Waterjet cutting carbon fiber - RC-Monster Forums

pb4ugo · **Waterjet cutting carbon fiber -** 12.31.2008, 02:21 PM

Thought I'd share my experience here. I'd always heard it was the preferred method, but also heard an occasional argument saying it would fray the edges.

I took a small scrap piece to my local shop and had them cut a trial circle out. The shop was doing me a favor and putting me on between jobs of cutting 1/4" (6.35mm) steel, so they did not change the setup at all for my 2.5mm material. The results would be better if they had.

The only downside I could find with it is a slight clouding in the finish around the edges. This was caused by overspray of the abrasive. It would be lessened had they setup for my thickness. Otherwise a layer of plastic wrap or even masking tape on the material first would prevent it.

Here are the pics. Only the two circles were a result of the waterjet. The rough edge cuts are mine from a Dremel.

pb4ugo · 12.31.2008, 02:45 PM

As an afterthought here, I'm sure the layup of the carbon has alot to do with your results. If you had a somewhat dry section, I could see a waterjet cut causing it to fray for sure. This piece was fully consolidated with epoxy.

What's_nitro? · 12.31.2008, 02:56 PM

IMHO, waterjet pwns all.

_paralyzed_ · 12.31.2008, 08:49 PM

damn it. I really hoped the silent p wouldn't invade this forum. I don't understand it at all and things outside my comfort zone scare me. pI pguess pif pI pcan't pbeat pthem pI pmay pas pwell pjoin pthem.

What's_nitro? · 12.31.2008, 10:08 PM

Except that it's meant as an intentional typo, not just an extra letter! (...was he joking?)

_paralyzed_ · 12.31.2008, 10:13 PM

i know. why can't people just say "own" or "owned" It really makes me pmad

What's_nitro? · 12.31.2008, 10:17 PM

Hahaha, it's because saying "pwned" makes you sound like such a 1337 h4xx0r. N00b.

_paralyzed_ · 12.31.2008, 10:25 PM

"i sometimes make up words too" -homer simpson

01.02.2009, 06:43 AM

Are those little notches for the cut-in characteristic for waterjet cuts? Just curious, I have no experience whatsoever with it. I've only seen it on American Chopper

.dk

pb4ugo · 01.02.2009, 01:06 PM

If you're talking about the start in the center of the circle to work out to it, no it is not necessary. It is a more cautious way to do it since we were testing. If you are talking the little nipple left at the start/beginning of the circle, then it is not normal, just the result of o poor program and setup.