A waterjet cutting machine is a device that uses high-pressure water to cut materials. By adding abrasives (such as corundum) to the water, it can cut high-hardness materials such as metal, stone, glass, and ceramics. The key to using a water jet cutter correctly is safety, standardization, and proper maintenance. The following is a detailed step-by-step guide to help you use a water jet cutter correctly, efficiently, and safely.

1. Steps to use the waterjet cutting machine correctly

1) Preparation before waterjet cutting machine operation

Wear safety equipment:

Goggles, protective earmuffs, anti-cut gloves, non-slip safety shoes.

Check the equipment status:

Check whether the water source is sufficient and whether the oil level of the high-pressure pump is normal.

Check whether the abrasive system is unobstructed and whether there is any blockage.

Check whether the nozzle and gem are intact and whether there is any wear or damage.

Fix the workpiece:

Use a clamp or a pressure plate to firmly fix the material on the workbench to prevent it from moving during cutting.

2) Operation steps

Import cutting drawings:

Import CAD drawings (usually in DXF format) into the control system.

Set parameters such as path, cutting speed, water pressure, abrasive flow rate, etc.

Set cutting origin:

Manually move the cutting head, align the nozzle with the cutting starting point of the material, and set it to zero.

Dry run check:

First perform a "dry run" to observe whether the path is correct to avoid miscutting or collision.

Start cutting:

Start the high-pressure pump.

Turn on the abrasive system.

Start the cutting program and perform automatic cutting.

Observe the water pressure, nozzle operation and cutting status in real time to ensure that there are no abnormalities.

3) Precautions during operation

It is strictly forbidden to touch the working area with your hands, even when paused.

Monitor the water pressure and abrasive flow, and immediately stop processing if fluctuations are found.

Observe the cutting effect. If there is any incomplete cutting or deviation, stop checking immediately.

4) Shutdown process after operation

Pause the cutting program.

Turn off the high-pressure pump and slowly release the pressure.

Turn off the abrasive system and cooling system.

Turn off the CNC system and main power supply.

Clean the working area, recycle the residual material, and clean the abrasive.

2. Key points and tips for use

1) Parameter setting tips

2) Material cutting skills

3) Operation skills

Do path simulation in advance:

Prevent program errors or nozzles from hitting the workpiece.

Use the "dry run" function to confirm whether the trajectory is reasonable.

Segmented cutting of large-area materials:

Long-term continuous cutting is prone to overheating or system overload, so it is recommended to run in segments.

Replace consumable parts in time:

After the nozzle, gemstone, seal ring, etc. are worn out, the water pressure will drop and the cutting seam will become wider.

Set reasonable lead-in line/exit line:

Avoid the starting point directly perforating the key position of the part to protect the integrity of the finished product edge.

Keep the water clean:

Use a filtration system to prevent impurities from clogging the high-pressure system or damaging the pump body.

3) Tips for improving efficiency

3. Waterjet cutting machine safety tips

1) Personnel safety

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn:

Goggles or masks (to prevent splashing)

Soundproof earmuffs (to prevent high noise damage)

Cut-resistant gloves (when handling materials)

Non-slip safety shoes

It is recommended to wear long-sleeved protective clothing.

Equipment must not be operated without training:

Operators must undergo professional training and pass the assessment.

Non-operating personnel are not allowed to approach the machine.

Hands are prohibited from approaching the nozzle area:

Nozzle pressure during cutting is as high as thousands of bar, enough to penetrate the steel plate.

2) Equipment safety inspection (before operation)

Check the high-pressure system:

No leakage in pipelines and joints.

All connection parts are firm and reliable.

Check whether the nozzle and gem are worn or blocked:

A bad nozzle can cause off-cutting, flying sand, or even bursting.

Check the abrasive system:

The pipeline is unobstructed and there is no agglomeration.

The abrasive barrel cover is tightly closed to prevent moisture absorption.

Ensure that the workpiece is properly fixed:

Prevent material movement or rebound during cutting.

3) Waterjet cutting machine operation safety

It is strictly forbidden for others to stand near the cutting head:

High-pressure water flow has great destructive power, and accidental injury may be fatal.

It is forbidden to clean the workpiece or adjust the position by hand during the process:

If you need to pause, you should first stop the equipment completely and release the pressure.

Always pay attention to the position of the emergency stop button:

In case of abnormal situation, press the emergency stop immediately.

Do not leave your post during operation:

The cutting process needs to be monitored throughout to prevent the material from lifting or cutting by mistake.

4) Shutdown and maintenance safety

After cutting, the pressure must be relieved:

After turning off the high-pressure pump, it should be confirmed that the pipeline pressure is zero.

After shutting down, turn off the power first, and then clean and maintain:

Remove the residue, abrasive, and water stains in the working area.

It is forbidden to disassemble the pipeline or components under pressure:

All maintenance operations must be carried out after confirming that the power is off and the pressure is off.

Regularly check the high-pressure seals and safety valves:

Improper maintenance may cause pipeline bursts or injuries.

5) Other precautions

Keep the working area dry, clean and well ventilated. Do not modify cutting parameters or replace accessories without authorization.

It is strictly forbidden to place debris in the high-pressure pump area to avoid hindering heat dissipation or causing fire.

Once abnormal noise, odor or pressure fluctuation is found, the machine should be stopped for inspection immediately.

Recommended equipment:

Safety operation manual

Daily inspection record form

Emergency handling flow chart (posted near the equipment)

High-pressure operation training certificate archived.

4. Maintenance of waterjet cutting machines

Daily inspection of nozzles, mixing tubes and high-pressure seals.

Regularly replace high-pressure pump oil and filters.

Clean the workbench and abrasive collector.

Adequate spare parts inventory (nozzles, gems, seals, etc.).

Record equipment operation logs for fault analysis.

5. Common faults and solutions

6. Common Misconceptions