Water jet cutting is a non-thermal cutting method using only natural sand and water to cut almost any material. The brittle cutting process give a smooth cutting surface with no slag or heat affected zones, and there is less need for post processing.
All materials can be cut by the same water jet machine, from soft rubber and plastics to the hardest metals and ceramics. A CNC operated water jet cutter ensures identical parts independent of volumes and with a minimum of waste material.
How does waterjet cutting work?
TAP WATER TURNS INTO JET BEAM
It all starts with ordinary tap water. It is filtered and pressurised in an Ultra High-Pressure pump, then delivered via high-pressure tubes to the waterjet cutting head. A small diameter orifice will concentrate the water beam and the pressure turns into velocity. The supersonic water beam cuts all kinds of soft material like plastic, foam, rubber and wood. This process is called Pure Water Jet Cutting (PWJ).
ABRASIVE ADDS POWER
To increase the cutting power, grains of an abrasive is added to the stream and the water beam turns into high-speed sandpaper cutting all kinds of hard materials like stone, glass, metal and composites. This process is called Abrasive Water Jet Cutting (AWJ). For micro components and really narrow cuts there is the Fine Abrasive Water Jet process (FAWJ), based on the same principles as AWJ.
When and why to choose waterjet cutting?
WHEN TO USE WATERJET CUTTING?
Complement laser & plasma
Waterjet systems can cut a comprehensive range of materials and thicknesses without thermal impact on the material.
Prepare before milling
Waterjet cutting is ideal for preparation of parts before milling. Cut two dimensional solids quickly and easily to save both processing time and tool wear.
Streamline EDM
When the EDM tolerances are no required, waterjet cutting is a cost-efficient complementary cutting method. The water jets also cut non-conducting materials like composites and glass.
Substitute or Complement
Depending on your needs and requirements waterjet cutting can either be a substitute or a complement to your present cutting solution.
WHY CHOOSE WATERJET CUTTING?
Most profitable
Waterjet repeatedly comes out as the most profitable cutting method compared to traditional thermal methods when calculating overall production cost.
Smooth cutting edge
With a precision of 0.1 mm, the surface can be made so smooth that there is no or very little need for additional processing.
No negative heat effects
With the cold waterjet cutting method, the material will always keep its characteristics. No micro cracks, stress and hardened surfaces. This also eliminates impact by dust, toxic gases and deformationby slag and dross.
High precision cuts
A pure waterjet beam makes thin incisions of 0.1-0.25mm. An Abrasive Water Jet makes 0.4-1mm wide cuts, in up to 300mm thick solids at a tolerance of 0.025mm. The FAWJ cutting head on Micro cutting gives a 0.2mm incision at the extreme tolerance of 0.1mm!
Simple & versatile
You can cut different materials and shapes from prototypes to serial production with simple programming, the same cutting tool and a very short set up time.
Got more questions about waterjet cutters?
We've compiled some of our most frequently asked questions here, alternatively please do contact us or give us a call on 01937 845 499
Materials suitable for Water Jet Cutting
METALS
Metal cutting by Abrasive Water Jet Cutting (AWJ) is a major area of application for water jet cutting technology. Finely grained sand combined with the ultra-high pressure water beam creates a powerful cutting tool, cutting up to 300 mm thick metal into...
COMPOSITES
There is an increased use for composite materials in many industries, yet there are few machine tools really suitable for processing them with a major challenge being tool wear. Water jet cutting has no extra tool wear and also offers the option to cut...
GLASS
Standard glass, composite glass, armored glass or Plexiglass? Glass his a frequent application area for water jet cutting. Diamonds may cut straight lines, but when it comes to curved shapes, water jet is a natural priority. Glass is sensitive to cracking...
STONE & CERAMIC
Water jet cutting is used to cut stone and tiles into different shapes all over the world from comprehensive architectural structures and specific interior design elements to unique installations of public art. Using a water jet machine for free-cutting, you can...
RUBBER & PLASTICS
When cutting soft materials like rubber, plastics and foam, there is no need for abrasives. For soft materials, the pure water jet cutting process (PWJ) is a priority alternative. PWJ cuts rapidly with very narrow cuts of 0.1 mm. When it comes to soft materials, the water jet...
WOOD
Processing of wood has become something of an established niche application for water jet cutting and there are some application areas of specific interest. The wood materials most frequently used today are fabricated ones, like veneer and...
Got any questions? There are lots of FAQs here or just use the contact button to ask!
Industry Applications for Water Jet Cutting
Water Jet Sweden provide water jet cutters to a wide range of industries, you'll find a selection of some of them below.
Please scroll through to find your industry or application.
Why choose Water Jet Sweden
Expertise
Over 30 years industry experience with CNC water jet cutting machines installed throughout the UK.
Service
UK technical service and spare parts for the full range of Water Jet Sweden cutters
Support
Our team of experienced, factory trained water jet cutting engineers are on hand to solve any problems 24 hours a day.
Please contact us with any questions you may have or take a look at our FAQs here
Our Clients
We have the expertise and knowledge to satisfy the most demanding water jet cutting requirements. Here’s just a small selection of WJS UK clients.
