Using a (very) high-pressure stream of water, a water jet cutter can be used to cut metal parts in machine/fabrication shops. As incredible as it may sound, if you can get enough water running fast enough, it can cut through solid material, even metals.

Imagine a waterjet machine as some kind of equipment that comes with approximately 30 times the pressure of a high-end power washer wand at your local car wash outlet. Power washing at car wash centers is a typical illustration of how a dirt film can be “cut” away from the body of your car, as well as its wheels and tires, by virtue of high-pressure water.

drilling machine

In 1852, low-pressure waterjets were utilized for the first time in the gold mining industry and this took place in California. In the early 1900s, steam and hot water jets were utilized to clean out dirty floors and walls. 

High-pressure waterjets were first exploited in the mining industry in the 1960s, and it was only about a decade ago that the industrial sector commenced employing waterjet systems for cutting applications. The use of abrasive water jets (also known as abrasive jets) was initially utilized in the manufacturing business sometime in 1980.

The Secret Behind Waterjet Cutting 

The most important thing to keep in mind if you are cutting metal with water as your medium is to keep the spray of water consistent. Waterjet cutting machines can cut solid materials because the pressurized water spray is funneled through an extremely thin jeweled nozzle. A waterjet cutter, in complete contrast to traditional metal cutting systems, will never become dull. Moreover, it will never overheat. 

Waterjets can cut through the following materials:

  • Marble
  • Granite
  • Stone
  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Wood 
  • Stainless steel

metal fabricationBefore, only one piece of metal could be cut at a time using a saw or other mechanical metal cutting technique. It is time-consuming and costly, too. Today, the metal fabrication and manufacturing industry employs technology-based cutting systems like computer-controlled waterjet and abrasive jet cutting to cut a variety of soft and hard materials.

It is time-consuming and costly, too. But things have changed for the better now. Today, the metal fabrication and manufacturing industries employ technology-based cutting systems like computer-controlled waterjet and abrasive jet cutting to cut a variety of soft and hard materials.

Waterjet Power Lies in Pressurized Water

The pure water-abrasive mixture accelerates to over 900 mph as it makes its way out of the nozzle. The most advanced waterjet machines can cut to two-thousandths of an inch and travel at speeds of up to Mach 3.

While water jets are employed for handling the cutting of softer materials, abrasive jets are intended for cutting and slicing through tougher materials. The cutting process itself is frequently carried out underwater to minimize splash and noise. To keep the water jet cutter from cutting entirely through, faster feed rates should be taken advantage of. 

In most cases, the water pressure is going to be anywhere between 20,000 and 55,000 pounds per square inch or PSI. Water is driven through a jewel’s aperture (hole) with a diameter of 0.010 “to 0.015”.