Waterjet cutting is a manufacturing process in which a workpiece is cut using a high-pressure waterjet – accordingly, it is classified as a cold cutting technology.
A high-pressure water pump pressurises the water. The water in water jet cutting is pressurized to 392 MPa (approximately 4,000 atmospheres) and projected using a small precision nozzle. As the water leaves the nozzle, it reaches speeds that are three times the speed of sound.This stream cuts whatever material is placed in front of it.
Water jet cutting has better accuracy, can cut complex designs, and is able to cut thermally sensitive surfaces. The cut edges are clean and can be welded without the need for further processing.
Waterjet cutting can be classified into two types:
- Pure Waterjet: Uses a pure water jet stream (without abrasives) to cut soft materials such as wood, rubber, or metal foils.
- Abrasive Waterjet: Uses a mix of water and abrasive substance to erode harder materials like metals, stones, or thick plastics.