R&D Brief Vol 5. Num. 19 December 8, 2008   Composites Lab adds waterjet cutter   The Composites & Advanced Materials Lab at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University has extended its machining capabilities with the addition of a 4’ by 4’ WaterjetPRO cutting table.   The abrasive waterjet cutting system includes a 30-horsepower pump that pressurizes water up to 60,000 pounds per square inch, with UltraPierce™ Vacuum Assist technology for cutting brittle and laminated materials like composites, and a state-of-the-art CNC controller that allows a virtually unlimited choice of CAD/CAM or nesting programs.   “The waterjet cutting system will be primarily used for coupon preparation in most of our material qualification programs, as we transition away from a labor-intensive process to a more efficient way of cutting test coupons out of composite test panels,” said Kim-Leng Poon, manager of the Composites Lab Machine Shop.   “It will also be used to facilitate some of our in-house test fixture fabrication and modification. This is a great add-on to our lab in terms of machining capabilities.”      Among the world's most rapidly growing and versatile machining technologies, waterjet cutting systems can cut virtually any shape into a wide range of materials, even stacked up to 8 inches thick, with edge quality that usually requires no secondary finishing. The cutting is accomplished by software-controlled, robotic motion systems, eliminating the need for time-consuming tool changes.   Abrasive waterjets cut materials with erosion, rather than shearing or heat, so they make the most of expensive raw materials by not inducing heat-affected zones or mechanical stresses. No noxious gases or liquids are used in waterjet cutting, and waterjets do not create hazardous materials or vapors.   Click here to see a demo video of the abrasive waterjet cutting process. To learn more about the capabilities NIAR's Composites & Advanced Materials Lab, visit the website or contact Tom Aldag (316) 978-5326. The National Institute for Aviation Research is a prestigious state-of-the-art aerospace research and development laboratory with global reach and expertise in research, design, testing, and certification. The Institute’s clientele includes many of the world’s aerospace manufacturers, NASA and the FAA. It is the largest aviation R&D academic institution in America.  The National Institute for Aviation Research is an unincorporated division of Wichita State University.