Waterjet Cutting

Waterjet Cutting is a precision machining process that uses a thin, high-pressure stream of water to cut materials. It is an extremely versatile method capable of cutting both hard and soft materials, and it offers several unique advantages compared to other cutting techniques such as laser cutting or plasma cutting.

How Does it Work?

Waterjet cutting utilizes a pump to force water at extremely high pressure (up to 6,000 bar) through a small nozzle. This high-pressure water jet is then directed at the material to cut it. For harder materials, an abrasive medium (such as garnet) is often added to the water stream to increase its cutting power. This is known as “abrasive waterjet cutting.”

Types 

  • Pure: This method uses only water without an abrasive additive. It is suitable for softer materials like rubber, textiles, paper, plastic, and food products.
  • Abrasive: For cutting harder materials such as metal, stone, glass, or ceramics, an abrasive powder is added to the water stream. This significantly enhances the cutting power.

Advantages

  • No Heat Input: One of the biggest advantages of waterjet cutting is that it is a cold process. No heat is generated, which prevents material deformation or burning. This makes it ideal for heat-sensitive materials like titanium, aluminum, and plastics.
  • High Precision: Waterjet cutting can achieve extremely precise cuts with tolerances as tight as approximately 0.1 mm, making it suitable for precision work and complex designs.
  • Versatility: Waterjet cutting can cut almost any material, from metals, stone, and ceramics to wood, rubber, and plastic. It can also cut both thin and thick materials, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Since waterjet cutting does not produce hazardous fumes or gases and often requires no additional chemical treatments, it is considered a more environmentally friendly cutting process.
  • Smooth Cut Surface: The process typically leaves a very smooth cut edge, meaning that post-processing is often unnecessary. This saves time and costs in further machining steps.