ImpactFab, Inc. is the oldest water jet cutting facility in West Michigan. Thanks to our extensive experience, we have the knowledge and skill to ensure every project is cut precisely to order, on-time and as quoted.
Our special knowledge of the water jet cutting process has equipped us to cut even the most complex parts, allowing us to build special fixtures when necessary. Importantly, the water jet cutting services we provide are cost-effective, whether they’re being used for single part prototyping (link to engineering) or large production runs. Having multiple cutting tables gives us the flexibility to better accommodate your schedule as swiftly as possible.
Continue reading to learn about how this versatile, cost-effective cutting process could benefit your next project, or contact us with your specific questions.
How does water jet cutting work?
Water jet cutting is a modern fabrication method which uses one of nature’s most powerful cutting forces: water. A focused stream of high pressure water is precisely aimed to cut or grind away the material in its CNC controlled path. To cut harder or thicker materials, we add an abrasive to help facilitate the cutting process. With water jet cutting, you get Grand Canyon results, but without the wait!
Advantages of Water Jet Cutting
Ability to cut a wide range of materials. Unlike traditional cutting methods that rely on friction, or laser cutting, which relies on heat, water jet cutting is gentle enough to create precision shapes even in the most delicate materials. Acrylic, glass, stone, wood, foam, ceramic tile, cast iron – water jet cutting cuts cleanly through all these materials and more, without the risk of chipping, shattering or warping.
Ability to cut extremely thick materials. Our water jet cutting machines have cut slabs of up to 14 inch thick titanium and 19 inch thick cobalt. When it comes to slicing through thick materials, water jet cutting is the solution.
No heat affected zone or warping. Because no heat is used in water jet cutting, metals being cut will not have their metallurgical composition altered, which eliminates the risk of warping, bending or heat treating during cutting. Water jet cut metals leave the table ready to be machined or welded.
Finished edge quality. By adjusting our cutting speed, the water jet produces varying finished edge qualities. This lets you decide how much secondary machining will be required. Higher water jet streams allow edges to be cut completely smooth and burr free, eliminating the need for secondary machining.
Save on material waste. parts can be nested closely together for maximum material yield. With only a 0.40″ cut path, closely spaced water jet cuts leave less material waste – and a lower costs for you.
Rapid prototyping. New parts can be cut swiftly, reducing lead times.
Low hourly rates. Water jet cutting is very cost-effective.
Abrasive Water Jet Cutting
Ideal for harder materials. A wide variety of materials and superior edge quality are what set abrasive water jet cutting above the rest. We also have the ability to cut with two heads simultaneously, giving you twice the number parts within the same run cycle time. Aluminum, copper, brass, tool steel, stainless steel, and titanium are no problem for our abrasive water jet cutting systems.
Pure Water Jet Cutting
Ideal for softer, more delicate materials. Highly accurate (+/- .005 tolerances) and with only a .007″ cut path width, pure water jet cutting has what it takes to affordably cut your paper, Formica, foam, felt, laminate, or gasket material. Cuts tight angles, sharp corners, and intricate shapes. If you can draw it in 2D, we can cut it.
Capabilities & Materials
Acrylic, Alloys, Aluminum, Armor Plate, Bronze, Brass, Bullet-proof Glass, Carbon Fiber, Carpet, Cast Iron, Ceramic, Cobalt, Composites, Copper, Felt, Fiberglass, Foam, Formica, Gaskets, Glass, Granite, Graphite, Hardened Steel, Inconel, Kevlar, Laminates, Leather, Linoleum, Magnesium, Marble, Neoprene, Nickel, Nylon, Plastics, Plexiglas, Polycarbonate, Rubber & Silicone, Stainless Steel, Steel, Stone, Titanium, Tool Steel, Wood, and the list goes on.
We currently operate a 6′ x 13′ table and a 6′ x 12′ table. We can hold tight tolerances across the entire table.
precision laser cutting | CNC machining | CAD design, engineering and prototyping | custom fabrication
