Various material types can be sliced cleanly and precisely using the cold-cutting process known as water-jet cutting. Water-jet cutting was first used to cut paper and various very soft components with only pure water, but as the technology developed, different additives were added to the water flow to make it easier to cut harder materials.

To achieve precise cuts, pure water-jet cutting merely uses a narrow, pressured stream of water. By incorporating an abrasive substance, such as garnet, into the water stream, an abrasive water-jet cutter is capable of cutting through tougher or thicker materials. 

This article will help you choose the best water jet type to complete your desired task, and it will also briefly compare Pure Water Jet Cutting vs Abrasive Water Jet Cutting machines.

Working Principle And Scope Of Application

Although both pure and abrasive waterjet technologies use water to cut, they work in slightly different ways and are better suited for different applications.

Pure Water-Jet Cutting:

Pure water-jet cutting uses only a high-pressure water stream to cut through the material and separate it from its components. The water stream’s volume impacts the kerf size, which is a barely invasive procedure. Pure water-jet cutting generates less heat and is safe to use on delicate materials

Over the past ten years, pure water-jet cutting, a more recent technology variation, has grown in popularity. Instead of including abrasives like garnets or other sorts of abrasives, this technology cuts using only pure water. Flexible components and thin sheets, such as foam, rubber, etc., can be cut using a pure water jet.

Abrasive Water-Jet Cutting:

Abrasive waterjet cutters use abrasive particles to cut materials such as hard metals. When these particles are injected into pressurized water at high speed, they break into smaller particles. These microparticles have larger contact areas than larger particles, allowing them to penetrate deeper into surfaces.

A mixing chamber inside the cutting head mixes an abrasive substance (often garnet) with the water stream to enable abrasive cutting. The tool can cut through much tougher materials because of the abrasive’s addition to the water stream. It works particularly effectively with dense or tough materials, such as many kinds of metals, stone, glass, etc.

Comparison Of Cutting Results

Both technologies have their strengths and weaknesses. No single technology can be used as a all-in-one solution. It is important to understand the cutting results of each technology in order to select the right one for a particular application.

Advantages Of Abrasive Water-Jet Cutting: 

• It can achieve fairly high precision and accuracy when cutting.

• It can easily cut hard materials like metals, glass and stones.

• Abrasive water jet has a high cutting speed, so it cuts the material faster.

• Multiple sheets of material can be stacked on top of each other for simultaneous cutting.

• Both the abrasive and the water can be recycled with an appropriate system in place.

Limitations Of Abrasive Water-Jet Cutting:

• It is not as cheap as the pure water-jet cutting technique because of abrasive part.

• The parts in abrasive water-jet experiences higher wear and tear due to the additional stress the abrasive substance brings. Over time, this may result in the need for more regular maintenance and part replacement.

• Abrasive waterjet cutting is considered a less environmentally friendly process than pure waterjet cutting.

Advantages Of Pure Water-Jet Cutting:

• Waterjet cutting is cheaper because no abrasive materials are used.

• Abrasive mixing is not necessary for pure water jet cutting. As a result, it is a safer and more eco-friendly process.

• As there are no abrasives, the machine experiences less wear and tear compared to abrasive waterjet cutting.

• Pure water jet cutting can cut any soft, light, thin or delicate material without warping or damage.

Limitations Of Pure Water-Jet Cutting:

• The only power source for a pure water jet is the water itself. As a result, this method’s cutting speed and power is less than abrasive water-jet cutting.

• Due to the exceedingly slow cutting rate, pure water jet cutting is no longer practical when cutting hard materials. As a result, this technique is only applicable to soft materials.

Difference Between Pure Water Jet Cutting Vs Abrasive Water Jet Cutting

• Process: Abrasive like Garnet is utilized as an abrasive ingredient during the abrasive water-jet cutting method. Pressurized water flow and abrasive material produces a strong jet that will slice through any substrate. Pure water jet cutting uses no abrasives. It depends entirely on the strength and pressure of the high-velocity water flow.

• Material: Materials also distinguish pure water-jet cutting from abrasive cutting. Diverse materials can be sliced using abrasive water jets. Before employing pure water jets, ensure they are compatible with the materials you intend to use them on.

• Precisão: Hard materials like titanium and stainless steel can be sliced through it without suffering any damage. Even when handling big portions of material at fast speeds, the high pressure needed for this procedure aids in producing very precise cuts.

Comparison Of Application Fields

Applications Of Pure Water-Jet Cutter:

• Food Industry: Pure water-jet cutter can cut frozen food with only water. However, it is safe to operate on large-scale production as well.

• Fabric: A pure water-jet cutter is highly needed in manufacturing clothes as it cuts the fabric neatly in industries to be processed.

• Foam Organizer: It is used to cut foams in various shapes for different boards. If an abrasive water-jet cutter is used, it will gradually melt the foam. 

Examples Of Advantages Of Pure Water-Jet Cutting:

• Pure water-jet cutting makes work in industries a lot easier by cutting the materials that are often destroyed by using heat against them, like foam. 

• If heat is applied to frozen food, it might cook it up or at least won’t leave it clean and hygienic. As huge pressure is used in pure water-jet cutting, it is also safe to use on food.

Applications Of Abrasive Water-Jet Cutting:

• Thick Metals: Abrasive water-jet cutters are sharp enough to cut denser metals like steel and copper.

• Granite: Easily can cut multiple sheets of granite and stones for different purposes.

• Glass: Slicing non-tempered glass for use in aircraft interiors or any other purpose.

Examples Of Advantages Of Abrasive Water-Jet Cutting:

• It can neatly cut large stones and dense materials very precisely and fast as well.

• As the cutting speed is faster, it will save time if needed on an industrial scale. 

Comparison of the Applicability, Advantages, and Disadvantages

In abrasive water-jet cutting, the sharp razor is kept lubricated by a combined mixture of water and a crushed abrasive. This combination of abrasive removes the substance from the outside as the jet of water slices through it, leaving behind a flawless finish.

This method doesn’t work for rubber, plastic, rubber-like substances, and foam; however,  it effectively works for metals and other denser materials. 

There is absolutely zero abrasive mixture used in the process of pure water-jet cutting. However, pure water under pressure passes from a nozzle, using only sheer power to cut through your material.

Because it doesn’t typically melt plastics and soft materials, instead it slices through them. This procedure doesn’t function well with metals or other hard materials.

Cost Analysis:

Manufacturers needs to consider the cost before determining whether water-jet cutting is the best option for them. Considering the pure water jet cutting vs abrasive waterjet operating costs will ensure certainty regarding your ability to pay for this fabricating technique.

Pure Water-jet Cutting:

1. Water Consumption: Water plays an important part when discussing the cost of pure water jet cutting machines. 

2. Electricity Consumption: Besides water, the rate of electricity is also a major part that should be considered in pure water-jet cutting total cost. 

3. Machinery parts: Machine parts like nozzle and  seal of pumps might wear out often when using water-jet cutting.

Abrasive Water-jet Cutting:

1. Cost of Abrasive: Abrasive cost is the most important factor in the hourly cost of abrasive waterjet cutting. Garnet is the most commonly used abrasive, and costs about 22-30 cents per pound.

2. Flow Rate:  Garnet or abrasive flow rate is needed when calculating the costs of a abrasive water-jet cutting system. This determines how much abrasive is used per minute.

3. Cutting Duration: The longer it takes to cut a material, the more expensive it will be. This is because the abrasive consumed out over time, and the machine also consumes more electricity.

Conclusion:

The use of both abrasive and clean water-jet cutting equipment has advantages. As a result, the appropriate machine should be selected based on your needs. 

Both of these technologies are novel solution that performs admirably. However, it is critical to invest in right equipment to get the best performance from any water jet device.

Our waterjet experts at IVYCNC are here to assist you with all your waterjet machine sourcing needs. Contact us to find the best machine for your specific needs.