A leader in the development of waterjet machining, LAI optimizes the process for advanced manufacturing applications. LAI’s staff can provide process development for innovative applications as well as program management from concept through finished parts for long-run production parts.

High-Definition Waterjet CuttingTM is ideal, in many cases, for material removal and near-net cutting of metal components. Waterjet processing cuts through materials like titanium and stainless steel faster than conventional machining methods. Parts are often blanked out by waterjet processing before undergoing final CNC machining. LAI's specialized waterjet workstations can trim complex three-dimensional parts, cut material such as titanium up to 18 inches thick and drill holes as small as 0.016 inches in diameter.

LAI's waterjet processes include Five-Axis Waterjet Machining, High-Definition Waterjet CuttingTM, Waterjet Drilling,  Waterjet Drill-to-Flow ProcessingTM and Rotary Waterjet Processing.

Waterjet Drilling 

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Multi-head waterjet cutting.

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Angled holes drilled by five-axis waterjet.

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Waterjet-drilled 90-degree holes.

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Waterjet-drilled diamond-shaped holes in titanium.

 

 

LAI is the world leader in precision, shaped hole drilling with waterjet technology, pioneering development of advanced waterjet hole-drilling technologies. LAI’s advanced abrasive waterjet process drills precision shaped holes to diameters as small as 0.016 inches. This process provides a number of advantages over traditional machining methods, including:

  • Angles from 20 to 90 degrees.
  • Custom hole drilling to any shape.
  • Diameters as small as 0.016 inches.
  • Drilling through thermal barrier coated parts.
  • Improved hole profiles.
  • Lower processing costs.
  • Superior hole quality.
  • Tolerances to ±0.002 inches.
LAI uses advanced technologies to waterjet drill precision holes in composite materials with no de-lamination of the material for applications including composite noise-abatement liners in jet engines.

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Five-axis waterjet drilling in titanium.

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Titanium airframe screen panel.

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Aerospace screen panels and a rudder bump.

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Waterjet-drilled, 90-degree holes in an impingement-plate.

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Waterjet-drilled angled holes in an impingement plate.

 

Waterjet Drill-to-Flow Processing

LAI has pioneered development of processing shaped cooling holes using an enhanced abrasive milling technology that eliminates thermal distortion, re-cast layers and the need for secondary operations. LAI recently expanded its Advanced Hole-Drilling Production Center to process turbine components for power generation and aerospace industries. LAI's Drill-to-Flow Abrasive Waterjet ProcessTM drills precision shaped holes to diameters as small as 0.018 inches. This innovative process provides a number of advantages over traditional machining methods, including:

  • Superior hole quality.
  • Greater design freedom.
  • Tighter flow control.
  • Improved hole profiles.
  • No re-cast layers or globules.
  • Lower processing cost.
  • Ability to drill through thermal-barrier-coated parts.