Waterjet cutting typically utilizes a combination of water mixed with an abrasive material to perform the cut, and is used in industries around the world, such as automotive, agricultural, and aerospace.
Understanding the various methods of metal cutting and part processing is important for any company in modern manufacturing. Waterjet cutting processes, for example, provide several benefits to manufacturers in addition to pricing, such as sustainability and environmental cleanliness, and precision.
Waterjet cutting is considered safe and environmentally friendly. Because waterjet cutting is a cold process, no heat is transferred into the material, so no warping occurs, and no fumes are dispersed into the air. Comparative processes to waterjet cutting, such as laser cutting and plasma cutting, leave a Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) near the cut area of the material.
Waterjet cutting technology offers a balance between speed and precision, making it suitable for a range of applications. In addition, the cutting beam diameter is capable of being reduced to as small as 0.15 millimeters to provide a very detailed and accurate cut.
What Components are Typically Used in Waterjet Cutting?
Specific waterjet cutting components are crucial to this “cold” and “non-contact” process that utilizes high water pressure levels to erode and cut a variety of materials into the required shape. These components include the nozzle, the CNC and cutting table, and the pump and hopper.
The Waterjet Nozzle
The waterjet nozzle is a crucial component for the cutting process. The heart of the waterjet nozzle is the diamond orifice, known as the cutting head, that forms the waterjet stream. The bigger the orifice, the greater the waterjet flow and the faster the cutting process. Soft materials can be cut with water only, while harder materials require abrasives.
CNC and Cutting Table
The Computer Numerical Control, or CNC, and the cutting table are crucial waterjet cutting components . Waterjet CNCs use digital servo drive system technology developed in tandem with experts in CNC tooling and cutter grinders. The CNC is proficient at processing large batches of information and automatically providing feedback for part nesting and other cutting parameters. The cutting table provides a fixed position for the raw material on an XYZ axis.
Pump and Hopper
Some of the most crucial waterjet cutting machine components include the pump and the hopper. The pump for waterjet cutting can provide water pressures high enough to erode the parts designed to contain the water, so it is important to check for leaks and damaged equipment before cutting begins. The abrasive hopper stores and regulates the flow of abrasive into the waterjet stream. Typically, garnet is used as an abrasive in waterjet cutting and so the abrasive hopper is also referred to as a garnet hopper.
THORS presents more about these waterjet cutting components, as well as machine setup and maintenance, in our new course, Waterjet Cutting Basics, presented in our visual and interactive learning format. In addition, we have a diverse manufacturing excellence library covering a variety of improvement methods used in manufacturing industries.
Visit thors.com to expand the knowledge and skillsets of your workforce, and to ensure that your company has the highest quality training available today.
