What Does
Jet Cutting Mean?
Jet cutting is the process of the cutting of materials using a high-pressure water jet. Two types of jet cutting are employed based on the nature of material to be cut.
For softer materials such as rubber, plastic and foam, pure water jet cutting is used, while for harder material such as metal, glass, stone and concrete, abrasive water jet cutting is used.
Jet cutting is a preferred method of cutting because no heat is generated and it can cut in any direction. Water jet cutting is also used for trenchless rehabilitation of pipelines where a lateral connection needs to be added to an existing pipeline and also for cutting away through obstructions in the pipeline.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Jet Cutting
Jet cutting machines, both pure water and abrasive methods, have the same working principle except for an additional step of adding an abrasive material to the jet stream in the case of abrasive waterjet cutting.
A high-pressure pump generates the flow of highly pressured water that passes into the nozzle where it enters a small diameter orifice and forms a steady jet of water. The water jet then passes through a venturi section where a predetermined amount of granular abrasive, usually garnet, is introduced into the water jet. A ceramic mixing tube mixes the water and abrasive into a slurry, which exits the nozzle as a high-pressure stream. A catcher tank catches the water and dissipates its energy after it has cut through the material.
The process is computer controlled and gives a very accurate finish to the end product.