Using both a waterjet and a saw blade is beneficial for several reasons:

Material Usage - When a saw blade cuts through a piece of stone it must pass through the final cut path to cut the entire thickness due to its circular shape. Utilizing the waterjet for this function allows you to stop the blade early in the cut path and then finish out with the waterjet. This will give you the option to nest another piece directly at the end of a cut path without having to cut into it. This will give you more layout possibilities, allow you to cut inside corners and give you a greater yield from your material.

Radius - A saw blade can not cut on a curve, only straight lines. A waterjet gives you the option to cut radius corners. Being able to cut radius corners is an important factor in cutting sink holes, inside radius corners, outside corners or any unique shape. Being able to do all of these on your machinery eliminates the need to do them by hand, saving time and eliminating errors.

Speed - A saw blade will always cut faster than a waterjet. If you were to do all of your cutting on a waterjet your fabrication time would be very high. If you were to do all of your cutting using a saw blade you will not be able to cut sink holes, radius corners, etc. By combining the two you will cut at the speed of a saw blade and still have the functions that a waterjet brings with it.

Last updated on January 20, 2010 by Morgan Gansauer