shaping-manufacturing-processes > 3D Water Jet Cutting

This process involves the cutting of plate metal using a concentrated Water Jet that is CNC controlled – machines may be multi-head for increased production rate or just a single Water Jet cutting head.

Unlike 2 Dimensional or 2-Axis Water Jet cutting, a Third Dimension is introduced to allow shaping or "bevelling" of a cut edge. This allows the creation of profiles with varying geometry along their edges, as would be necessary for weld preparation.

Plate profiles may be have their edges prepared either within the profiling cycle as with 3 Dimensional Water Jet Cutting, or an edge preparation applied by a rotating cutting tool after profiling - see "Edge Preparation"