Waterjet
Uhde High Pressure Technologies
Uhde High Pressure Technologies
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How does waterjet cutting work?
An ultra-high-pressure pump pressurizes water up to 6,000 bar and forces it through a gemstone orifice. This creates a water jet reaching speeds of up to 1,200 m/s. For abrasive cutting, the jet is mixed with garnet sand in the cutting head and focused through a mixing tube. Material removal occurs purely mechanically—without heat. In industrial applications, 4,000 bar has proven to be the optimal balance between cutting performance, energy efficiency, and component lifespan, while 6,000 bar systems are available for specialized applications.
Pure water or abrasive cutting?
What's the difference?
In induIn industrial applications, two main types of waterjet technology are commonly used: pure water cutting and abrasive cutting.
Our answers to frequently asked questions
An ultra-high-pressure pump generates a water jet with a pressure of up to 6,000 bar. This water jet is directed through a diamond or sapphire nozzle and mixed with garnet sand. The resulting abrasive water jet can cut through virtually any material. A CNC machine guides the jet through the workpiece.
A waterjet cutting machine can cut virtually any material. In industrial applications, it is used to cut all types of steel and alloys, all non-ferrous metals, granite, ceramics, glass, and plastics. A pure waterjet can also be used to cut fabrics, leather, rubber, and all types of gaskets.
In principle, it is also possible to cut materials up to 500 mm thick. However, the thicker the material, the longer the cutting time. Steel up to about 80 mm and aluminum up to about 120 mm can be cut effectively. Granite up to 100 mm and ceramic up to about 30 mm.
A pure waterjet is used to cut soft materials such as rubber, leather, and carpets. An abrasive waterjet can cut almost any material. In practice, it is primarily used to cut steel, stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, tiles, kitchen countertops, glass, and plastics.
Wood is very well suited for waterjet cutting. Waterjet cutting is a widely used technology, especially in furniture manufacturing, where fine contours need to be cut. Moisture is hardly an issue, as the water penetrates only a few millimeters into the material at the cut edge and dries very quickly.
Soft materials such as leather, rubber, carpet, or sealing paper are cut using a pure water jet. For hard and brittle materials, metals, glass, and plastics, an abrasive cutting agent is mixed into the water. Garnet sand is predominantly used here, but other abrasive materials are also possible in individual cases.
Unlike pure waterjet cutting, abrasive waterjet cutting uses an abrasive sand in addition to water. A pure waterjet cuts through soft material like a utility knife. The material is compressed and severed. An abrasive waterjet works like a grinding wheel. The material in the kerf is ground away.
For materials with smooth surfaces, residual moisture is not a problem. The component is blown dry with compressed air. Hygroscopic materials such as wood, open-cell foams, and textiles should be dried. In practice, forced-air dryers are used for this purpose. The key factor is not the temperature, but the air volume.
Yes, a waterjet cutting machine can be used for all common types of weld preparation, provided the machine is equipped with a 3D head.
Waterjet cutting is a cold-cutting process. This has the advantage that no structural changes occur at the cut line during cutting. A hardened steel plate can be cut without the cut edge losing its hardness. Any material can be cut with a waterjet, and the machine does not need to be retooled to cut steel, plastic, or glass alternately.
Plasma and oxy-fuel cutting are limited to only a few metals. Waterjet cutting works on almost any material. The surface is slightly rough, but because there is no heat input, there is no discoloration along the cut edge, and the contour accuracy is much better.
Unlike laser cutting, waterjet cutting is not limited to specific materials but can be used universally. For steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, waterjet cutting is more cost-effective than laser cutting once the material reaches a certain thickness. With an abrasive waterjet, thin sheets can be cut in bundles. This is not possible with a laser.
That is a question of cost-effectiveness. For thin steel or stainless steel sheets and very large quantities, the laser has the advantage. The thicker the material, the more cost-effective waterjet cutting becomes. Since the laser is limited to a few metals and waterjet cutting is suitable for virtually any material, the waterjet cutting machine is an alternative for anyone who cannot fully utilize a laser.
Depending on the machine’s specifications, the achievable precision ranges from the low tenths of a millimeter to a few hundredths of a millimeter. The surface is slightly rough to semi-matte, depending on the speed and grit size of the abrasive. Unlike thermal cutting processes, there is no discoloration along the cut edge.
There are numerous ways to tailor the cutting process to the customer’s specifications. Pressure, abrasive media, and many other parameters can be adjusted to meet the customer’s needs. The CNC control system, the ultra-high-pressure pump, the cutting table, and the cutting head technology are all configured according to the customer’s specifications.