Water Jet Machining
Water jet machining is an erosion process in which high pressure water precisely cuts and grinds away minuscule amounts of material. The addition of abrasive substances added to the water inlet jet stream greatly increases the stream's ability to cut through harder materials such as steel and titanium. This revolutionary technique is a cold cutting process which removes material without heat. Water jet machining is an alternative to traditional cutting processes such as laser cutting and plasma cutting, and it is able to cut through virtually any material. The water jet machining process is combined with CNC processes to precisely machine parts and etch intricate designs. Industries such as automotive, aerospace, model-making and other industries that require small intricate designs find the process of water jet machining cost-efficient, time-efficient and relatively easy to perform. The water and abrasive materials used are also 100% recyclable.
Most water jet machining is done with abrasives, so water jet cutting is often synonymous with abrasive jet cutting. A water jet machine consists of a water reservoir, an abrasive reservoir, a high pressure water pump, a jet stream creating jewel and a nozzle. The water that shoots out of the nozzle can apply between 20,000-60,000 PSI. This slim jet of water creates such a clean cold cut that secondary processes are usually unnecessary. Before cutting, the materials are carefully laid on top of slates over or submerged in the catch tank, and a CAD/CAM or CNC program controls the water jet machining.