Precision and innovation are key factors driving the food industry forward. Waterjet cutting is one of the most fascinating techniques that has revolutionized the way food is cut and prepared.

In this article, we will delve into the art of waterjet food cutting, exploring its precision and innovative applications in food cutting.

Can A Waterjet Cut Food?

Yes, a water jet can cut food. Pure waterjet cutting offers several advantages over other cutting methods, including enhanced productivity and adherence to USDA hygiene standards.

Initially developed for cutting and portioning food, waterjet technology has evolved to handle various applications.

How Does Waterjet Cutting Food Work?

In the food industry, pure waterjet cutting is the method of choice. Unlike abrasive waterjet cutting, which uses abrasives, pure waterjet cutting relies solely on a high-pressure water stream. However, it is essential to note that pure waterjet cutting is primarily used for cutting soft materials due to its slower cutting rates for hard materials.

The process is simple: the high-pressure water stream is directed at the material, cutting through it and separating it from its components. The thickness of the water stream determines the width of the cut, making it a minimally invasive procedure.

What Types Of Food Can A Waterjet Cut?

Water jet cuts are helpful in a number of ways in the industrial food preparation industry. Still, they can be put into three groups:

Ready food portioning: Water jet cutters are utilized in bakeries and other ready food sectors to precisely portion pizzas, pastries, sandwiches, cheese, cakes, cereal bars, and chocolates.

Cutting Frozen Food: A water jet is often employed to cut meat, chicken, bacon, or fish. It is also used to thinly slice foods like French fries, making it a versatile tool for preparing frozen food.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetables: Waterjet cutting can cut fruits and vegetables like romaine lettuce, asparagus, celery, and green beans into different lengths or tips.

Applications Of Waterjet Food Cutting

With its precise and efficient cutting capabilities, waterjet cutting has found various applications in the food industry. The following are some of the main areas where waterjet cutting is being used in food production and processing:

Food Production

Waterjet technology is widely used in food preparation processes such as shaping, portioning, and baking various baked products and snacks. This includes cake, chocolates, biscuits, granola bars, as well as dried fruits.

Food Processing

Waterjet cutting is employed in food processing to cut meat, fish, and poultry efficiently. It also aids in portioning various frozen foods, making the process more precise and effective.

Food-related Apparatus

Waterjet cutting is utilized to separate aluminum foil from other thin packaging materials, ensuring the production of high-quality food-related apparatus.

Food-Handling Machinery

Waterjet technology plays a crucial role in the production of machinery used for filling liquids and packaging goods in industrial processes. It enhances efficiency and accuracy in handling food products.

Advantages Of Waterjet Food Cutting

Waterjet cutting offers a range of advantages that make it an ideal solution for cutting food products. Here are the advantages of waterjet food cutting:

Cut to Any Size and Shape

Waterjet cutting utilizes a combination of high-pressure water and abrasion to produce a needle-sharp cutting stream. This allows it to cut almost any form, size, and thickness.

The waterjet cutting technique can handle whether you need to cut small or large-scale food products. The only exceptions are foods that require bonding, such as rubber-lined wear plates and aluminum composite panels.

Uniformly Smooth Edge Quality

One of the most important justifications for using waterjet cutting in the food industry is its superior edge quality. Waterjet equipment creates an edge that is uniformly smooth and devoid of burrs. This eliminates the need for additional finishing, improving productivity and saving time.

Greater Product Control

The need for greater product control is a growing trend in the food business, and waterjet cutting meets this demand. With the ability to cut arbitrary shapes and sizes, waterjet cutting technology allows food industry professionals to control their products precisely.

A waterjet cutting nozzle mounted on a servo drive and a vision system enables precise food product cutting. This ensures accuracy and saves money by eliminating the need to change the blade between different products physically.

Exact Cut-outs and Few Kerfs

For precision cut-outs, waterjet cutting is the method of choice. The cutting precision of waterjet technology can range from 0.038 to 0.2mm, depending on the machine. This level of precision makes waterjet cutting perfect for projects requiring high tolerances and intricate designs on food products.

In addition, waterjet cutting technology allows for minimal kerfs. The “Cut” width for common food-cutting applications can range from 0.004 inches to 0.009 inches. With a waterjet machine, there is no waste since the smallest kerf is comparable in viscosity to a typical human hair, providing detailed cutting as needed.

Effective and Economical Technology

One of the main advantages of waterjet cutting in the food sector is that it is a highly effective and affordable technology. There is no need to spend a lot of money to cut down on food products when waterjet cutting offers a perfect tool for the job.

It is a low-cost alternative for cutting materials with minimal deformation and no heat-affected zones, providing superior efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

A Perfect Sanitary Procedure

In today’s world, hygiene is more important than ever, especially in the food industry. Waterjet cutting offers a perfect sanitary procedure, ensuring zero cross-contamination during the cutting process. This method is USDA-approved and is considered one of the most hygienic cutting techniques available.

Waterjet cutting can handle a wide range of food items, from candy bars to meats, fish, sweets, poultry, frozen items, and more. With waterjet cutting, there is no contact or guidance from baked food goods, ensuring a clean, bacteria-free product.

Environmentally Neutral System

Waterjet cutting is an environmentally friendly technique. It uses water in the cutting process, making it safe for the environment without the need for lubricants or cooling oils.

The material being cut breaks up into small, dust-like pieces, resulting in minimal waste that needs to be disposed of. This makes waterjet cutting an ecologically neutral system.

Tips And Precautions For Waterjet Food Cutting

Waterjet cutting is an industrial cutting device that requires the same safety measures as other industrial equipment. Following the advice provided below will ensure your safety during the cutting process.

Adequate Equipment

When cutting with a water jet, it is essential to use high-quality equipment. Even when all safety measures are taken, using a low-quality machine can result in accidents. Additionally, investing in high-quality equipment can result in financial savings over time.

Firm Policies

If you operate equipment or are employed by a company, make sure it has a sound safety policy in place that has been approved by Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations.

Instruction Manual

Each waterjet cutter is unique and has its own set of safety measures. For example, one waterjet cutter’s safety PPE equipment may operate differently from another’s. Therefore, thoroughly read the user manual before using the waterjet cutter for the first time.

Avoid Operating While Intoxicated

Under no circumstances should you operate a waterjet cutter or any other piece of heavy industrial machinery while intoxicated. Or under the influence of any narcotics, including sedatives.

Safety Equipment

Compared to other industrial operations, waterjet cutting requires specialized safety equipment. Make sure you are wearing hydro jet cutting safety pressure protection gear.

• Glasses: Safety eyewear is crucial for preventing eye damage. Make sure your safety glasses have received ISO approval.
• Gloves: There are several varieties of safety gloves available. Wear Kevlar-reinforced cut-resistant safety gloves from the Waterjet Technology Association for suitable protection.
• Ear Protection: Wearing appropriate ear protection is important to avoid causing ear damage.
• Additional Protection: Helmets, knee and shin guards, and other protection are also available. Be careful to avoid the waterjet stream at all times, even with extra protection.

Conclusion

The technical features of waterjet cutting technology offer many advantages in the food industry. Precise cut-outs, low kerfs, cost-effective technology, the ability to cut in any form or size, increased control over the product, an ecologically friendly system, and an optimum hygienic procedure are all benefits of using waterjet cutting in the food industry.

The presence of waterjet cutting equipment is essential for the food business. Applying waterjet cutting technology guarantees a sterile and clean atmosphere, ensuring that food products are prepared safely and hygienically.

If you need the best quality waterjet food cutter, contact us today!

FAQs for Waterjet Food Cutting

Can Waterjet Cut Human Skin?

Yes, a waterjet machine has the potential to harm or cut human skin seriously. Even when the machine is off, a waterjet cutter may still cut your hand due to the machine’s slats and pinch points.

Can A Waterjet Cut Bone?

Waterjet technology can also cut biomaterials like bone and bone cement, especially when using the abrasive approach. The quality of the cut is improved for both materials when using an abrasive. The jet’s diameter is a huge asset when operating in the small space at the prosthesis interface.

What Cannot Be Cut By Waterjet?

While waterjet can cut a wide variety of materials, including stone, glass, wood, and various metals, there are some materials that it cannot cut. For example, diamonds and tempered glass are some of the materials that a waterjet cannot cut. It is important to always use caution and follow safety procedures when operating a waterjet machine to avoid injury.