumable elements required. In addition, it is preferable to invest in CAM software that can generate NC machining code to tell the CNC machine what to do.