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Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Waterjet Cutting Service

Wood material cut by the water jet from a past project

The Student Innovation Center Laboratory of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) features a Flow Mach 2 abrasive waterjet capable of cutting a wide variety of materials. ABE’s waterjet is primarily used to cut parts used in ABE undergraduate and graduate coursework and for ABE-led research projects. The waterjet is operated by ABE staff, and is also available for reasonably-sized cutting projects to other Iowa State University (ISU) Engineering departments, ISU non-engineering departments, and various ISU-sanctioned groups.

Part Design Guidelines

Parts are cut based on two-dimensional drawings submitted in DXF format

AutoCAD, Solidworks, Autodesk Inventor, and other CAD software are all capable of exporting parts in a DXF format

Ensure that the DXF is submitted in 1:1 scale

DXF part file naming should be descriptive and must include your name, part name, material thickness, and quantity. Example: waterjetuser_samplepart_250in_8pcs.dxf

Maximum part dimension size is 120.0″ L x 78.0″ W

Allowable Materials:

  • Aluminum
  • Steel
  • Plexiglass
  • Glass
  • Wood (plywood, OSB, pressboard, solid wood)
  • Rubber
  • Foam
  • Fiberglass
  • Composites

Non-Allowable Materials:

  • Tempered Glass
  • Advanced Ceramics

Ready to get started?

Please submit the Request Form to waterjet@iastate.edu to request waterjet cutting.

FAQ’s

Go to the ABE website, under Research Facilities and Laboratories. Look for the Student Innovation Center Laboratory-Water Jet Cutting Service link. Click on the link that will get you to the Water Jet webpage.

  1. Fill out the request form
  2. Send it to waterjet@iastate.edu

We prefer DXF format.

Almost anything! Send us an email or call the number below if you have something unique.

Depending on the type of material, we can go up to 2’’ thick on steel.

We charge $20/hr for any work under 30 minutes. The $40/hr rate will apply to any job lasting more than 30 minutes.

  • Yes, there is a $20 minimum base charge.
  • Base charge justification:
    • You pay $20 for any job that requires 1-30 minutes of the machine time. Anything above 30 minutes will be based on the $40/hr rate.

  1. Program worktage (PGxxxxxx) with department detail (DDyyyyy), intramural, or Ubill.
  2. Ubill (ISU students working on their own projects). Just provide you ISU ID.
  3. Intramural (ISU Student Clubs etc..).

Consult with us first, we may have what you needed and can give it to you for free. If we don’t, you can get them from these vendors:

Sargent Metal Fabricating

650 Arrasmith Trail, Ames, IA 50010

515-232-1535

 

Howe’s Welding & Metal Fabrication

811 S Duff Ave, Ames, IA 50010

515-232-4234

 

ISU Student Innovation Center

606 Bissell Rd, Ames, IA 50011

515-294-2649

 

Send your questions to waterjet@iastate.edu  or call 515-294-2985