At the pace it is going, hydro-cutting will soon become a billion dollar industry. The reasons for this is that water jet cutting is becoming a staple for precision part manufacturing and intricate artwork. If you want to know how water jet works and its advantages, then you should read below.
A pump and a nozzle are the basic parts in a water jet. There are two kinds of cutting performed by these machines. One of the kinds of cutting performed by water jet is pure water cutting. These use extremely high pressures to be able to cut through softer materials. In this form of cutting, high water pressure is able to cut through non-ferrous metals, textiles, and wood. Precise cutting of materials is possible with the use of a thin stream of water, combined with extreme pressure.
You can also use water jet cutting for abrasive cutting. Cutting through harder materials is possible with a modified nozzle and the use of abrasive materials. This abrasive combines with the stream of flowing water in a nozzle. IN abrasive cutting, the abrasive removes the small particles and water washes them away.
The most common abrasive material use is almandine garnet but there are harder abrasive required for some materials. You can cut hardened steel, ceramics, and even some with abrasive water jets. Even titanium can be precision machined with specialized controls.
There have been many changes done to this intense process over the years. It is possible to learn more about the types of heads that are currently available through manufacturers.
Here are some benefits of using water jets compared to other cutting processes.
This machine uses an extremely thin stream of water and this is why there is not material waste is seen. This can help reduce the cost of building individual parts n the aerospace industry over time.
Another benefit is that you minimize post-cutting finishing. It requires minimal finishing since the material does not warp and its edge is smooth.
As long as the correct abrasive compound is used, abrasive water jets can be used to cut through almost any material. Abraisve water jets can cut through thicker materials which other types of cutting cannot do.
Its being environmentally friendly is another benefit of water jets. They don’t use much water and there are no hazardous waste created during the cutting process.
The use of water jets is only when it is completely necessary. You can use in it artistic applications and parts which require extreme precision.
This is the only process that allows you to CnC some materials. Stone simply can’t be cut with the majority of industrial cutting techniques.
It has applications in aerospace and automotive industries where precision is very important.
Even titanium in bulk can be cut with water jet.
It is possible to bring cutting to speed with water jet.