What is water jet cutting

Water jet cutting is not new to the machine tool industry. It has been around since about 1970. With recent changes in technology, it is gaining in popularity. Water cutting is accomplished by forcing water at very high pressure (20,000 to 60,000 psi) through a small diameter orifice to produce a very high pressure water column. Abrasive jet cutting is similar but not the same as water jet cutting.

Water Jet Cutting

Waterjet cutting is used to cut a variety of thin or soft materials. These include soft rubber, foam, aluminum foil, carpet, paper and cardboard, soft gasket material, candy bars, diapers and soft or thin wood.

Waterjet wood cutting has become popular in the past decade. One of the reasons for the growing popularity of this tool is that a waterjet never dulls, nor does it create dust, noxious odors or generate excessive heat. Waterjets and abrasive water jets have been used to wooden signs, wood sculptures and saw logs.

Modern waterjet machinery is computer controlled and can be incredibly precise. The water pressure from some of these machines reaches 50,000 psi and can cut within two thousands of an inch. The water leaves the nozzle of these machines at speeds of more than 900 mph.

Waterjets were first developed for mining nearly 175 years ago. It is only in recent years that they have become practical for industrial useage. Today, water jet cutting is used for stone cutting and cutting steel, plastic, wood, stainless steel and even diapers and candy bars.