Abrasive waterjet cutting is the premier method for producing thick metal gears in stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, and brass without heat-affected zones (HAZ). GearDXF generates closed-loop vector geometries with root fillet controls and customizable backlash for waterjet cutting.
Yes, modern abrasive waterjets with dynamic tilt heads achieve tolerances of ±0.05mm to ±0.1mm, producing functional industrial gears in thick steel and aluminum.
Waterjet streams naturally taper as they penetrate thick stock. For critical gears, use a dynamic 5-axis taper-compensating waterjet head, or specify a small backlash margin in GearDXF.
6061-T6 aluminum (for lightweight mechanisms), 1018/1045 carbon steel (for power transmission), and 304/316 stainless steel (for food-grade and marine environments).