How Does A Water Jet Cutting Machine Cut Stone Materials?

Using a waterjet cutting machine to cut marble and stone is an efficient, precise method that avoids thermal deformation. Below are the detailed steps and precautions:

I. Principle of Waterjet Cutting for Marble and Stone

Waterjet cutting uses high-pressure water (often with added abrasives like garnet) to cut through materials at extremely high speeds (up to 800–1000 meters per second). For hard materials like marble and granite, abrasive waterjet cutting is typically used.

II. Required Equipment

1. Waterjet cutting machine (including control unit, cutting head, pump system, etc.)

2. High-pressure pump (usually provides 30,000–60,000 PSI)

3. Abrasives (e.g., garnet sand)

4. Cutting platform (to hold the marble or stone)

5. CAD/CAM software (for drawing and programming)

III. Cutting Procedure

1. Preparation

Check the equipment: Ensure the system operates normally with no leaks.

Prepare the material: Place the marble or stone securely on the cutting platform to prevent movement.

Import the design: Use CAD software to create the cutting pattern and import it into the waterjet control system.

Set parameters:

Cutting pressure: Typically between 40,000 and 60,000 PSI

Nozzle distance: Keep the nozzle 2–3 mm from the surface

Cutting speed: Adjust according to material hardness and thickness, usually 50–500 mm/min

Abrasive flow rate: Typically 0.3–1.2 kg/min

2. Add Abrasive

Add garnet or other abrasive to the water stream to enhance cutting power.

The abrasive is mixed with high-pressure water in the mixing chamber and nozzle, enabling it to cut through hard stone.

3. Begin Cutting

Start the waterjet system and monitor the cutting process.

Continuously check water pressure, cutting speed, and abrasive feed to prevent errors.

The machine stops automatically once cutting is complete.

4. Post-Processing

Inspect the cut edge for smoothness and verticality.

Rinse the stone surface to remove any abrasive residue.

Perform polishing or edge finishing if necessary.

IV. Safety and Tips

Safety first: Operators must wear safety goggles, waterproof gear, and ear protection.

Stable support: Secure the stone to avoid movement or fractures.

Parameter adjustment: Tune cutting settings based on different stone types and thicknesses.

Use quality abrasives: High-quality garnet improves efficiency and cut quality.

Prevent cracking: Marble has natural veins—avoid stress concentration zones during cutting.

V. Advantages Summary

No heat-affected zone (no burning or discoloration)

Capable of cutting complex shapes with high precision

Suitable for various stone materials (marble, granite, slate, etc.)

Minimal material waste and narrow kerf (usually 0.8–1.2 mm)

If you're considering purchasing or operating a waterjet system, I can also help with machine selection, brand comparisons, or training materials. Just let me know if you need assistance.