Waterjet is a term used to refer to the equipment that used high-pressure water for cleaning or cutting purposes. The first form of water jet cutting was first used in the 1970s to cut corrugated cardboard and involved water jets. Abrasive water jet cutting was borne out of the need to cut harder materials. Since the 1990s, water jet machining has been growing in popularity among the industrial fraternity. Generally, abrasive water jet machining is preferred because of its versatility in the face of many working conditions. In this article we learn all about abrasive water jet machining and highlight some qualities that make the method popular with any abrasive water jet machining company. Operation Principle Water jet machining uses the principle of high-pressure water being forced through an orifice or a small hole using pressures of up to 4,000 bar. This restricted flow results in a high velocity and high pressure beam of water. Pure water jets are used to cut soft materials such as candy bars and diapers. For harder materials such as aluminium, a stronger jet in the form of abrasive water jet is required. Comparisons Abrasive water jet machining is different from pure water jet machining in several ways. First, water jet cutting relies on the power of its supersonic stream to erode material from the surface of the workpiece. In abrasive water jet cutting, the role of the water is to accelerate the abrasive particles, which in turn erode the surface. The second distinction is that an abrasive water jet cutting is more powerful than water jet cutting. Abrasive water jet cutting is used for extremely hard materials for example composites, glass, and metals. Qualities of the Method For an abrasive water jet machining company, this procedure is an answer to many cutting needs. An abrasive water jet is capable of cutting materials as hard as aluminium oxide ceramic. Some of the desirable attributes of this process include easy of operation, limited blurriness, both thin and thick material cutting, absence of mechanical stresses, and limited loss of materials. For safety in the workshop and environmental friendliness, waterjet cutting scores highly. Compared to other cutting methods, water jet cutting presents favourable accuracy, wider range of materials, and faster cutting.
Cost and Power Requirements Looking to form an abrasive water jet machine company? A water jet is usually acquired as a complete system comprising of abrasive feed system, waste water tank, water jet nozzle system, and high-pressure pump. Such as system is relatively priced, falling within a range of 50,000 dollars and 300,000 dollars. For custom systems, the prices can be even higher. Water jet machining systems are restricted to abrasive water jet machining company, mainly because of the electricity requirements and level of application. The systems are mostly used in industrial settings where the power demand for pumps can reach 250 amps. Manufacturers across the world are increasingly adopting abrasive water jet cutting for their operations. Increased reliability of pumps and nozzles, and better accuracy of control systems have characterized this method of cutting in recent years. As it stands, waterjets are some of the fastest growing technologies in the manufacturing world.