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SINCE 1985, the use of abrasive‐entrained water jets to cut a wide variety of metallic and non‐metallic materials has rapidly expanded, creating a whole new industry and an ever‐expanding series of new applications. In fact, for certain materials, abrasive water jet cutting offers distinct advantages over alternative processes for cutting in two dimensions.

ENHANCEMENTS in the cutting of materials such as composites and metals can provide manufacturers in the aerospace and aircraft industries with the improvements they require in productivity and quality.

Describes the technique of waterjet cutting and explains recent developments in the cutting head. Discusses the advantages of the new heads and gives typical parameter combinations for industrial applications.

An extremely high‐pressure jet of water is an efficient method of cutting soft materials, and combining the waterjet process with industrial robots is an economic alternative to the traditional punch tool method of producing complex‐shaped components for car interiors, such as floor carpets, headliners and door trims. Applications are given of robotic waterjet systems installed in the USA, France and Iran as well as news of a new cutting box introduced by ABB‐IR Waterjet Systems. A further development of the waterjet process is described in which the addition of abrasives enables aluminium castings to be fettled and cleaned.