The key element in water jet machining
(WJM) is a water jet, which travels at velocities as high as 900 m/s
(approximately Mach 3). When the stream strikes a workpiece surface,
the erosive force of water removes the material rapidly. The water,
in this case, acts like a saw and cuts a narrow groove in the
workpiece material.
Advantages
# It has multidirectional cutting
capacity.
# No heat is produced.
# Cuts can be started at any location
without the need for predrilled holes.
# Wetting of the workpiece material is
minimal.
# There is no deflection to the rest of
the workpiece.
# The burr produced is minimal.
# The tool does not wear and,
therefore, does not need sharpening.
# The process is environmentally safe.
# Hazardous airborne dust contamination
and waste disposal problems
that are common when using other
cleaning methods are eliminated.
# There is multiple head processing.
# Simple fixturing eliminates costly
and complicated tooling, which reduces turnaround time and lowers the
cost.
# Grinding and polishing are
eliminated, reducing secondary operation costs.
# The narrow kerf allows tight nesting
when multiple parts are cut from a single blank.
# It is ideal for roughing out material
for near net shape.
# It is ideal for laser reflective
materials such as copper and aluminum.
# It allows for more accurate cutting
of soft material.
# It cuts through very thick material
such as 383 mm in titanium and 307 mm in Inconel.
Disadvantages
# Hourly rates are relatively high.
# It is not suitable for mass
production because of high maintenance requirements.
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