A water jet cutter, also known as a water jet or waterjet, is an industrial tool capable of cutting a wide variety of materials using a very high-pressure jet of water, or a mixture of water and an abrasive substance. The term abrasivejet refers specifically to the use of a mixture of water and abrasive to cut hard materials such as metal or granite, while the terms pure waterjet and water-only cutting refer to waterjet cutting without the use of added abrasives, often used for softer materials such as wood or rubber.

A diagram of a water jet cutter.

#1: high-pressure water inlet.

#2: jewel (ruby or diamond).

#3: abrasive (garnet).

#4: mixing tube.

#5: guard.

#6: cutting water jet.

#7: cut material

Waterjet cutting is often used during fabrication of machine parts. It is the preferred method when the materials being cut are sensitive to the high temperatures generated by other methods. Waterjet cutting is used in various industries, including mining and aerospace, for cutting, shaping, and reaming.

From VICHOR waterjet, the top one in China’s waterjet cutting market.