A water jet is a cutting tool that uses a high-pressure stream of water mixed with abrasive particles to cut through various materials – from metal and plastic to rubber, and foam. Water jet cutting machines are widely applied in industrial fields, such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, medical, and more.

Water jet cutting machines can cut heat-sensitive, brittle, or layered materials without damaging or distorting them. They can handle it no matter if you need to cut titanium for aerospace applications, carbon fiber for automotive parts, or glass for architectural projects.

This article will explore the factors affecting the waterjet cutting thickness and the maximum material thickness a water jet cutting machine can cut. We will also discuss the advantages and limitations of water jet cutting for different materials and applications.

Factors Affecting The Cutting Thickness Of Water Jet Cutting Machines 

Some of the factors that affect the cutting thickness of water jet cutting machines are:

• Material Hardness: Hardness is the resistance of a material to deformation or penetration by another material. 

• Water Pressure: Water pressure is the force that drives the water jet through the nozzle and the material.

• Nozzle Diameter: Nozzle diameter is the opening size that allows the water jet to exit the machine.

• Abrasive Type And Size: The abrasive type and size affect the water jet’s cutting speed, quality, and thickness.

• Stand-off Distance: The distance between the nozzle tip and the material surface. 

Influence Of Material Properties On Cutting Thickness

The material properties that influence the cutting thickness of water jet cutting machines are:

➣ Hardness

Harder materials require more abrasive and pressure to cut than softer materials and tend to have lower cutting speeds and higher taper and kerf width.

➣ Density:

A material’s density is its mass per unit volume. Denser materials have more mass and resistance to the water jet than less dense materials, requiring more abrasive and pressure to cut.

➣ Toughness:

A material’s toughness refers to its ability to absorb energy and resist fracture or failure. Tougher materials can withstand more impact and deformation from the water jet than less rigid materials, requiring more abrasive and pressure to cut.

Influence Of Cutting Speed And Nozzle Diameter On Cutting Thickness 

The cutting speed and nozzle diameter are two factors that affect the cutting thickness of water jet cutting machines. They are related as follows:

• Cutting speed: Cutting speed is the rate at which the water jet moves along the material surface. Higher cutting speed can reduce the cutting time, running cost, quality, and thickness.

• Nozzle diameter: Larger nozzle diameters can produce wider and faster water jets and consume more abrasive water. Smaller nozzle diameters can produce narrower and slower water jets but consume less abrasive water.

Influence Of Water Pressure and Water Jet’s  Flow Rate On The Cut Thickness 

There are two factors affecting the cutting thickness of water jet cutting machines. They are related as follows:

• Water Pressure: Higher water pressure can increase the cutting speed and thickness of the water jet and the wear and tear of the pump and nozzle. Lower water pressure can decrease the cutting speed and thickness of the water jet and the machine’s maintenance cost.

• Flow Rate: A higher flow rate can increase the cutting speed and thickness of the water jet but also consume more water and is abrasive.

A lower flow rate can decrease the cutting speed and thickness of the water jet and consume less water and be abrasive.

Influence Of Auxiliary Materials And Technology On Cutting Thickness 

The auxiliary materials and technology are two factors affecting the cutting thickness of water jet cutting machines. They are related as follows:

Auxiliary Materials: Auxiliary materials are substances added to the water jet to enhance its cutting performance. The most common auxiliary material is abrasive.

Larger abrasive particles can often cut faster and deeper, but produce more taper and rougher edges. The most common abrasive is garnet, which has different grit sizes ranging from 50 to 220 mesh.

Technology: It refers to the methods and devices that are used to improve the water jet-cutting process. Some of the technologies that affect the cutting thickness of water jet cutting machines are:

• Dynamic Waterjet: Dynamic waterjet is a technology that uses a tilting head to adjust the water jet’s angle according to the travel direction. This reduces the taper and improves the accuracy and quality of the cut.

• Ultra-high Pressure: Ultra-high pressure is a technology that increases water pressure beyond the conventional range of 30,000 PSI to 90,000 psi. Higher water pressure can increase the cutting speed and thickness of the water jet and the wear and tear of the pump and nozzle.

• Water Recycling: Water recycling is a technology that reuses the water drained from the cutting tank. This reduces the water consumption, disposal cost, and environmental impact of water jet cutting.

Maximum Cutting Thickness Of Water Jet Cutting Machines 

The maximum cutting thickness of water jet cutting machines depends on the material and the cutting method. Generally, water jet cutting machines can cut through 12 inches (30 cm) of most materials, such as steel, glass, stone, and wood. However, some materials and methods can allow for thicker or thinner cuts.

Suitability Of Waterjet Cutting Machines For Different Materials And Thicknesses

There are two main types of waterjet cutting methods:

Pure Waterjet Cutting: It uses only water to cut through soft materials, such as foam, rubber, paper, and plastic, up to several feet.

Abrasive Waterjet Cutting: It uses water mixed with abrasive particles to enhance the cutting power and cut through hard materials, such as metal, glass, stone, and ceramic. It can cut through 6 to 18 inches of hard materials, depending on the type and density of the material.

• The suitability of waterjet cutting machines for different materials and thicknesses also depends on the cutting parameters, such as water pressure, flow rate, abrasive type and size, nozzle diameter, and stand-off distance.

• The desired cut quality is another factor that influences the suitability of waterjet cutting machines for different materials and thicknesses. Cut quality refers to the cut edge’s smoothness, accuracy, taper, and kerf width.

Advantages Of Using A Water Jet Cutter To Cut Thick Materials 

Some of the advantages of using a water jet cutter to cut thick materials are:

• No Thermal Effect

Waterjet cutting machines avoid thermal effects by using a cold-cutting process that uses only water or water mixed with abrasive particles.

Waterjet cutting machines do not generate any heat or sparks.
Waterjet cutting machines can avoid any mechanical damage or deformation.

• High Accuracy

Waterjet cutting machines can achieve high accuracy and precision by using a high-pressure stream of water that can cut through almost any material and thickness with minimal material waste and high efficiency.

Waterjet cutting machines can also use a vision system and a CNC controller to adjust the angle and direction of the water jet according to the digital design.

• High-Quality Cuts

Water jet cutting can produce smooth, satin, and precise edges with minimal taper and kerf width.

• Versatile Cutting

Water jet cutting can also cut complex and custom shapes and materials that are difficult or impossible to cut with other methods, such as titanium, carbon fiber, laminated glass, and bulletproof glass.

• Eco-friendly Cutting

Water jet cutting does not create any hazardous waste or toxic emissions.

Comparison Of Waterjet Cutting Thickness With Other Cutting Processes 

Waterjet cutting thickness can be compared with other cutting processes regarding material type, hardness, cut quality, cut speed, and cut cost. A comparison of waterjet cutting thickness with other cutting processes is as follows:

• Water Jet VS Laser Cutting

Water jet cutting can cut thicker materials than laser cutting, up to 24 inches for virtually any material, while laser cutting can generally cut up to 1 inch for non-reflective metals.

Water jet cutting can also cut a wider range of materials than laser cutting, including reflective, heat-resistant, and non-metallic materials.

• Water Jet VS EDM Cutting

Water jet cutting can cut faster than EDM cutting when the material is under 1 inch thick. In contrast, EDM cutting can cut more accurately than water jet cutting when the material is over 12 inches thick.

Water jet cutting can also cut a broader range of materials than EDM cutting, including non-conductive materials.

Water jet cutting can produce smooth, satin and precise edges with minimal taper and kerf width, while EDM cutting may create a shallow HAZ on the material surface.

• Water Jet VS Plasma Cutting

Water jet cutting can cut thicker materials than plasma cutting, up to 24 inches for virtually any material. In comparison, plasma cutting can cut up to 2-3 inches for primary steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. 

Water jet cutting can produce smooth, satin, and precise edges, with minimal taper and kerf width, while plasma cutting may create slag or dross that require secondary processing or finishing.

Conclusion 

To sum up, waterjet cutting machines offer exceptional versatility and precision in cutting various materials and thicknesses.

With minimal waste and eco-friendly solutions, their cutting thickness capability is a critical advantage. These machines are the ultimate choice for industries seeking high-quality, versatile cutting solutions.