The Applications That Water Jet Cutting is Used For

Water jet cutting is used by a wide range of businesses and individuals – these comprising everything from huge, off-shore industry through to artists and sculptors keen to turn a vision into reality.

However, saying there are many uses still poses questions. What precisely can water jet cutting be used for, what are the practical examples?

In this page, we outline some of the many uses for this technology – some obvious, others perhaps less so.

Applications and Uses For Water Jet Cutting

Automotive and Aviation

Both the automotive and aviation industries make heavy use of water jet cutting – and the trend is only increasing.

Both industries require parts to be cut with complete accuracy and no risk of damage to the cut edge. They also require a cutting technology that can cut through a significant depth (water jets can cut through 10x the depth a laser can manage).

Water jets cut the chassis and frame, they cut the axles and brake discs, they cut steering wheels, wing mirrors, exhaust pipes and other body parts.

The water jets can cut the rotor blades for engines, the landing gear and many other crucial parts that are key to the vehicle’s safe operation.

However, did you know that much of the interior might be made via water jet cutting too? The seats and covers, the luggage compartments and the drop down seat trays where you house your in-flight meal.

Water jet cutting is key to travelling both safely but also in style.

Food

Water jet cutting is increasingly key to the food industry.

The technology allows food to be cut and processed in a way that is sterile and also eliminates waste. In previous blog posts, we have written about water jet cutting leading to efficiencies in the packaging and processing of both salmon and asparagus (sounds a healthy lunch).

Water jet cutting will grow in importance – one problem that has been evident during the Covid-19 pandemic is that the virus has caused havoc in some food processing units, with people forced to work in relatively close proximity. Water jet cutting allows for safe automation.

Given water jet cutting also makes financial sense – both through savings in staff costs and reduced waste – expect it to become core to this industry.

Electronics

Water jet cutting has grown rapidly in popularity in areas such as South East Asia, and this in part is because of the use of this technology in the creation of electronics.

The margins for electronic products are incredibly tight and there is of course huge competition.

Water jet cutting enables circuit boards to be made more competitively, so too components for a huge range of applications.

It may be surprising to think a technology that is based on water being blasted at a material is so important to the growth of modern electronic devices.

Medical Uses

Water jet cutting can cut the components for artificial limbs, helping to make them more readily available and so genuinely changing people’s lives.

The technology is also crucial to planning and prototyping, helping to develop new technologies and techniques through the efficient creation of model shop examples.

Water jet cutting is also of use in almost every operation and procedure – the instruments used often cut by water jet, if not designed by them too.

Art

Water jet cutting g has made many artistic ideas a reality.

To use our own experience, it has created an exhibit for Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery (The Ghost Tree), it has cut parts for the V&A in London, it has cut parts for an art exhibition in Switzerland.

In the example of the Ghost Tree, the artists, Anya Gallacio, was unsure if the project could even proceed – water jet cutting’s efficiency made it possible, creating the art work at a cost no other technology could hope to match.

Those working in the water jet cutting plants might not be world renowned artists, but they can help the artists create their vision.

Small Businesses and Individuals

While water jet cutting might be sued by major industry, it can also be of benefit to a huge range of individuals and smaller businesses.

Essentially, anyone who needs a part cutting accurately would be advised to at least source a quote.

We have cut new keys for a vicar (these keys for the church – not your typical front door key), parts for Star Wars helmets for an enthusiast, signs for businesses, parts for a model railway enthusiast and so many more small jobs.

And, in common with all water jet cutters, we love them. They help keep the day interesting!

All Major Industries

Without wishing to be glib, it is true to say that almost every major industry uses water jet cutting.

It could be offshore mining, metro chemical, nuclear, ship building or anything else you care to name.

This is because all industries have a requirement to cut parts and water jet cutting is almost always a compelling choice for cutting parts.

It is efficient, accurate, does not damage the part and creates minimal waste.

Random Stuff

On YouTube there are channels in which some colleagues with access to a water jet cutter cut things.

That may sound a tad niche, but these are no ordinary items.

They cut through bowling balls, a laptop, a bullet proof vest and so many more things.

It’s all about the views… Actually, the videos are quite compelling., Therapeutic even.

Work with the UK’s leading Water Jet Cutters

At TMC, we are a water jet cutter who serve the whole of the UK and increasingly Europe too, with clients across the content trusting us to work on their projects.

Despite our success, we remain a company that focusses on every client and work on projects of all sizes.

If you think water jet cutting might be of use for your project, please do get in touch for an obligation-free chat.

Call us on 01625 610 441 or use our Contact Form.