An intensifier pump for water jet cutting

Abstract

Although the concept of water jet cutting has been developed decades ago, its utilisation is still restricted to a limited amount of specialised applications. During the last two decades, the emergence of the technology and technique for producing reliable, efficient and cost effective hard ware has resulted in an efficient ultra high pressure, coherent stream of water, capable of cutting a variety of materials rapidly and with superior edge quality. Manufacturers of fibreglass insulation and corrugated board were pioneers in the use of water jet cutting. Increased service times of a variety of hard ware, together with new technologically advanced components, such as, swivels, quick acting valves, and automatic jet sensors, have enabled the engineer to apply this method of cutting in situations never before possible. These innovative applications range from cutting of nuclear power plant's spent fuel for further processing and utilisation in curing of gallstone diseases in the medical field. Less outstanding applications are rock breaking in oil drilling, excavation and mining industries, and cleaning of offshore structures. The range of materials effectively cut by water jet means include large scale quarrying of sandstone, limestone, marble and china, to small location hole drilling of Printed Circuit Boards in the electronics industry [...].