What is the best way to cut titanium sheet?

Industrial tool

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Not to be confused with pressure washer

A diagram of a water jet cutter

1. high-pressure water inlet
2. jewel (ruby or diamond)
3. abrasive (garnet)
4. mixing tube
5. guard
6. cutting water jet
7. cut material

A water jet cutter, also known as a water jet or waterjet, is an industrial tool capable of cutting a wide variety of materials using an extremely high-pressure jet of water, or a mixture of water and an abrasive substance. The term abrasive jet refers specifically to the use of a mixture of water and an abrasive to cut hard materials such as metal, stone or glass, while the terms pure waterjet and water-only cutting refer to waterjet cutting without the use of added abrasives, often used for softer materials such as wood or rubber.[1]

Waterjet cutting is often used during the fabrication of machine parts. It is the preferred method when the materials being cut are sensitive to the high temperatures generated by other methods; examples of such materials include plastic and aluminium. Waterjet cutting is used in various industries, including mining and aerospace, for cutting, shaping, and reaming.[2]

History

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Waterjet CNC cutting machine

Waterjet

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While using high-pressure water for erosion dates back as far as the mid-s with hydraulic mining, it was not until the s that narrow jets of water started to appear as an industrial cutting device. In , the Paper Patents Company in Wisconsin developed a paper metering, cutting, and reeling machine that used a diagonally moving waterjet nozzle to cut a horizontally moving sheet of continuous paper.[3] These early applications were at low pressure and restricted to soft materials like paper.

Waterjet technology evolved in the post-war era as researchers around the world searched for new methods of efficient cutting systems. In , Carl Johnson of Durox International in Luxembourg developed a method for cutting plastic shapes using a thin stream high-pressure water jet, but those materials, like paper, were soft materials.[4] In , Billie Schwacha of North American Aviation developed a system using ultra-high-pressure liquid to cut hard materials.[5] This system used a 100,000 psi (690 MPa) pump to deliver a hypersonic liquid jet that could cut high-strength alloys such as PH15-7-MO stainless steel. Used to cut honeycomb laminate for the Mach 3 North American XB-70 Valkyrie, this cutting method resulted in delaminating at high speed, requiring changes to the manufacturing process.[6]

While not effective for the XB-70 project, the concept was valid and further research continued to evolve waterjet cutting. In , Philip Rice of Union Carbide explored using a pulsing waterjet at up to 50,000 psi (340 MPa) to cut metals, stone, and other materials.[7] Research by S.J. Leach and G.L. Walker in the mid-s expanded on traditional coal waterjet cutting to determine the ideal nozzle shape for high-pressure waterjet cutting of stone,[8] and Norman Franz in the late s focused on waterjet cutting of soft materials by dissolving long-chain polymers in the water to improve the cohesiveness of the jet stream.[9] In the early s, the desire to improve the durability of the waterjet nozzle led Ray Chadwick, Michael Kurko, and Joseph Corriveau of the Bendix Corporation to come up with the idea of using corundum crystal to form a waterjet orifice,[10] while Norman Franz expanded on this and created a waterjet nozzle with an orifice as small as 0.002 inches (0.051 mm) that operated at pressures up to 70,000 psi (480 MPa).[11] John Olsen, along with George Hurlburt and Louis Kapcsandy at Flow Research (later Flow Industries), further improved the commercial potential of the water jet by showing that treating the water beforehand could increase the operational life of the nozzle.[12]

High pressure

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High-pressure vessels and pumps became affordable and reliable with the advent of steam power. By the mid-s, steam locomotives were common and the first efficient steam-driven fire engine was operational.[13] By the turn of the century, high-pressure reliability improved, with locomotive research leading to a sixfold increase in boiler pressure, some reaching 1,600 psi (11 MPa). Most high-pressure pumps at this time, though, operated around 500&#;800 psi (3.4&#;5.5 MPa).

High-pressure systems were further shaped by the aviation, automotive, and oil industries. Aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing developed seals for hydraulically boosted control systems in the s,[14] while automotive designers followed similar research for hydraulic suspension systems.[15] Higher pressures in hydraulic systems in the oil industry also led to the development of advanced seals and packing to prevent leaks.[16]

These advances in seal technology, plus the rise of plastics in the post-war years, led to the development of the first reliable high-pressure pump. The invention of Marlex by Robert Banks and John Paul Hogan of the Phillips Petroleum Company required a catalyst to be injected into the polyethylene.[17] McCartney Manufacturing Company in Baxter Springs, Kansas, began manufacturing these high-pressure pumps in for the polyethylene industry.[18] Flow Industries in Kent, Washington set the groundwork for commercial viability of waterjets with John Olsen&#;s development of the high-pressure fluid intensifier in ,[19] a design that was further refined in .[20] Flow Industries then combined the high-pressure pump research with their waterjet nozzle research and brought waterjet cutting into the manufacturing world.[citation needed]

Abrasive waterjet

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The Evolution of the Abrasive Waterjet Nozzle

While cutting with water is possible for soft materials, adding an abrasive turned the water jet into a modern machining tool for all materials. This began in when the idea of adding an abrasive to the water stream was developed by Elmo Smith for liquid abrasive blasting.[21] Smith&#;s design was further refined by Leslie Tirrell of the Hydroblast Corporation in , resulting in a nozzle design that created a mix of high-pressure water and abrasive for the purpose of wet blasting.[22]

The first publications on modern abrasive waterjet (AWJ) cutting were published by Mohamed Hashish in the BHR proceedings showing, for the first time, that waterjets with relatively small amounts of abrasives are capable of cutting hard materials such as steel and concrete. The March issue of the Mechanical Engineering magazine showed more details and materials cut with AWJ such as titanium, aluminium, glass, and stone. Mohamed Hashish was awarded a patent on forming AWJ in .[23] Hashish, who also coined the new term abrasive waterjet, and his team continued to develop and improve the AWJ technology and its hardware for many applications. A critical development was creating a durable mixing tube that could withstand the power of the high-pressure AWJ, and it was Boride Products (now Kennametal) development of their ROCTEC line of ceramic tungsten carbide composite tubes that significantly increased the operational life of the AWJ nozzle.[24] Current work on AWJ nozzles is on micro abrasive waterjets so that cutting with jets smaller than 0.015 inches (0.38 mm) in diameter can be commercialized.

Working with Ingersoll-Rand Waterjet Systems, Michael Dixon implemented the first production practical means of cutting titanium sheets&#;an abrasive waterjet system very similar to those in widespread use today.[23] By January , that system was being run 24 hours a day producing titanium parts for the B-1B largely at Rockwell's North American Aviation facility in Newark, Ohio.

Today, there are two different types of Abrasive Waterjets:

Abrasive Water Suspension Jet (AWSJ) cutting

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The Abrasive Water Suspension Jet (AWSJ) - often called &#;Slurry Jet&#; or &#;Water Abrasive Suspension (WAS) jet&#; - is a specific type of abrasive water jet, which is used for waterjet cutting. In contrast to the abrasive water injector jet (AWIJ), the abrasive water suspension jet (AWSJ)[25] is characterised by the fact that the mixing of abrasive and water takes place before the nozzle. This has the effect that, in contrast to AWIJ, the jet consists of only two components: the water and the abrasive.

Since there are only 2 components (water and abrasive) in the AWSJ, the acceleration of the abrasive grains by the water takes place with a significantly increased efficiency compared to the AWIJ.[26] The abrasive grains become faster with the WASS than with the WAIS for the same hydraulic power of the system. Therefore, comparatively deeper or faster cuts can be made with the AWSJ.

AWSJ cutting, in contrast to the AWIJ cutting process described below, can also be used for mobile cutting applications and cutting underwater, in addition to machining demanding materials.[27][28][25] Examples include bomb disposal,[29] as well as the dismantling of offshore installations[30] or the dismantling of reactor pressure vessel installations in nuclear power plants.[31]

Abrasive Water Injector Jet (AWIJ) cutting

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The AWIJ[32] is generated by a water jet that passes through a mixing chamber (a cavity) after exiting the water nozzle and enters a focusing tube at the exit of the mixing chamber. The interaction of the water jet in the mixing chamber with the air inside creates negative pressure, the water jet entrains air particles. This negative pressure is used for the pneumatic transport of the abrasive into the chamber (the abrasive is led to a lateral opening (bore) of the mixing chamber by means of a hose).

After contact with the abrasive material in the mixing chamber with the water jet, the individual abrasive grains are accelerated and entrained in the direction of the focusing tube. The air used as a carrier medium for transporting the abrasive into the mixing chamber also becomes part of the AWIJ, which now consists of three components (water - abrasive - air). In the focusing tube, which is (should be) optimised in its length for this purpose, the abrasive is further accelerated (energy transfer from the water to the abrasive grain) and the AWIJ ideally leaves the focusing tube at the maximum possible abrasive grain speed.

Waterjet control

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As waterjet cutting moved into traditional manufacturing shops, controlling the cutter reliably and accurately was essential. Early waterjet cutting systems adapted traditional systems such as mechanical pantographs and CNC systems based on John Parsons&#; NC milling machine and running G-code.[33] Challenges inherent to waterjet technology revealed the inadequacies of traditional G-Code. The accuracy depends on varying the speed of the nozzle as it approaches corners and details.[34] Creating motion control systems to incorporate those variables became a major innovation for leading waterjet manufacturers in the early s, with John Olsen of OMAX Corporation developing systems to precisely position the waterjet nozzle[35] while accurately specifying the speed at every point along the path,[36] and also utilizing common PCs as a controller. The largest waterjet manufacturer, Flow International (a spinoff of Flow Industries), recognized the benefits of that system and licensed the OMAX software, with the result that the vast majority of waterjet cutting machines worldwide are simple to use, fast, and accurate.[37]

Large water jet abrasive cutting machine

Operation

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All waterjets follow the same principle of using high-pressure water focused into a beam by a nozzle. Most machines accomplish this by first running the water through a high-pressure pump. There are two types of pumps used to create this high pressure; an intensifier pump and a direct drive or crankshaft pump. A direct drive pump works much like a car engine, forcing water through high-pressure tubing using plungers attached to a crankshaft. An intensifier pump creates pressure by using hydraulic oil to move a piston forcing the water through a tiny hole.[38][39] The water then travels along the high-pressure tubing to the nozzle of the waterjet. In the nozzle, the water is focused into a thin beam by a jewel orifice. This beam of water is ejected from the nozzle, cutting through the material by spraying it with the jet of speed on the order of Mach 3, around 2,500 ft/s (760 m/s).[40] The process is the same for abrasive waterjets until the water reaches the nozzle. Here abrasives such as garnet and aluminium oxide, are fed into the nozzle via an abrasive inlet. The abrasive then mixes with the water in a mixing tube and is forced out the end at high pressure.[41][42]

Benefits

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An important benefit of the water jet is the ability to cut material without interfering with its inherent structure, as there is no heat-affected zone (HAZ). Minimizing the effects of heat allows metals to be cut without warping, affecting tempers, or changing intrinsic properties.[43] Sharp corners, bevels, pierce holes, and shapes with minimal inner radii are all possible.[44]

Water jet cutters are also capable of producing intricate cuts in material. With specialized software and 3-D machining heads, complex shapes can be produced.[45]

The kerf, or width, of the cut can be adjusted by swapping parts in the nozzle, as well as changing the type and size of the abrasive. Typical abrasive cuts have a kerf in the range of 0.04 to 0.05 in (1.0&#;1.3 mm), but can be as narrow as 0.02 inches (0.51 mm). Non-abrasive cuts are normally 0.007 to 0.013 in (0.18&#;0.33 mm), but can be as small as 0.003 inches (0.076 mm), which is approximately that of a human hair. These small jets can permit small details in a wide range of applications.

Water jets are capable of attaining accuracy down to 0.005 inches (0.13 mm) and repeatability down to 0.001 inches (0.025 mm).[45]

Due to its relatively narrow kerf, water jet cutting can reduce the amount of scrap material produced, by allowing uncut parts to be nested more closely together than traditional cutting methods. Water jets use approximately 0.5 to 1 US gal (1.9&#;3.8 L) per minute (depending on the cutting head's orifice size), and the water can be recycled using a closed-loop system. Waste water usually is clean enough to filter and dispose of down a drain. The garnet abrasive is a non-toxic material that can be mostly recycled for repeated use; otherwise, it can usually be disposed of in a landfill. Water jets also produce fewer airborne dust particles, smoke, fumes, and contaminants,[45] reducing operator exposure to hazardous materials.[46]

Meatcutting using waterjet technology eliminates the risk of cross contamination since the contact medium is discarded.[citation needed]

Versatility

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A water jet cutting a metal tool

Because the nature of the cutting stream can be easily modified the water jet can be used in nearly every industry; there are many different materials that the water jet can cut. Some of them have unique characteristics that require special attention when cutting.

Materials commonly cut with a water jet include textiles, rubber, foam, plastics, leather, composites, stone, tile, glass, metals, food, paper and much more.[47] "Most ceramics can also be cut on an abrasive water jet as long as the material is softer than the abrasive being used (between 7.5 and 8.5 on the Mohs scale)".[48] Examples of materials that cannot be cut with a water jet are tempered glass and diamonds.[46] Water jets are capable of cutting up to 6 in (150 mm) of metals and 18 in (460 mm) of most materials,[49] though in specialized coal mining applications,[50] water jets are capable of cutting up to 100 ft (30 m) using a 1 in (25 mm) nozzle.[51]

Specially designed water jet cutters are commonly used to remove excess bitumen from road surfaces that have become the subject of binder flushing. Flushing is a natural occurrence caused during hot weather where the aggregate becomes level with the bituminous binder layer creating a hazardously smooth road surface during wet weather.[citation needed]

Availability

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Commercial water jet cutting systems are available from manufacturers all over the world, in a range of sizes, and with water pumps capable of a range of pressures. Typical water jet cutting machines have a working envelope as small as a few square feet, or up to hundreds of square feet. Ultra-high-pressure water pumps are available from as low as 40,000 psi (280 MPa) up to 100,000 psi (690 MPa).[45]

There has also been a growth in small, desktop-sized machines that operate at pressures under 10kpsi. A new manufacturer, "The Hydroblade" offers touchscreen control with sub 0.003" accuracy in a small footprint machine.

Process

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There are six main process characteristics of water jet cutting:

1. Uses a high-velocity stream of ultra high-pressure water 30,000&#;90,000 psi (210&#;620 MPa) which is produced by a high-pressure pump with possible abrasive particles suspended in the stream.
2. Is used for machining a large array of materials, including heat-sensitive, delicate, or very hard materials.
3. Produces no heat damage to the workpiece surface or edges.
4. Nozzles are typically made of tungsten carbide.

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5. Produces a taper of less than 1° on most cuts, which can be reduced or eliminated entirely by slowing down the cut process or tilting the jet.

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6. Distance of the nozzle from the workpiece affects the size of the kerf and the removal rate of material. Typical distance is .125 in (3.2 mm).

Temperature is not much of a factor because the water used also acts as a coolant.

Edge quality

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Edge quality for water jet cut parts is defined with the quality numbers Q1 through Q5. Lower numbers indicate rougher edge finish; higher numbers are smoother. For thin materials, the difference in cutting speed for Q1 could be as much as 3 times faster than the speed for Q5. For thicker materials, Q1 could be 6 times faster than Q5. For example, 4 inches (100 mm) thick aluminium Q5 would be 0.72 in/min (18 mm/min) and Q1 would be 4.2 in/min (110 mm/min), 5.8 times faster.[54]

Multi-axis cutting

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A 5-axis waterjet cutting head A 5-axis waterjet part

In , Ingersoll-Rand Waterjet Systems offered a 5-axis pure-water waterjet cutting system called the Robotic Waterjet System. The system was an overhead gantry design, similar in overall size to the HS-.

With recent advances[when?] in control and motion technology, 5-axis water jet cutting (abrasive and pure) has become a reality. Where the normal axes on a water jet are named Y (back/forth), X (left/right) and Z (up/down), a 5-axis system will typically add an A axis (angle from perpendicular) and C axis (rotation around the Z-axis). Depending on the cutting head, the maximum cutting angle for the A axis can be anywhere from 55, 60, or in some cases even 90 degrees from vertical. As such, 5-axis cutting opens up a wide range of applications that can be machined on a water jet cutting machine.

A 5-axis cutting head can be used to cut 4-axis parts, where the bottom surface geometries are shifted a certain amount to produce the appropriate angle and the Z-axis remains at one height. This can be useful for applications like weld preparation where a bevel angle needs to be cut on all sides of a part that will later be welded, or for taper compensation purposes where the kerf angle is transferred to the waste material &#; thus eliminating the taper commonly found on water jet-cut parts. A 5-axis head can cut parts where the Z-axis is also moving along with all the other axes. This full 5-axis cutting could be used for cutting contours on various surfaces of formed parts.

Because of the angles that can be cut, part programs may need to have additional cuts to free the part from the sheet. Attempting to slide a complex part at a severe angle from a plate can be difficult without appropriate relief cuts.

See also

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References

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The aerospace, medical and automotives industry all employ titanium, which is light weight and has good corrosion resistance. It also has high strength to weight ratio. Machining of titanium is not a simple task because of its high hardness value and it is difficult to choose the right process for machining. Here are 10 different ways to cut titanium and its alloys, their processes, tools required and their specific advantages. Based on which you can select the appropriate process according to your requirements.

 

 

 

Is Titanium Easy to Cut?

 

Due to its reactive nature, cutting titanium is not simple at all. The process of cutting should take place in a cold environment to save the metal from contamination and discoloration. It has low conductivity and less heat is transferred by the tool which shortens tool life. Titanium may be cut precisely and effectively using a variety of tools like band saws, waterjets, plasma and laser cutters.

 

 

Can you cut titanium with carbide?

 

Yes, mostly for titanium cutting carbide tool is used. Carbide tools are divided into two major groups titanium carbide and tungsten carbide. They retain their hardness value over a range of temperatures. Different coatings like PVD are used on carbide tools which dissipates heat and extend their life. Most of the time, fine or medium-grain carbides are used for the cutting process which have low binder content in them.

 

 

Titanium Alloy Properties Table

 

Physical Properties

 

Density

4.5 g/cm3

Melting Temperature

-°C

Boiling temperature

°C

 

 

Mechanical Properties

 

Tensile strength

220 MPa

Modulus of elasticity

116 GPa

Hardness, Brinell

70

Shear Modulus

43 GPa

Elongation at break %

54 %

Poison&#;s ratio

0.34

 

 

Thermal properties

 

Thermal expansion co-efficient (at 20-100°C)

8.90 µm/m°C

Thermal conductivity

17 W/mK

 

If you want to know more about the performance of titanium grades, our blog also have titanium grade 1 and titanium grade 2 for you to learn from.

 

 

 

Titanium Cutting Tools and Equipment

 

Any business that deals with cutting of titanium should have a solid understanding about different equipment and tools being utilized. Choosing the wrong tool may cause excessive wearing which will result in time wastage during changeover and high overall tool cost. Most of the tools lie in four major categories Cast alloys, High speed steels (HSS), Ceramics and carbides.

 

 

Want more information on titanium sheet for sale? Feel free to contact us.

Can diamond cut titanium

 

Diamond hardness is much higher than titanium in fact it is the hardest element. On Rockwell&#;s scale diamond hardness is 98.07 and titanium has a value of 36. A diamond coated disc or diamond blades are used in cutting of titanium rings.

 

 

 

How to Cut Titanium: 11 Way Cutting Guide

 

Cutting titanium sheet by hand

 

Cutting titanium sheet is possible but the high hardness value has made it a difficult task. It can be cut used power hacksaws, band saws and circular saws. Hacksaws are readily available and easy to use by marking the specimen and then applying the tool with force. It will take a lot of time but will save money.

 

 

Saw cut Titanium

 

Precision saw cutting of titanium produces clean, smooth edges that are essential for aerospace and medical applications.

 

 

Band saw blade for cutting titanium

 

In band saw titanium cutting method, a special blade is used whose teeth contains carbide tips which maintains their sharpness longer than the tools having steel tips over them. Coolants are necessary for this cutting process to increase the cutting accuracy and also stops contamination as titanium is highly reactive. Band saw blades have relatively longer life and provide fast cutting.

 

 

With angle grinder

 

Cutting of titanium can be done using an angle grinder with a cut off disk. An angle grinder with masonry cutting disks is probably the fastest. Masonry disks use a silicon carbide abrasive instead of the normal aluminum oxide. If you use normal grinding disks, you almost melt it out of the way instead of properly cutting. You have to be a little patient; titanium is really hard and it would take a while.

 

 

Laser cutting titanium

 

A laser cutter can also be used for cutting titanium. Combination of nitrogen and oxygen in carbon dioxide laser is used for this process. This process can also cause burning of the metal substrate. So, an expert metal fabricator is required to optimize the gas combination which will provide a superior finish.

 

 

Plasma cutting titanium

 

Plasma torch or a plasma CNC machine can also be used for the precise cutting of aluminum. It is incredibly adaptable and is particularly beneficial for the specimen that are difficult to position on the bench or CNC bed. Specialized gases are used for cutting of titanium. Argon and nitrogen gasses are used for this process. Argon gas provides better precision whereas nitrogen is used to increase the cutting speed.

 

 

Turning titanium

 

Milling of titanium is not as simple as other non-precious metals. A lot of factors have to be looked upon for effective cutting. Titanium can overheat during the milling process to the point where the equipment is damaged and the process stops. The life of a titanium machining tool is from 45- 90 minutes. Cutting titanium on a lathe requires a lot of patience, because it is effective only at low speed which increases the tools life. Titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) tool coated with carbide with the help of PVD process is effective for the process of milling.

 

 

Milling titanium

 

Milling of titanium is not as simple as other non-precious metals. A lot of factors have to be looked upon for effective cutting. Titanium can overheat during the milling process to the point where the equipment is damaged and the process stops. The life of a titanium machining tool is from 45- 90 minutes. Machining titanium requires a lot of patience, because it is effective only at low speed which increases the tools life. Titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) tool coated with carbide with the help of PVD process is effective for the process of milling.

 

 

Waterjet cutting

 

Cutting titanium using waterjet is very effective process. It can cut titanium blocks having thickness up to 8 inches (softer materials like aluminum can be cut up to 12 inches). This cutting thickness is far superior than that of any other technique like laser or plasma cutting. Almost all titanium grades available in the market can be cut using this technique. It produces samples with no heat affected zones. Titanium pie cut for exhausts are made through waterjet cutting.

 

 

CNC machine cutting

 

Computer numerical control machines are also feasible for this process. The machine can easily and safely program to cut titanium plates and sheets. Operator at Tuofa use unique techniques, angles and speed to ensure a damage free cut. Using CNC machining precision titanium cutting can be done.

 

 

EBM electron beam machining

 

Electron beam machining (EBM) technique can be used for advanced titanium cutting. It is especially helpful for hard-to-machine materials like titanium because it removes material accurately by subjecting a stream of high-velocity electrons. EBM is a specialized technology compared to conventional methods like laser or waterjet cutting which makes it expensive, but its reduced heat effect and precision make it useful for the process of cutting.

 

 

 

Cutting Method Summary Chart and Advantages

 

Cutting Method

Advantages

Manual cutting

Increased control, Reduced heat affected zone and less material wastage

Saw cutting

Fast speed, Minimum Heat transfer

Laser cutting

High Precision, Narrow Kerf Width

Plasma cutting

Fast Cutting Speed, Versatile Materials are compatible

Turning

Suitable for Cylindrical Shapes, High Removal Rate

Milling

Complex Shape Machining, Wide Range of Materials

Waterjet cutting

Cold Cutting Process, No Heat-Affected Zone

EBM cutting

Additive Manufacturing, Complex and Custom Designs

CNC machine cutting

Automated Precision, Consistent and Reproducible

 

 

Here is a YouTube link for better understanding of machining titanium.

 

 

 

 

 

Best way to cut titanium

 

Titanium alloys have high strength and hardness values. The best way to cut titanium is to use a carbide tipped band saw. They not only provide you with a precise cut but also increase the life of the blade and the cutting speed. Mostly tungsten carbide or titanium carbide cutting tools are used.

 

 

Can titanium rings be cut off

 

Yes, titanium rings can be cut off but it uses special cutting tools such as dental saws, drills or diamond tipped saws.

 

 

How to cut titanium rod

 

Titanium rods possess exceptional mechanical properties and are used in various applications that require strength and durability. Hence, it&#;s necessary to use the appropriate cutting tools and techniques. Common methods for cutting titanium rods include hacksawing, abrasive sawing, bandsaw cutting and plasma cutting. These techniques assure precise and straight cuts. To retain the properties of titanium it is crucial to minimize the heat generated by using coolants or lubricants.

 

 

How to cut titanium sheet metal

 

Titanium sheet metal can be easily cut by laser cutting, water jet cutting and shearing. These methods offer minimal heat generation, which is necessary to avoid the work hardening phenomenon. Furthermore, these methods offer precision which is essential when cutting sheet metal since it is typically utilized in contexts where close tolerances are of great importance.

 

 

How to cut titanium tubing

 

The titanium tubing is hollow and cylindrical in shape, used in applications requiring fluid or gas conveyance. Cutting can be done with methods such as abrasive cutting, bandsaw cutting, or tube cutting machines. The selection of tube cutting machinery depends on specific tube requirements such as production speed, end quality and available raw materials. These tools are designed to make precise cuts without damaging the tubing. A suitable lubricant can be used to reduce friction to prevent damaging the tubing and blades. It's necessary to use light and even pressure to produce a seamless finish.

 

 

 

What is cutting titanium used for

 

Due to the exceptional properties of titanium, it has versatile industrial applications. Cutting titanium plays a major role in aerospace, medical, and manufacturing sectors. Its high strength to weight ratio makes it ideal for fabricating precise components used in aircraft construction. Titanium is a first-generation implant biomaterial, renowned for its biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. It is crucial in the medical field for creating implants and surgical instruments. It is non-toxic, durable and resistant to extreme conditions which make it an ideal candidate for industrial applications.

 

 

 

Tips for Successful Cutting of Titanium

 

Following tips can be helpful for you in cutting the titanium substrate

 

1. Low cutting speed: low cutting speed can minimize the heat input, lower the possibility of material distortion and also maintain material&#;s mechanical properties.
2. High feed rates should be given: High feed rates minimize dwell time on the material, which maximizes machining efficiency and lowers tool wear.
3. Use large amount of cutting fluid: A sufficient amount of cutting fluid contributes to lubrication and cooling, extending tool life and minimizing overheating.
4. Sharp tools usage and replacement when required: While prompt replacements maintain consistent machining quality, sharp tools ensure accurate cuts and eliminate excessive friction.
5. Avoiding damage when tool and workpiece are in contact: Continuous feeding keeps heat from building up, preserving the integrity of the tool, and avoiding workpiece damage.

 

 

 

Why Choose Tuofa to custom titanium parts

 

Tuofa uses different manufacturing technologies in cutting and machining parts precisely and swiftly. Engineers in Tuofa advise you choose the best process for different materials for a specific application.

 

 

Functional Prototyping

 

Functional prototyping facility is also available at Tuofa. A prototype of a material is made and is tested before starting large scale production.

 

 

High performance Components

 

They have high quality standards and is ISO : certified. Give you services like process, design and materials. They also provide you a way for cost optimization.

 

 

Affordable Price

 

Services are given on affordable prices. They also leverage supply capacity in China&#;s large market.

 

 

Low-volume Production

 

They also give you an opportunity to have million parts produced to a single prototype.

 

Work with Tuofa, send drawings now to and you will know how we can help you complete your project.

 

 

 

FAQs about cut titanium

 

How to cut titanium at home

 

For cutting titanium substrates at home, you can choose different methods and tools such as hacksaw, circular saw, jigsaw, angle grinder or Dremel tool. This equipment is cheap and readily available in market. The processing takes a lot of time and requires patience. Fast equipment like bandsaw, plasma and laser cutting machine are used in industries.

 

You can mark the area of cutting with the help of a permanent marker and while cutting thick sections also you should use a lubricating agent like machine oil. Last but not the least take care of the safety first. Titanium chips fly during the cutting process so you should wear the safety goggles.

 

 

How to cut titanium angle

 

Angle between the specimen and a tool is very important. Angle which gives you the maximum cutting speed, finishing and thin chips is considered the best. Cutting angle depends upon tool and the specimen geometry as well as the material which they are made up of. For band saw cutting specimen is directed towards the tool at a little angle of 5o-10oC from the vertical position. This prevents the heat input and reduces friction.

 

 

Blade for cutting titanium

 

For the cutting of titanium metal, you choose carbide or high-speed steel which has positive rake angle and sharp teeth. Choose the tool having the higher tooth count, required width and thickness. Titanium coated blades can also be used for corrosion resistance.