Water Jet Cutter

Water Jet Cutters

A water jet cutter is a tool for slicing into metal or other materials using a jet of water at high velocity and pressure, or a mixture of water and an abrasive (suspended grit, garnet or aluminum oxide).

Types of water jets include plain water jets, abrasive water jets, percussive water jets, cavitation jets and hybrid jets.

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How Water Jet Cutters Work

The cutter is commonly connected to a high-pressure water pump from which the water is ejected through a nozzle, cutting through the material with a jet of high-speed water. Additives in the form of , can assist in this process.

With water jet cutters there is no heat affected zone (HAZ) as there is with other types of cutting.

Water jet cutters are also capable of producing rather intricate cuts in material. The kerf, or width, of the cut can be changed by changing parts in the nozzle, as well as the type and size of abrasive.

Commercial water jet cutting systems are available from manufacturers all over the world, in a range of sizes, and with water pumps capable of a range of pressures.