Water Jet cutting.. $$$$$$???

[javila]

Go to a cnc guy.

Waterjet is expensive because it's made for stuff that cnc can't do.

It's like using a wide format printer to cut white vinyl lettering.

 

[CES020]

You want laser, not CNC. Laser will give you a clean, clear edge. CNC will give you a milky edge.

Cutting thin acrylic is a laser job, it's made to do it.

 

[andy]

I contacted my local waterjet cutting place. Have a 4x8 sheet of lexan that i want to cut about 125 little ornaments for Christmas. It is just the outline of them because i will be putting decals on them later
Gave them the file and would bring the lexan..

they want
.125" $516.64
.25" $638.84

Just to cut it..

Is that the going rate?

Do i have a plan B?

These prices are very high.... your local water jet shop has either not cut polycarbonate before and is pricing based on a known material (probably metal) or they are trying to gouge you.

Polycarb isn't a difficult material to jet and there are no special techniques or garnet requirements so the high price you have been quoted merely reflects the profit margin of your supplier or their lack of experience- a lot of jet shops only cut metal for industrial jobs and know very little about sign and display work.

We have routing, laser and jetting machines in our workshop.... looking at your job I would recommend using Polyprop instead of polycarb and laser cutting your parts.

Acrylic is fine for laser cutting but your parts will be very easy to chip or snap. Polycarb is out for laser cutting and would take much longer to router cut.

Polyprop gives you most of the benefits of Polycarb with the laser cutting characteristics of acrylic.... same power, same feed rates.

If you shop around for polyprop you should be able to pick up and 8x4 sheet for less than acrylic or polycarb.

 

[skdave]

Laser will give you a finished polished edge. Routers and water jet will not.
If you use a laser be carefull with the protective cover . Ask the laser compamy what to do to make sure it does not burn if paper is used and melt if plastic is used.
I owned a 3000 watt laser so trust me and ask questions.