Why is water jet technology so suitable for the aerospace industry? The same properties that allow water jet technology to grow rapidly in machine tool foundations make it particularly suitable for aerospace and other external material processing and cutting. The water jet can be cut at any Angle, creating the final part with little or no manual work around key angles. The water jet is a cold cutting technology, so there is no thermal damage to the material. Aerospace composites can be drilled and cut using Folo's patented sand-filled water jet technology without the need for surface stripping. Easily integrated with new or existing robots and gantry, the sand-filled waterknife allows for quick reprogramming for short runs, quick replacement or removal of heads, templates, guides and manual edging. Because they generate little or no vertical force, waterjet do not require extended part clamping. Therefore, the fixture is greatly reduced, the capital investment is reduced and the work can be quickly set and replaced. Because the cutting of composite materials is faster, the tool life is longer, the dust is not generated, and the production efficiency is cleaner and safer.
