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Water Only

A type of Quality used for WaterJet machining

Water Only is a type of Quality. OMAX does not use any abrasive for entities with a Quality of Water Only. Water Only is used for machining soft material that can be pierced using only a high-pressure water jet (for example, sponge or foam).

NOTE:

For Water Only mode on a GlobalMAX, either remove the abrasive feed tube from the nozzle, or use a Water-Only nozzle.

Unlike Scribe, with Water Only, the tool path is offset to allow for the width of the cut made by the waterjet. Scribe does not offset the tool path, but always goes down the center.

NOTE:

When you use Water Only for a part, you must still provide a lead-in and lead-out. This allows the too path to move from the starting position to the offset position during the lead section. When the lead-in is connected to a Water Only Quality, no abrasive will be used for the lead-in.

For best results when Water Only cutting, use a Water Only nozzle, which will increase the quality of the cut compared to a standard abrasive nozzle. When using the quality of Water Only, the abrasive nozzle can still be used, but the cut will be inferior to that of a Water Only nozzle. This because: a) the orifice is a greater distance from the material to cut; and b) air is introduced into the nozzle from the abrasive jet feed line which disturbs the jet. If an abrasive nozzle is used for Water Only cutting, plug the abrasive tube to prevent air from entering the nozzle.

If you right-click on the Water Only button, you can choose to make a Slit with Water Only Quality. This is exactly the same Quality as Water Only, except that it is not offset from the tool path to compensate for the kerf.

Advantages of Water Only machining

There are several advantages to using the GlobalMAX as a water jet (without abrasives), if the material to be cut is soft enough:

The abrasive jet nozzle will last longer, as there is less wear on the nozzle and mixing tube.
Because no abrasive is used, the operating costs are lower. Because no abrasive is used, no spent abrasive will accumulate in the OMAX tank.
The mixing tube cannot get plugged or clogged with abrasive.

NOTE:

If you plan to regularly do Water Only machining, you should use a Water Only nozzle, available from OMAX. This nozzle will cut faster and cleaner than an abrasivejet nozzle used

in Water Only mode. The orifice in the Water Only nozzle is located right over the cutting surface, and no extra air is introduced into the water stream.

Water Only vs. Etch

Water Only uses only water.
Etch uses abrasive as well as water.

Water Only vs. Scribe

Both Scribe and Water Only use only water, with no abrasive.
With Scribe, the abrasive jet nozzle is centered on the tool path.
With Water Only Quality, the tool path is offset, so that the dimensions of the finished piece exactly match the drawing. Water Only is intended to be used for making parts from soft materials, such as foam and sponge. Note, though, that making a Slit with Water Only Quality is the same as Scribe, except that the cutting speed can be set independently.