SteveW
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,397
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Post by SteveW on Jan 4, 2006 23:32:38 GMT
Guys, After seeing the brass skeleton Spitfire kit ( www.bigwing.biz ) at the Sandown MEX it occurred to find out more about water jet cutting that made it possible. If you have broadband (for the videos) try: www.flowcorp.com and follow the links. It covers both water and water+abrasive cutting. It's all very flash and has answered a number of my own "how the hell did they make that with that material?" questions. I have yet to get my head around 60,000 psi of water pressure. |
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Post by GeorgeRay on Jan 5, 2006 13:53:47 GMT
Try 100000psi, which was the pressure reached in the retardation cylinders of the Steam Catapult. At that pressure water is compressible.
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Post by 3405jimmy on Jan 6, 2006 8:18:44 GMT
I got my frames cut by water jet as they were too thick for laser cutting. The alternative then was flame cutting or water. I chose water the only problem was they were about 10 times more expensive than flame cutting.
jim
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SteveW
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,397
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Post by SteveW on Jan 7, 2006 14:59:05 GMT
3405,
If you get into the detail on the 'Flow..' web site you'll get an idea of why/how the price premium.
Apparently there is vary little hold-down pressure needed for the job and absolutely no heating. This means the product doesn't suffer in any way. The only bit that does is the material being removed.
It also appears to require a great deal of space-age type technology so I assume owners of such kit need to get a return on their investment.
Of course, there is always the LBSC method plus you get to hum along with the music while emulating a water jet cutter using the mark 1 hacksaw ;D
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Post by 3405jimmy on Jan 7, 2006 18:08:42 GMT
Sadly Steve I am more than aware that unfortunately in a hobby, one or two’s off are going to cause you pain in the back pocket, whatever technology you use. See my recent paper “Thermojet printing and how the lost wax foundry melted my money away”!  As too hacksaws well the frames are 69” long and before the lumsden grinder got to them were 25mm thick plate so whatever they cost was worth it. BTW I love technology it hides my lack of skill in bench fitting and machining ;D Jim |
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SteveW
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,397
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Post by SteveW on Jan 7, 2006 19:51:03 GMT
Jim,
Point taken.
Looks like you're building a monster. I take it that everything else is prorata.... Wow! Respect.
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Post by steamjohn248 on Jan 8, 2006 0:47:42 GMT
Re waterjet we've got some being done in 25mm plate 96" long, that was the easy bit, trouble was it took us a long time to find anyone who could plough grind them both sides, down to thickness. 3/4". still beats a hacksaw! and no machining to clean them up as would be the case with a gas axe.
John
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Post by 3405jimmy on Jan 8, 2006 11:50:42 GMT
Yes John over 48” and you seem to be in trouble, and the 48” machines aren’t that common. I got mine done by these guys who were incredibly helpful and literally did the frames while I waited. www.pegpro.co.uk/Jim |
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Post by steamjohn248 on Jan 8, 2006 21:28:37 GMT
Jim
SNAP!
John
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