That's right, Water!

The Waterjet cutting systems at ForTech pressurizes water into an intensely powerful stream that easily slices through all sorts of materials.

For tougher substances, we also have an Abrasive Waterjet tool. It works the same, but with abrasive mixed into the water stream, for cutting everything from steel to stone.

ForTech is the only facility in Central New York to offer Waterjet cutting. And with both techniques we bring you superior cutting without distortion and without expensive conventional machining.

Waterjet cutting is quick, cool and accurate.

Here's how it works: The water is pressurized up to 55,000 psi, then forced through a small jewel orifice (typically .006" to .019" dia.) It forms a coherent jet stream, exiting the orifice at an extremely high velocity.

This produces clean cuts with minimal kerf, and eliminates the distortions which can result from compression during conventional die cutting. Also, since water cuts without heat there is no smoke, toxic fumes or thermal stressing. There is no HAZ, heat affected zone. 

Small holes, narrow slots and intricate patterns may be cut without shredding or crushing in any of these materials:

• Plastics
• Non-wovens
• Foods
• Rubber
• Paper
• Corrugated cardboard
• Insulation
• Carpeting
• and more.

Abrasive Waterjet cutting is powerful and economical.

Harder materials (Rc25 or greater) can be cut with the same ease and speed using water infused with garnet or another abrasive. Even materials previously considered "unmachinable" can be processed now by ForTech.

There's no need to drill start holes, because Abrasive Waterjet cutting can pierce directly through at any point. And with fragile materials like glass, breakage and corner chipping is dramatically reduced. Tool-to-part contact is eliminated, so there is no friction, no thermal damage and no affect on metallurgical properties of heat-treated metals.

Environmentally sensitive materials are also ideally suited for Abrasive Waterjet cutting, because of the vast reduction in airborne particles.

Look to us for cost-effective cutting of virtually any known material, including:

• Stainless steels (all grades-300, 400 series, 17- 4)
• Alloy steels (4140, T1, AR)
• Super alloys (Inconel, Hastelloy, Astralloy, Stellite)
• Difficult materials (Kevlar, Titanium, ceramics, stone, concrete, composites, glass, cast acrylics, layered materials, armor plating, and copper-based alloys).

Better, faster, more cost effective cuts.

Both the Waterjet and Abrasive Waterjet techniques erode the target material with a cold abrasive process, producing no heat, work hardening, induced stress, warpage, or distortion. In the hands of ForTech's skilled machinists, cuts can be smooth and virtually perpendicular.

And because you receive net shape parts direct from the plate, bar, or sheet, you save the cost of plasma or flame cutting, cutting tools, and machine time.

Before you plan your next cutting job, let us show you how Fortech's new Waterjet or Abrasive Waterjet can cut costs and time for you. Please contact us today to discuss the details and get a prompt quote.