WATER

JET
MACHINING
P SHARATH CHANDRA
143511

Evolution of Waterjet :
1930s: Mining Industry to remove stones and coal
1960s : Need to cut advanced materials for
aerospace industry
1970s : First attempts were to employ WaterJet to
cut advanced composites for aerospace
applications.
1980s: First commercial AWJ machines
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Introduction to Water jet

It is the fastest growing machining process.
One of the most versatile machining
processes.
True cold cutting process mechanical
stresses or operator and environmental
hazards.
Not limited to machining but also used in
food industry applications.
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PRINCIPLE OF WORKING

Fig. Structure of a water jet machining.

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TYPES OF WATER JET CUTTING

Water jet cut
Abrasive jet cut

Water jet :
Water jets are used for cutting soft
materials
Water Jet Machinable Materials
Like Soft rubber, foam, tin foil,
carpet, soft gasket material
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Abrasive water jet

Abrasive water jets for hard materials
An abrasive element is added to the water
beam to assist cutting
Abrasive Water Jet Machinable materials:
Titanium, aluminum, stone,
hard rubber,
hardened tool steel

Components
Water filters
Water chiller
Intensifier
Cutting table or bed
X/Y carriage
attenuator
Catch tank & Abrasive removal system
Control panel
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Materials:
The list of materials that a Water jet system could
penetrate is significant

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Ceramic Tile,Wood, Rubber, Glass, Marble and

Granite
,Foam,GIOPhenolic,Steel,Armor
plating,Urethane, Titanium , Kevlar, Aluminum , Brass ,
Copper, Stainless Steel ,
Spectra,
Fiberglass ,
Corrugated Cardboard , Acrylic .

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Surface Characteristics Variables of Cuts

Water jet Pressure
Water jet Diameter
Abrasive Material Type
Abrasive Material Size
Abrasive Material Flow Rate
Traverse Speed
The Cutting Angle
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Advantages:
No heat affected zone
Stress-free cutting No
residual stresses

Faster than any other

technique
Saves Raw Material

Wide range of materials

Environmentally friendly
No need for surface finish

Does Not Need a Starting

Hole
Ability to Cut in Any
Direction

No tool changing
Minimal Fixturing Required
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Disadvantages:
Limited number of materials can be cut economically
Very thick parts can not be cut with Water Jet
Slower cutting rate compared to both plasma and
oxyfuel cutting processes
Higher entry cost

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Comparison to other Methods

WaterJet v/s Wire EDM
Can Cut through any
material
No Need for a
Starting Hole
No Heat Affected
Zone

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Limited to
Conducting
Materials
A Starting Hole is
Needed for the Wire
Heat Affected Zone

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WaterJet

Laser

No Heat Affected Zone

Minimal Heat Affected Zone

Can Cut Through Reflective

Materials

Reflects on Shiny Surfaces

Can Cut Uneven Surfaces

Smoothly

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v/s

Laser Defracts and Looses

its Focus

Environmentally friendly

Produces Toxic Fumes

Can Cut Up to 12 in hard

materials (Ti, SS)& 24 in
Rubber

Max. Depth 0.5 0.75

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Deciding which metal Cutting System is

Best?
Variables to be considered when making a
decision on the right cutting system to use :
Cutting speed
Edge cleanliness
Degree of tolerance required
Number and types of metal to be cut
Capital investment
Operating costs
Size of heat affected zone
Access to secondary machining processes

Applications

Aerospac
e

Automoti
ve

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Food
Processing

Marble IndustryConcrete Electronics

and PCBs

Polymers and
Composites
Steels With

CeramicsSteel gear and

Different
Thickness
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rack cut

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Conclusion:
It is relatively a new technology which has caught on
quickly and is replacing century-old methods used for
manufacturing
Used not only in typical machining applications, but food
and soft-goods industries
As material and pump technology advances faster cutting
rates, longer component life and tighter tolerances will be
achievable
Paves the way for new machining processes that embrace
simplicity and have a small environmental impact
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