Machinability
In order to add materials with accuracy, we need to find a value for machinability. It defines how much force it takes to cut the material with abrasive waterjet. The higher the machinability value, the easier it is to cut.
| Material |
Machinability |
| Hardened steel |
80.4 |
| 304 Stainless steel | 81.9 |
| 316 Stainless steel | 83.1 |
| Mild steel | 87.6 |
| Copper | 110 |
| Titanium | 115 |
| Zinc alloy | 136 |
| 6061-T6 Aluminium | 213 |
| Granite | 322 |
| White marble | 535 |
| Nylon | 538 |
| Glass | 596 |
| Plexiglass | 690 |
| Graphite | 879 |
| Polypropylene |
985 |
How to add material
- Open IGEMS CAD/CAM.
- Click on the "CAM" tab.
- Open the "Select" command.
- Open the material database.
- Select a material that is most similar to the material you want to add (you have to select the material name).
- Add a new material (This will create a duplicate of the material you have chosen in the list above).
- Give the material a new name and click "OK".
Give your material the correct properties
Now, the new material is in the database, but we need to give it some new properties. This is where it gets interesting. If you don't have the machinability value for your newly added material, please follow the guide below to calculate a new value.
- Place the new material on your machine table and prepare it for test cutting. It's recommended to test cut the thickness you will use the most.
- Cut a line in your material with a high feed rate so that the jet is not penetrating the material.
- Measure the depth of your cut.
- Add the values into the machinability calculator displayed below.
- Add the density value of your material so that IGEMS CAD/CAM can calculate part and sheet wights for reports and other handy features.
Done!