My time on the waterjet was an incredibly fun and hands-on experience! Here's a breakdown of the steps I followed throughout the day:

Day 1:

1. Setting Up the Waterjet:

   • We started by setting the home position for the waterjet. I did this by moving the nozzle to the corner and using a gauge pin to ensure the nozzle was positioned at 0. The gauge pin helped slide between the arm and the machine to confirm everything was aligned properly.

2. Verifying the Material:

   • Next, we checked the material to ensure it was the correct type for the job. We looked at the work order and cross-checked the metal sheet markings, which included the material thickness and the code with a "T4" at the end. This told us it was the right material for the waterjet.

3. Preparing the Material:

   • We then carefully removed the plastic film from the sheet of metal. Once the material was prepped, I loaded the aluminum sheet onto the waterjet using a suction cup to position it underwater.

4. Securing the Material:

   • After positioning the sheet where we wanted it, we used a vice to clamp the end of the sheet to the machine. This ensured the material stayed firmly in place during the cut.

5. Post-Cut Process:

   • After the cut was completed, I used a hose to spray off the sand from the part. Once it was clean, I carefully broke off the tabs holding the part in place and let it dry.

6. Handling the Scrap:

   • I then took the scrap sheet and disposed of it in the "aluminum only" bin.

7. Reaming the Part:

   • After the part dried, I reamed the holes using two different reamers for the two different hole sizes. This was a precise process to ensure the holes were smooth and the correct size.

8. Refilling the Garnet:

   • I also had to refill the garnet that feeds into the waterjet. We used two 55 lb garnet bags and dumped them into the funnel, making sure no foreign debris entered the machine.

Day 2:

1. Reaming a Titanium Part:

   • On the second day, I worked with a titanium part, reaming the holes with care. To prevent the bit from wearing out, I used pink lubricant and applied it every 5 holes.

2. First Part Check:

   • We performed a first part check in the quality department, and everything passed with flying colors.

3. Replacing a Part on the Waterjet:

   • I then replaced an old aluminum sheet in the waterjet. After removing the old material and placing it in the aluminum scrap bin, I loaded a new part, making sure it was squared up correctly. I used the suction cup to adjust the positioning as needed.

4. Adjusting and Starting the Waterjet:

   • I placed weights on top of the new part to hold it steady. After adjusting the waterjet by lifting it 3 inches, I brought it back to home position and set the starting point for the cut. Once everything was aligned, I started the waterjet.

5. Handling the Titanium Parts:

   • When the titanium sheet finished cutting, I carefully broke off the parts, paying close attention to the sharp edges, since titanium is a very tough and sharp material.

6. Deburring:

   • Deburring was the most enjoyable part of the day for me. We started with the whirly tool to deburr inside the holes, followed by using a 90-degree deburring tool with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth down the tabs. We then used a DA (Dual Action) sander to ensure the surface was free of burrs, which gave the parts a nice finish.

   • Finally, we used an inline sander to finalize the parts, ensuring they were ready to go.

7. Loading the CNC Program:

   • To finish, I located the PCM for the last part and loaded the CNC program, finding the code in the files and running it to complete the job.

Overall, the day was packed with valuable learning experiences, and I gained hands-on practice with both the waterjet and finishing processes. My favorite part was definitely deburring, as it allowed me to give the parts a smooth, professional finish.