The Waterjet Machining Center for which proposals are being solicited via this RFP is to be used as an addition to the array of equipment currently on campus and operational in the Engineering Machine Shop (EMS).
Industry wide, waterjet cutting has been proven to be one of the most efficient ways (both in speed and cost of operation) of shaping a very broad spectrum of materials, ranging from basic metals, to super alloys and plastics to composites and even glasses and ceramics. The cutting mechanism at work is a high pressure jet of water mixed with an abrasive directed at a workpiece. The abrasive action will precisely cut a fine kerf in the material with very high aspect ratio (up to 200) of kerf width and workpiece thickness. No special tooling for each variety of material is needed and no change in setup or fixturing is required, saving in time as well as operating costs. This method of cutting generates very little heat, as opposed to comparable techniques such as plasma-cutting, laser-cutting or flame-cutting (techniques mostly restricted to metals) and will therefore not alter the material properties which can be of essence in the typical research conducted with the resulting parts.
Our mandate in the EMS is to provide technical support, manufacture, assemble, modify and repair laboratory equipment as well as manufacture test specimens as required for customer contract-work as well as research testing. The addition of an on-site waterjet machining center will quickly become an essential instrument to enhance our ability to serve the Engineering faculty.
