Every one of those processes has its place in the manufacturing industry due to various benefits and limitations. Modern waterjet cutters have also incorporated CNC technology into their design to meet these goals with even better results.<\/p>\n
In this article, we shall take a deeper look into the advanced process of waterjet cutting.<\/p>\n
What Is Waterjet Cutting?<\/h2>\n
Waterjet cutting uses a high-pressure stream of water mixed with an abrasive material to cut a wide range of materials.<\/p>\n
A high-pressure water pump pressurises the water. This water flows through high-pressure tubing into the cutting head. In the cutting head, the water flows through a nozzle, turning it into an extremely fine stream. This stream cuts whatever material is placed in front of it.<\/p>\n
A waterjet cutting machine can produce pressures as high as 100,000 psi or about 6900 bars. To put it into perspective, fire hoses generally deliver pressures between 8 to 20 bars. The waterjet nozzle is assisted by a vision system to facilitate the precise and efficient cutting of the part.<\/p>\n
It is easy to manipulate the nozzle to accommodate the cutting of different materials. Depending on whether an abrasive substance is used or not, there are two types of waterjet cutting methods:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
Abrasive waterjet cutting<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Pure waterjet cutting<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Abrasive waterjet cutting<\/h3>\n
![\"ultra](\"https:\/\/fractory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Water-jet-cutting-nozzles.jpg\")
1. high-pressure water inlet; 2. jewel (ruby or diamond); 3. abrasive inlet; 4. mixing tube; 5. guard; 6. cutting water jet; 7. cut material<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \nWhen cutting harder materials, abrasive agents are mixed with the water. This occurs in a mixing chamber located in the cutting head just before the abrasive jet exits the system.<\/p>\n
Popular agents for abrasive waterjet cutting are suspended grit, garnet and aluminium oxide. As the material thickness\/hardness increases, so should the hardness of the abrasives in use.<\/p>\n
With the right abrasives, various material types can be cut. Common materials cut with abrasives are ceramics, metals, stones and thick plastics. There are, however, certain exceptions such as tempered glass and diamonds that cannot be cut with abrasive water. Tempered glass shatters when cut with a water jet.<\/p>\n
Pure waterjet cutting<\/h3>\n
Water jet cutters also work without the addition of abrasives, mainly to cut soft materials. A waterjet cutter designed only for this purpose does not have a mixing chamber or a nozzle. A high-pressure pump forces pressurised water out of an orifice to create precise cuts on the workpiece. Although most industrial cutting devices using waterjet technology enable the use of both methods.<\/p>\n
Pure waterjet cutting process is less invasive compared to abrasive waterjet cutting. The jet stream is also exceptionally fine and does not impart any additional pressure on the workpiece.<\/p>\n
Pure waterjet cutting is ideal for softer materials like foam, felt, wood, rubber, food and thin plastics.<\/p>\n
Waterjet Cutting Benefits<\/h2>\n
Waterjet cutting provides certain benefits that make it an excellent choice for general as well as very specific applications. Some of the benefits are as follows:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
High accuracy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
No heat-affected zone<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
No need for tool changes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Cost-effective process<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Compatibility with different materials<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Highly sustainable<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
High accuracy<\/h3>\n
\n\n
- \n