As highlighted in The Fabricator’s insightful piece “Pressure matters in abrasive waterjet cutting,” the landscape of abrasive waterjet machines has transformed significantly over the last thirty years, evolving from rudimentary tools in the 1980s to sophisticated machine tools utilized across diverse sectors, from aerospace to food processing.
This evolution owes much to advancements in material science, streamlined system designs, enhanced waterjet tool control, and the adoption of higher pressure regimes.
Traditionally, waterjet cutting systems operated within the range of 60,000 PSI (4,100 bar). However, in the last decade, there has been a notable shift towards higher pressures, reaching up to 90,000 PSI (6,200 bar). Modern abrasive waterjet machines typically utilize either an intensifier pump or a direct-drive pump to achieve these high-pressure requirements.
Intensifier pumps, employing the intensification principle, generate water pressures ranging from 60 KSI to 90 KSI. These pumps, also known as constant-pressure pumps, maintain commanded pressure irrespective of the pump’s operational state.
Direct-drive pumps, akin to pressure washers, function by using a crankshaft to pressurize water up to 60 KSI. Termed constant-flow pumps, they necessitate meticulous control during idle phases to prevent system overpressurization.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of thefabricator.com.
Photo with all rights reserved, courtesy of depositphotos.com