Frequently Asked Questions

Material Compatibility & Thickness Guide

Hydro Dynamics LLC | Precision Waterjet Services

One of the greatest advantages of our OMAX 2652 JetMachining® Center is its versatility. Because it is a “cold cutting” process, we can cut materials that lasers or plasmas would melt, crack, or warp.

Below is a guide to the materials we commonly process and our recommended thickness ranges.

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1. Metals (Ferrous & Non-Ferrous)

The Tilt-A-Jet® is most effective here, ensuring that even thick plates have perfectly square edges.

Material	Common Applications	Thickness Range
Aluminum	Aerospace parts, brackets, signage	0.010″ – 8.0″
Stainless Steel	Food grade equip, marine hardware	0.010″ – 8.0″
Carbon/Mild Steel	Industrial base plates, structural	0.010″ – 8.0″
Titanium	Medical implants, high-performance racing	0.010″ – 8.0″
Copper & Brass	Electrical busbars, decorative accents	0.010″ – 8.0″

The Hydro Dynamics Advantage: Unlike laser cutting, we leave no Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ). This means the metal’s temper is preserved, and there is no slag or “dross” to grind off.

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2. Composites & Plastics

Waterjet is the preferred method for composites because it doesn’t produce toxic fumes or cause delamination like high-heat methods.

• Carbon Fiber: Precision cutting without splintering or fraying.
• G10 / Garolite: Excellent for electrical insulators and knife handles.
• Acrylic (Plexiglass): Clean, frosted edges; great for thick displays (up to 2″).
• Polycarbonate (Lexan): Extremely durable cutting for guards and shields.
• UHMW & HDPE: Ideal for wear strips and food-processing components.

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3. Stone, Glass & Ceramics

Our submerged cutting capability allows us to process fragile materials with minimal risk of cracking.

• Granite & Marble: Custom floor inlays, countertops, and memorials (up to 3cm+).
• Glass & Mirror: Intricate shapes for architectural glass and backsplash.
  • Note: We cannot cut Tempered Glass, as it is designed to shatter upon impact.
• Ceramic Tile: Custom patterns and porcelain slab cutting for high-end interiors.

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4. Soft Goods (Pure Waterjet)

For these materials, we remove the abrasive and use a “water-only” stream for lightning-fast production.

• Rubber: Custom gaskets, seals, and vibration dampeners.
• Foam: Custom tool chest inserts and protective packaging.
• Felt & Leather: Industrial washers and high-end fashion/upholstery accents.

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The “Tilt-A-Jet” Difference

Why thickness doesn’t scare us: On standard waterjets, the deeper the cut, the more the “tail” of the jet lags behind, creating a tapered edge (wider at the bottom than the top).

At Hydro Dynamics LLC, our Tilt-A-Jet® head calculates the exact angle of the taper and tilts the nozzle to compensate. This allows us to maintain a $\pm 0.003″$ to $\pm 0.005″$ tolerance on the part itself, even on materials 2 inches thick or more.

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Ready to start your project?

Hydro Dynamics LLC

[920-716-5161] | [Hydrodynamicfab@gmail.com]

Ask us about our “Nesting Optimization” to see how we can save you money on material costs!

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Hydro Dynamics LLC: High-Precision Waterjet Services

Precision Engineering. Zero Heat. Zero Taper.

At Hydro Dynamics LLC, we specialize in high-tolerance abrasive waterjet machining. Utilizing our industry-leading OMAX 2652 JetMachining® Center equipped with Tilt-A-Jet® technology, we deliver components with unmatched edge quality and accuracy.

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1. Our Specialized Services

Precision Taper-Free Cutting (Tilt-A-Jet®)

Standard waterjets naturally produce a slight V-shaped taper. Our Tilt-A-Jet technology automatically compensates for this in real-time.

• Square Edges: Achieve perfectly vertical edges even on thick materials.
• Interlocking Parts: Ideal for dovetail fittings, press-fit assemblies, and high-precision mechanical components.
• Reduced Secondary Costs: Eliminate the need for expensive secondary milling or grinding to “square up” edges.

Multi-Material Fabrication

Our cold-cutting process ensures Zero Heat-Affected Zones (HAZ), preserving the structural integrity and temper of your material.

• Metals: Stainless Steel, Titanium, Aluminum (up to 6061/7075), Copper, and Tool Steels.
• Hard Surfaces: Granite, Marble, Ceramics, and Thick Glass.
• Soft Materials: Rubber gaskets, Foam, and Plastics.

Submerged “Clean-Cut” Machining

Our machine features Rapid Water Level Control, allowing us to cut materials while fully submerged.

• Reduced Noise: Maintains a quiet shop environment (below 80 dBA).
• Dust & Spray Suppression: Keeps materials like carbon fiber and glass clean and free of surface frosting.

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2. Technical Machine Specifications

Feature	Hydro Dynamics LLC Capability (OMAX 2652)
X-Y Cutting Travel	$52″ \times 26″$ ($1,321 \text{ mm} \times 660 \text{ mm}$)
Table Size	$69″ \times 30″$ ($1,753 \text{ mm} \times 762 \text{ mm}$)
Z-Axis Travel	$8″$ ($203 \text{ mm}$)
Linear Positional Accuracy	$\pm 0.001″$ ($\pm 0.025 \text{ mm}$)
Repeatability	$\pm 0.001″$ ($\pm 0.025 \text{ mm}$)
Taper Compensation	Tilt-A-Jet® (Automated $\pm 9^{\circ}$ Tilt)
Software Support	Intelli-MAX® Premium (Accepts DXF, DWG, SVG)

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3. Why Work With Hydro Dynamics LLC?

• Precision Tooling: We don’t just “rough cut.” Our OMAX system is designed for the high-precision needs of the aerospace, medical, and defense industries.
• Efficiency: The OMAX 2652’s cantilever design allows for easy three-sided access, making the loading of heavy or oversized material faster and safer.
• Green Technology: Our process uses only natural garnet and water. No toxic fumes or hazardous waste oils.

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Request a Quote from Hydro Dynamics LLC

To provide the most accurate pricing, please include the following in your inquiry:

1. Vector File: (.DXF, .DWG, or .AI preferred).
2. Material Specs: Type and exact thickness.
3. Critical Tolerances: Note any dimensions requiring $\pm 0.001″$ precision.
4. Quantity: From single prototypes to high-volume production runs.