Glass is a unique substance that has traditionally been difficult to machine. Although it has a great deal of structural strength, even small scratches on the surface can lead to breaking and shearing. (In fact, the traditional method of “cutting” glass involves making a small scratch on the surface with a diamond file and then applying pressure until it breaks along the scratch.)
Accurate Waterjet approaches this problem by treating glass as a brittle substance. The material is pierced at low pressure, and the waterjet then automatically switches to high-pressure mode to continue the tool path. The speed of the tool path is also adjusted to avoid problems that are associated with brittle materials. As a result, Accurate Waterjet customers regularly order parts made completely from glass. We also work with optical quality glass, where the abrasivejet allows maximum use of the expensive material.
Ballistic glass which is laminated layers of glass (usually in 1/4″ layers) put together in up to 2″ thick stacks can easily be cut as well.
The only glass that can not be waterjet cut is Tempered Glass as it shatters when the jet hits it. It is possible to anneal the glass and then do the waterjet cutting and temper it again which is a rather expensive process.
When you logged onto the website, on the scroller you may have noticed the photos of the Vogue Fashion Awards Program. The reason for that photo is that we waterjet cut out the glass trophies that were handed out during this program. It was televised on VH1 in October 2001. It was the most high profile job and was seen by more people than any other parts we have ever made. They were made by laminating 2 plates of 1/2″ glass with the vinyl image in between them. We just had to align the machine zero with the cross-hairs and then cut the parts out.