OVERVIEW OF CNC WATERJET CUTTING

In the context of rapid technological development and increasingly high production requirements, the search for new, efficient and economical processing methods has become extremely important. Among them, waterjet cutting technology has emerged as an impressive solution, increasingly widely applied in many manufacturing fields. With the ability to cut precisely, not cause thermal effects on materials and the ability to process a variety of materials, this technology is becoming the first choice for many businesses. This article will provide you with an overview of waterjet cutting technology – one of the most advanced processing technologies today, along with its outstanding applications and advantages.

1. What is Water Jet Cutting?

Waterjet cutting, also known as water plasma cutting, is a modern metal cutting method that uses a jet of super-pressurized water to cut through materials. The outstanding feature of this technology is that when water is combined with a cutting agent such as sand or minerals, it creates an extremely powerful water stream capable of cutting through many types of metal materials with high precision.

Waterjet cutting is not only used in the manufacturing industry, but also has a wide range of applications in other fields such as art, architecture, and shipbuilding. With the ability to cut through a variety of materials and create complex shapes, this technology is receiving great attention from designers and engineers.

With the rapid development of technology, waterjet cutting is expected to continue to improve in performance and efficiency. Current research is looking for ways to reduce operating costs and improve cutting capabilities, opening up new opportunities for the technology to be applied in a variety of fields. The combination of advanced technology and sustainability also makes waterjet cutting an ideal choice for businesses looking for environmentally friendly machining solutions.

2. Operating Principle

Waterjet cutting works by using a high-pressure stream of water, often exceeding 60,000 psi, to create a powerful jet of water capable of cutting through a variety of materials. The process is not simply a matter of spraying water at high pressure, but also incorporates other sophisticated technical factors to optimize cutting efficiency.

Waterjet cutting technology has been continuously improved with the development of automated control systems and CAD/CAM design software. These technologies allow for precise programming of complex cutting paths, saving time and resources during the production process. Modern control systems also allow users to flexibly adjust the pressure, speed and direction of the water jet, depending on the type of material and specific cutting requirements.

One of the biggest benefits of waterjet cutting is the ability to cut without generating high temperatures, which helps avoid problems such as warping or changing the structure of the material. This is especially important in applications that require high precision and material integrity.

In addition, using water as a cutting medium also creates less dust and waste than other cutting methods, contributing to environmental protection and improving labor safety during the production process.

3. Processing Process

• High Pressure Water Generation: Water is fed into a high pressure pump, often up to tens of thousands of psi (pound-force per square inch), to create a super-pressurized water stream.
• Adding Cutting Agent: Cutting agents such as sand or minerals are added to water to enhance cutting ability.
• Water Jet Direction: Water is passed through a small tube to create a powerful jet of water. This jet of water is then directed to the metal material to be cut.
• Material Cutting: High pressure water jets, often assisted by cutting fluid, can cut through metal materials of varying thickness and hardness.

4. Benefits of Water Jet Cutting

• High Precision: This method is capable of producing very precise and sharp cutting edges, especially in the production of intricate parts.
• Versatile: Waterjet cutting can be applied to a wide variety of materials, from metals to ceramics and stone.
• No High Temperature Generation: Compared to many other cutting methods, waterjet cutting does not generate high temperatures, which reduces the risk of deformation and structural changes in the material.
• Diverse Material Cutting Capabilities: Waterjet cutting can cut through a wide variety of materials, from common metals to special materials such as ceramics or composites.
• Environmentally Friendly: No use of toxic chemical cutting agents, reducing environmental impact.
• Efficient and Cost-effective: This method helps to reduce waste and speed up the production process, thereby reducing production costs.

5. Popular Applications

• Mechanical Engineering: Metalworking to create precision parts in the mechanical engineering industry.
• Art and Decoration: Used to cut and create metal art and decoration products.
• Construction Industry: Creating metal parts and details in construction and architecture.
• Shipbuilding Industry: Application in cutting metal parts during shipbuilding.
• Ceramic Industry: Waterjet cutting is also used in the production and processing of ceramics.

Waterjet cutting is not only a modern metalworking method but also stands out for its precision, versatility and sustainability. The combination of water and cutting fluid creates an advanced cutting technology that meets the diverse needs of many industries and brings many benefits to manufacturing as well as the environment.