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Frequently Asked Questions About Waterjet Cutting
How does water jet cutting work? How does water jet cutting work?There are two main steps involved in the waterjet cutting process. First, the ultra-high pressure pump or intensifier pressurizes water to pressure levels above 40,000 psi (2760 bar); to produce the energy required for cutting. Second, water is then focused through a small precious stone orifice to form an intense cutting stream. The stream moves at a velocity of up to 2.5 times the speed of sound, depending on how the water pressure is exerted. The process is applicable to both water and water
abrasive jets. For abrasive cutting applications, abrasive garnet is fed
into the abrasive mixing chamber, which is part of the cutting head body,
to produce a coherent and an extremely energetic abrasive jet stream.
How fast can a waterjet cut and how does it hold accuracy?Cutting speed is determined by several variable factors, including the edge quality desired. Variables such as amount of abrasive used, cutting pressure, size of orifice and focus tube, pump horsepower, and etc. which can be adjusted to produce the desired results, whether your priority is speed or the finest cut. Speed and accuracy also depend on material texture,
material thickness, and the cut quality desired. In case of rubber and
gasket cutting, our waterjet motion capabilities would allow traversing
at 0.1 to 200 linear inches per minute.
How thick can a waterjet cut?This can range anywhere from a .010" up to 12" thick. It varies with the
softness or hardness of the material being cut.
Hard materials are normally cut from .001" up to
6" thick. Sometimes even thicker material can be cut, but as always it
depends on the finish desired. For all materials, adjustments can usually
be made to produce what our customer requires.
What is unique about waterjet compared to other cutting technologies?Waterjet allows tremendous flexibility and versatility in manufacturing and provides for more cutting possibilities. Simply put, waterjet is by far, the most flexible technology in our business and delivers results with amazing reliability. Here are a few examples that set waterjet technology apart from the rest:
What kinds of materials can be cut with a waterjet?A waterjet can cut both hard and soft materials. Soft materials are cut
with water only, while hard materials require a stream of water mixed
with fine grains of abrasive garnet. Materials including, titanium, stainless
steel, aluminum, exotic alloys, composites, stone, marble, floor tile,
glass, automotive headliners and door panels, gasket, foam, rubber, insulation,
textile, and many more.
Will waterjet cut any material? What are its limitations?There are some types of materials that are typically not good for the Water Jet Applications. Depending on the end use, wood is often a poor application, due to its fibers' absorption of water, which causes them to splay and become rough. Many fabrics do not cut well, as the fibers "squirm" out from under the cutting stream, rather than remain in place during the cutting process. A few materials require the waterjet to cut through one layer, cross
a void, then cut through another layer does not produce desirable results.
The cutting stream does not remain cohesive after cutting through the
upper layer, causing a poor edge quality on the next layer(s).
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