Water Jet and

Abrasive Waterjet

Cutting

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Content

• Introduction

• Manufacturing Process

• Machining

• Machining Types

• Non Traditional Machining

• Classification

• Water Jet cutting

• Abrasive Water Jet Cutting

• Advantages & Disadvantages

• Applications

• Conclusion

Introduction

It is now well established that conventional

machining methods are unable to meet the

challenges posed by the demand for

economic machining of ultra hard and high

strength materials to close tolerances.

Manufacturing Processes

primary processes

secondary processes

1

2

Machining

Machining is a broad term to describe

removal of material from a workpiece.

• Marching processes divided into two

groups

2.1 Traditional Machining Processes

2.2 Non-Traditional Machining Processes

2.1 Traditional Machining Processes

Definition:

Processes mostly remove material in the

form of chips by applying forces on the

work material

2.2 Non-Traditional Machining Processes

Definition:

a group of processes that remove material

without using the conventional tools

• Developed since World War II

Why Nontraditional Machining?

• high hardness and strength material.

• The work piece is too flexible

• The shape of the part is complex

• better surface finish or

• Temperature rise

Classification

Nontraditional Machining

a

Mechanical

b

Electrical

c

Thermal

d

Chemical

Type of energy required

Water Jet Cutting

Water Jet Cutting

(WJC) uses a fine,

high-pressure, high

velocity (faster than

speed of sound)

stream of water

directed at the work

surface to cause

slotting of the

material:

• no need for predrilled holes, no

heat, no workpiece deflection

• Very thin stream (0.18 to 0.4 mm

dia)

• Very little material loss due to

cutting

• Water inlet pressure between

20k-60k psi

• Uses a high velocity

• Not limited to machining – food

industry applications

Abrasive Water-Jet Cutting

Used to cut much harder

materials (metals & granite).

Water is not used directly to

cut material as in Pure,

instead water is used to

accelerate abrasive particles

which do the cutting.

Advantages

• No heat, no thermal stress, no damage.

• Does not leave a rough edge.

• Very little material is wasted (narrow cut slit).

• AJM is normally used as a finishing process

• Make all sorts of shapes with only one tool.

• Water is cheap, non-toxic & no environmental

pollution.

Disadvantages

• Limited materials to be cut.(WJM)

• No recycling of abrasives; abrasive grains are

fractured, worn and contaminated.(AWJM)

• Very thick parts cannot be cut.

• The kerf width in water jet cutting is very small

(Taper).

Applications

• Printed circuit boards

• Food preparation

• Cleaning Applications

• Highly used in aerospace (titanium

bodies), automotive (engine parts) and

electronics industries.

Water jet and Abrasive Water jet cutting

Laser Cutting

Plasma CuttingAbrasive Water jet cutting

Abrasive Water jet cutting

Conclusion

• 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

Q&A