Waterjet
What is a waterjet and what can it do?
​
A waterjet is a complex computerized machine that utilizes a high pressure stream of water to finely cut a narrow profile in the material. Waterjet technology enables the most intricate shapes, patterns and designs to be cut from a very wide variety of materials. As the nozzle moves along the material being cut, the waterjet stream will bend in the direction of travel. This means that a waterjet tends to undercut corners and swing wide on curves, resulting in fast, accurate cutting for all types of shapes. This is what gives waterjet technology its versatility.
To cut a wider range of materials from steel to titanium, a granular abrasive is added to the waterjet, increasing the cutting power. Because the abrasive is added only at the nozzle, it is simple to switch between water-only and abrasive waterjet cutting. This makes a waterjet machine very versatile, as it can easily switch to cutting very dense materials. Water-only waterjet cutting is a term used to describe the process of waterjet cutting without the addition of abrasive particles. In this case, it is the pressure and speed of the water itself which penetrates the material. Pure waterjet cutting is ideal for softer materials like fabrics, rubber, or metal foils.
​
The use of specialist 3D computerised motion control software enables the production of highly complex shapes and patterns, as well as the capacity to waterjet materials at 55,000 PSI up to 200mm in thickness, and a profiling accuracy of +/- 0.1mm. The process also allows for extremely flexible quantity requirements to be met, from rapid prototyping for development work to full volume production. Regardless of quantity requirements, waterjet technology cost-effectively produces components to a consistent quality standard.
​
By virtue of the power a waterjet can operate at, cutting almost any material is possible. Common hard materials such as stainless steel, aluminium, marble, granite and stone, brass and copper, as well as being able to quickly and accurately cut soft material such as foam and rubber, plastics, cork and leather amongst many others. The only material that can't be waterjet cut is toughened glass. This draws in clients from many different industries, including, but not limited to construction, automotive, engineering, marine, oil & gas, and glass works.
Waterjet cutting enables high precision complex profiling, while at the same time maintaining the materials inherent structure. Since waterjet is a cold cutting process there are no heat affected zones; thus materials are cut without their intrinsic properties being harmed or changed, delivering a much higher quality of the finished parts. This also means less post-profiling processing required, reducing the customer’s lead-time and net cost. Also, there are no restrictions on hole and cutting size.
​
Waterjet cutting technology is also more environmentally friendly than conventional machining as it uses no noxious gases or liquids and the waterjet do not create hazardous vapours.
​