How does waterjet cutting work?

THIS IS HOW WATER CUTTING WORKS

STEP 1: APPLY PRESSURE

The water pressure of our tap water is usually between 2 and 4 bars. This is insufficient to cut materials. Therefore, the first step consists of increasing the pressure. Filtered tap water is compressed to about 4,000 bar by powerful pumps.

STEP 2: ADD ABRASIVE (OPTIONAL)

This step is optional because you can also cut softer materials such as fabrics, rubber or metal foils using only water.

However, materials such as stone, aluminum or steel are too hard to use only water. That's why we add an abrasive. These are small abrasive particles that perform the cutting. The water simply serves to give the abrasive enough speed and direction.

STEP 3: CUTTING WITH WATER

Finally, the water along with the abrasive is sprayed onto the material through a thin opening (called the nozzle). The high velocity, which can exceed 700 meters per second, creates a very precise cut.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Did you already know that a water cutting machine offers many more possibilities than simply cutting materials? Some examples:

• Mark, in which a small piece of material is removed under low pressure to provide an indication.
• Multiple cutting heads. Adding a 2nd head on a separate shaft. This way you cut twice in one motion.
• 3D cutting head. A cutting head that can move at angles for angled cuts. With this, complex shapes are possible.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WATER CUTTING?

Our product specialists will be happy to tell you more about its operation, benefits and applications. Contact us today for more information.

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