The Power of Water - Cutting with Water

In nature, the power of water has already been working for millions of years in the form of erosion. The extent of this erosion by water is known from many examples of river valleys like the Grand Canyon for instance.

The Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River, which still flows through the canyon. Over the course of thousand of years, the river gradually furrowed deep ravines into the rock, and thus the Grand Canyon was created. It took approx. 2000 million years before this fascinating landscape was finished.

Now the question arises: Can you exploit the power that water displays for industrial purposes?

The answer is yes. Already 100 years ago, jets of water were use for quarrying gravel and clay deposits. Soon after, high-speed jets were used for mining rocks and coal.
This kind of high-pressure water jet cutting (jet cutting) was constantly developed further and has spread over the entire world.

How Does Jet Cutting Work?

The energy required for separating with jet cutting is summoned by a jet of fluid, which flows through a very thin nozzle of precious stone.

In order to generate a powerful jet, enormous pressure is necessary, of course. By means of a pressure converter, water is brought to a cutting pressure of 4000 bar and accelerated to a speed of 900 m/s. That is more than 2.5 times the speed of sound!

What Can Be Achieved With The Jet Cutting Method?

With pure water jets, fabrics, thin plastics, food and paper are cut.

For separating metals, ceramic or bullet-proof glass, the abrasive water jet cutting method is used. This method is similar to water jet cutting, but before the jet of water hits the material to be worked, a cutting agent is added.

The water jet technology is also used for the air and space travel industry. For example, parts of the engine components are worked with this technology.