Board logo

Water Jet Cutting
Mike S - 23/4/07 at 07:46 AM

I want to get some rear wing struts made up out of aluminium sheet (10g or 3mm or so)

Could make by hand but I need 4 made and it would be nice to have them all identical.

Can get plasma cutting done locally but I would prefer not to use a hot process.

I think the best way would be get them cut on a "FloJet" (like they use on American Chopper)

Does anyone know where I can get this done and how expensive is it?

Also, would I need to supply AutoCad drawings or would a hand drawn sketch do?

Local to Kent would be a help but I guess posting parts the size I need would not be a big problem.

Cheers

Mike

kendo - 23/4/07 at 08:02 AM

Hi

I found these on google.

Kent WaterJet Cutting
Address: Ebbsfleet Farm
Ebbsfleet Lane
Ebbsfleet
Ramsgate
Kent
CT12 5DL
Telephone: +44 (0)1843 824088
Mobile: +44 (0)7966 688947
Email: enquiries@kentwaterjet.co.uk

Never used this firm so can't comment on quality or service.

The cost for water jet cutting ususally pretty reasonable. However the more info you provide the less it will cost so, if you have an electronic drawing that would be best. Otherwise you pay for someone to draw it for you.

iank - 23/4/07 at 08:05 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Mike S
I want to get some rear wing struts made up out of aluminium sheet (10g or 3mm or so)

Could make by hand but I need 4 made and it would be nice to have them all identical.

Can get plasma cutting done locally but I would prefer not to use a hot process.

I think the best way would be get them cut on a "FloJet" (like they use on American Chopper)

Does anyone know where I can get this done and how expensive is it?

Also, would I need to supply AutoCad drawings or would a hand drawn sketch do?

Local to Kent would be a help but I guess posting parts the size I need would not be a big problem.

Cheers

Mike


I got a quote for some laser cutting, which wasn't too bad cost wise for aluminium, I'd imagine water cutters would be a similar price.
Cost shoots down once you get over 5 items of the same design.

I had the option of supplying my own aluminium, if the cutter source material they will likely add a handling charge.

You will need it in dxf format, if you provide a paper drawing someone will have to enter it into autocad or similar anyway as the machines are all computer controlled. I'd imagine the hourly rate for CAD drafting would make it cost effective to do yourself.

Catpuss - 23/4/07 at 08:28 AM

You can get hold of a basic cad package that produces DXFs, quite possibly on a free trial.
If you have access to a scanner, you can scan the drawings and look around for some vectorising software that will convert it to a rought DXF for editing.

It may save you a bit of time. Personally though I'd do it straight into a CAD package as you can get a neater start.

Ivan - 23/4/07 at 08:57 AM

I had some aluminium cut by water jet and was very happy with the result - their quote was about 25% cheaper than laser cutting.

Can't recommend anyone as I'm in South Africa

[Edited on 23/4/07 by Ivan]

Mike S - 23/4/07 at 09:14 AM

Thanks guys.

gy351100 - 23/4/07 at 09:52 AM

hi there
theres a water jet cutting co in morecambe
i dont know the address off hand but i could find out
i do know it's on the white lund industrial estate
you only need to supply a template
they may want you to supply the material

hope that is some help

keith

SDS7 - 23/4/07 at 11:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by gy351100
hi there
theres a water jet cutting co in morecambe
i dont know the address off hand but i could find out
i do know it's on the white lund industrial estate
you only need to supply a template
they may want you to supply the material

hope that is some help

keith


There website is K-Cut if that is any help
Craig.

BenB - 23/4/07 at 01:14 PM

I'd recommend http://www.laser-eng.com/....
They laser cut me some parts for way less than most water jetting places wanted...
I've used them twice and both times I've been very happy with their service.

I drew up the parts on the eMachineshop program and exported them in a DXF file (with an explanatory description so they could check the scale was right).... Sent in a cheque and a few days later the parts arrived....

I think I paid 30 quid [maybe 35] (minimum order size)... That was for 5 trigger wheels.....