Abrasive water jet cutting

The abrasive water jet cutter is a precision, computer‑controlled cutting system designed primarily for flat stock. The tool uses CNC control of a high‑pressure stream of water mixed with abrasive to cut through material with excellent accuracy and minimal thermal distortion. 

Flow NanoJet

A large, boothlike apparatus stands behind a portable computer monitor & keyboard

The Flow NanoJet is a fully enclosed abrasive waterjet system equipped with a dedicated control workstation. 
 

System specifications

  • Power: 40 kW 
  • Maximum pressure: 6,000 bar 
  • Cutting envelope: 1.0 m × 0.6 m 
  • Maximum practical material thickness: up to 100 mm (material‑dependent) 

While in principle, materials up to approximately 100 mm thick can be cut, practical limitations may apply due to cutting time, safety considerations, or material behavior that leads to poor cut quality. 
 

Design requirements


Workpieces must include sufficient surrounding material to allow secure clamping during cutting. A minimum clearance of 50 mm along at least two edges is required. 

Two cutting nozzles are available, with effective kerf diameters of approximately 1.0 mm and 0.4 mm. Internal corners sharper than the nozzle diameter are not achievable, and very fine or delicate features may be challenging depending on material and thickness. 
 

Capabilities

  • Cuts material up to 10 cm thick
  • Positioning repeatability: ±10 μm 
  • Cutting area: 1.2 m × 0.65 m 
  • Nozzle vertical travel: up to 150 mm 
  • Linear straightness accuracy: 0.02 mm over 0.3 m 
 
Acceptable materialsUnacceptable materialsDifficult materials
  • Aluminum
  • Steel
  • Copper
  • Tungsten
  • Rock
  • Glass
  • PTFE
  • Any material that cannot be safely disposed of via the drain 
  • Lead
  • Cadmium
  • Brittle 
  • Layered or composite (e.g., fiberglass) 
  • Water‑sensitive 
  • Very soft