Water jet cutting is not new to the machine tool
industry. It has been around since about 1970.
With recent changes in technology, it is gaining
in popularity. Water cutting is accomplished
by forcing water at very high pressure (20,000
to 60,000 psi) through a small diameter orifice
to produce a very high pressure water column.
Abrasive jet cutting is similar but not the
same as water jet cutting.
Waterjet cutting is used to cut a variety of
thin or soft materials. These include soft rubber,
foam, aluminum foil, carpet, paper and cardboard,
soft gasket material, candy bars, diapers and
soft or thin wood.
Waterjet wood cutting has become popular in the
past decade. One of the reasons for the growing
popularity of this tool is that a waterjet
never dulls, nor does it create dust, noxious
odors or generate excessive heat. Waterjets
and abrasive water jets have been used to wooden
signs, wood sculptures and saw logs.
Modern waterjet machinery is computer controlled
and can be incredibly precise. The water pressure
from some of these machines reaches 50,000 psi
and can cut within two thousands of an inch.
The water leaves the nozzle of these machines
at speeds of more than 900 mph.
Waterjets
were first developed for mining nearly 175
years ago. It is only in recent years that
they have become practical for industrial useage.
Today, water jet cutting is used for stone cutting
and cutting steel, plastic, wood, stainless steel
and even diapers and candy bars.
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