Today, industrial waterjet cutting has become a technology for cutting materials of different hardnesses. In addition to being extremely efficient, the waterjet-cutting process has many benefits that have led to its widespread use. 6 benefits of the waterjet-cutting process are shared below.
1. Better edge quality
The industrial waterjet cutting process results in smooth, uniform cut edges with no burrs when used. This means that, unlike many other finishing processes, you don't need a secondary process to complement the quality of the waterjet cutting process. This simplifies the entire process for manufacturers. In addition, you can precisely cut different shapes, even 3D materials, which is often a challenge for many other cutting processes. This is because the quality of the resulting edges is often substandard in complex materials.
2. Improve operational efficiency
In terms of efficiency, few processes in the industry come close to waterjet cutting. First, because no additional machining is required, you can save valuable time and complete the cutting process quickly. With waterjet technology, you can cut material relatively quickly and do so without having to worry about the condition of the material afterward.
3. Suitable for a wide range of materials
Versatility is one of the biggest selling points of waterjet technology because fewer cutting processes apply to a variety of materials of different hardnesses. With waterjet cutting, you can cut materials up to 200 mm thick or as thin as paper. What's more, as long as you use the right waterjet cutting technique and handle the process professionally, you won't have to worry about distortion during the cutting process.
4. No need for tool changes
When working with a pure waterjet cutter, if you need to cut something very thick, you only need to install a mixing chamber on the nozzle to get abrasive cutting. You don't need to spend money on additional cutters. Also, for smaller thickness changes, you don't need another cutting technique. Because you can change the feed rate of the cutter to meet the various speed requirements needed to cut the material.
5. No heat-affected zone
Before the waterjet cutting process, heat distortion was one of the most significant problems in the cutting industry. This occurred because many industrial cutting processes generate heat during operation. Over time, this can lead to warping, molecular deformation, or inaccuracy of the material.
In addition to potentially damaging the material, the heat can pose a health hazard to the operator due to burns. Industrial water jet cutting, however, is a non-thermal process. It does not generate heat, making it suitable for heat-sensitive materials.
6. Environmentally friendly
Waterjet technology involves the use of highly pressurized water for cutting. No chemicals are added during the cutting process, eliminating the risk of hazardous materials being generated during and after the cut. There is also no dust generation, making it safe for the operator.
Industrial Applications of Waterjet Cutting
This cold-cutting process has applications in many industries. Below, we will examine the main applications of the process and the industries where it is used.
Product Manufacturing
Industries related to the manufacturing of different products often require the use of waterjet cutting because of the high level of functionality and quality they require. These industries often require precise cutting of material components. They include the aerospace, transportation, defense, construction, and automotive industries.
Subcontractors
Waterjet cutting machines are a staple in many subcontractor shops because of their ability to efficiently handle specific cutting needs. Industries that use this method include the electrical, electronics, medical, and engineering industries.
Material Processing
This is usually at an earlier stage than the other applications in this section. Here, raw material processing requires waterjet cutting. Manufacturers value efficiency and effectiveness in this area, making waterjet technology the industry standard. Industries that process metals, rock, glass, plastics, and rubber often rely on this cutting process.
