Cut MDF or particleboard w/ water jet?

[Steve054]

I have a job that requires several thousand MDF or particleboard curved strips that are 3/4" X 1" X 72" and laminated with HPL (Formica). They need to be nested and cut from full sheets. I can't do this with my CNC router. Can this be done with a water jet machine?

[ger21]

Cut them most of the way through with the router, and release them with a laminate trimmer and bearing bit. Not sure about water jet, but water is bad for MDF and PB.

[Steve054]

Gerry,

I have considered the "onion skin" approach. But with several thousand pieces to make, I was trying to avoid hand work.

Thanks.

[CNC Pro]

I’ve seen waterjet demonstrations that have cut phonebooks in half. While I couldn’t get one of the phone books in my hand after the demo, it didn’t appear to absorb very much water (probably due to the high pressure/feed rate).
What if you cut all the way through on the length (or even tab them at minimal intervals), and onion skin them at the ends?
Or out-source them to me!

[Steve054]

My understanding of water jet cutting is limited, but what I've read indicates that the part shouldn't be wet after it's cut. Therefore, it seems that a water jet should be able to cut it without that being a problem.

I have not yet eliminated tabs, but I'm exploring other options.

Thanks.

[keithmech]

I worked on a water jet experiment that was set up to cut paper.No the edge did not absorb water.At the time (1977) the technology for a fine kerf did not exist and the project dropped.How about a cnc bandsaw?

[bigdog]

Yes you can cut this with a water jet. The material needs to be cut without being submerged. I could quote this for you if you would e-mail me a sketch or drawing and if you or I will be supplying the material. Please e-mail me at robinson@wardengineering.com

[dragoneye]

Be careful with waterjet cutting large amount of items as it is not constant when cutting thousands of items ie the jewel size enlarges letting more water through seals leak having less psi the watertank splashes up onto material and as you know you only have to put a bucket of water next to mdf to deform it.
Lead in has to be achieved this is where the water jet cuts a hole before it blends into the linecut,
I sold my company in the UK and Retired to OZ four years ago MAYBE things have change sinced then But I only cut without abrasives to keep jobs as clean as possible as i cut all coloured gasket materials and before bagging most types were hanging out to dry.

Bigdog I would be interested to know weather you would cut this with pure water or abrasives. i also found that a 1" sheet of sponge rubber reduce the tank splashback, can you change the distance from jet to tank to solve this.
I am not trying to put any one off using waterjet cutting i just feel this is not the best way unless there have been changes or you have a way of acheiving a dry cut with water again and again as i know i never could.

Your also probally find that it is to expensive per part

Just my thoughts

Good luck

[CNC Pro]

I’m curious, if the panel has Formica on both faces, the top face of Formica and underlying MDF should be no problem, but does the waterjet “erode” or undercut the MDF were it meets more resistance, such as at the glue-joint face of the bottom piece of Formica? If so, does this cause delaminating or uneven edge cut?

[CWBAILEY]

We cut lots of small components in MDF and use a laser cutter. with CO2 sheild gas. It does a top job with repeatable accuracy. This is the tool for the job.

[dcencer]

We cut 3/4" plywood sheets with no problems on our water jet cutters. We hold them above the tank (which makes lots of noise), and reduce the abrasive (if not eliminate it). I can't guarantee the edges won't be wetted slightly, though. I suspect it would work fine, as our plywood was fine.

That's why I like the laser cutter approach, but I 've seen burnt edges from laser cut plywood. I'd say pay a visit to a water jet vendor with a piece of MDF in tow and do some test runs. The water jet cutting path widens as the cut deepens, and just how much varies quite a bit with material density, abrasive quantity, etc.

Dan