[Jewelry making - Article 01096] - Re: [Orchid] High pressure water jets cutting

[Jessica]

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    Not sure if I actually know how to post to Orchid but hopefully this
    will work.... 

    I am in the process of working with a waterjet company right now on
    doing a production run for a necklace I designed. Previously I made
    it on a laser cutter I had access to at my school so all my work was
    already in a digital format. Overall the company has been pleasant to
    work with but the process of them figuring out tolerances and
    processing the job has taken several months of them test cutting and
    sending me samples. To cut costs they are able to stack 3 layers of
    the material together (silicone). 

    Buying a waterjet would be very expensive. $100,000 would be a low
    estimate and there are no "small" waterjet machines. There are small
    laser cutters but they will not cut through metal. To cut thin steel
    you will need a 200 watt laser which puts you in a very different
    price bracket ($60,000). The most inexpensive and inobtrusive laser
    on the market right now is Versalaser from Universal Laser Systems. I
    believe their cheapest model is around $7,000 but you will be
    restricted to cutting paper, cardboard, and thin plastic....actually
    you can cut fabric too which is pretty fun. 

    I'm also working with a photochemical etching company on some steel
    pieces. I would recommend that over waterjet or laser for thin metal. 


Jessica
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