Water jet has become a popular alternative to traditional cutting processes. It doesn’t require the use of cutting shears, nor does it use heat. Rather, water jet cutting uses a concentrated stream of high-pressure water to slice through workpieces with extreme precision. Being that it’s used for many of the same applications as other cutting processes, though, you might be wondering what benefits water jet cutting offers.
#1) Cost-Effective
All cutting processes require a financial investment. With that said, water jet cutting is one of the most cost-effective cutting processes available. Since it doesn’t use heat, it consumes less energy than heat-based cutting processes, such as laser cutting. Manufacturing companies can perform water jet cutting to reduce their energy usage and, therefore, save money.
#2) Powerful
To say water jet cutting is powerful would be an understatement. With a pressure of 30,000 to 90,000 pounds per square (PSI), it’s able to easily cut through a variety of materials. Whether a workpiece is made of stainless steel, carbon steel, laminated steel or aluminum, it can probably be cut with a water jet. The water jet will blast the workpiece with a powerful stream of pressurized water, allowing for smooth and clean cuts.
#3) Safe
Water jet cutting is a safe cutting process. There are no toxic gases or fumes produced during this alternative cutting process. Water jets rely entirely on pressurized water to cut through workpieces. As a result, it’s considered a safe cutting process that doesn’t require the use of respiratory protection equipment.
#4) Preservation
Another benefit of water jet cutting is preservation. It’s able to cut through workpieces while preserving their structural integrity. Heat-based cutting processes, on the other hand, can change a workpiece’s physical properties. When exposed to heat, molecular changes may occur within the workpiece. The workpiece may become weaker, more brittle or even deformed. Water jet cutting doesn’t use heat, so workpieces are protected from these physical changes. It will preserve the physical integrity of workpieces without creating heat-affected zones.
#5) Precision
Water jet cutting is very precise. Using a water jet, manufacturing companies can cut workpieces with extreme precision. Some water jet machines, in fact, have a tolerance of 0.001 inches. Other cutting processes are less precise. For applications requiring highly precise cuts, water jet is often preferred.