Waterjet Feed Rate Calculator

Material	Thickness (inches)	Feed Rate (inches per minute)
Aluminum	0.125	10-15
Aluminum	0.25	6-10
Stainless Steel	0.125	8-12
Stainless Steel	0.25	4-8
Mild Steel	0.125	10-15
Mild Steel	0.25	6-10
Glass	0.125	8-12
Glass	0.25	4-8
Granite	0.125	6-10
Granite	0.25	3-6
Ceramic	0.125	6-10
Ceramic	0.25	3-6

FAQs

How many gallons per minute does a waterjet use? The waterjet typically uses about 1 to 5 gallons per minute (GPM), depending on the specific machine and cutting parameters.

How much does waterjet cutting cost per hour? Waterjet cutting costs can vary widely, but it’s roughly estimated at $60 to $150 per hour, including machine operation and abrasive materials.

What is the formula for waterjet cutting? Waterjet cutting doesn’t have a simple formula. It involves using a high-pressure stream of water (sometimes with abrasive particles) to cut through materials, and the parameters vary based on the material and thickness being cut.

How fast can a waterjet cut steel? A waterjet can typically cut steel at speeds ranging from 1 inch per minute (IPM) to 20 IPM, depending on the thickness and quality of cut required.

How do you calculate water flow in gallons per minute? To calculate water flow in GPM, you can use this formula: GPM = (Q / t), where Q is the volume of water in cubic inches, and t is the time in minutes.

How many gallons per minute do I need? The required GPM for waterjet cutting varies depending on the machine and application. For general estimates, 2-3 GPM is often sufficient, but thicker materials or faster cutting may require more.

What PSI does a water jet cut at? Waterjet cutting typically operates at pressures ranging from 40,000 to 60,000 PSI (pounds per square inch).

Is waterjet cheaper than laser? Waterjet and laser cutting have different cost profiles. Waterjet cutting tends to be more cost-effective for thicker and non-metallic materials, while laser cutting can be more cost-effective for thin metals. The choice depends on the specific application.

What cannot be cut by waterjet? Materials that are highly brittle, such as tempered glass, some ceramics, and some super-hard alloys, can be challenging to cut with waterjet. Extremely thick or dense materials may also be difficult to cut.

How thick can you waterjet cut? Waterjet cutting can effectively cut materials ranging from paper-thin to several inches thick, with thicker materials requiring slower cutting speeds.

How much does it cost to run a waterjet cutting machine? The operational cost of a waterjet cutting machine varies widely based on factors like electricity, water usage, abrasive materials, and labor. A rough estimate is $20 to $50 per hour.

Why is waterjet cutting expensive? Waterjet cutting is relatively expensive due to high equipment costs, abrasive materials, high-pressure water generation, and maintenance requirements. The costs are also influenced by the specific material being cut and the desired quality.

How fast is 60,000 PSI? 60,000 PSI is approximately 4,137 times atmospheric pressure at sea level.

What’s the thickest steel a water jet can cut? Waterjets can cut steel up to several inches thick, but the cutting speed decreases as the thickness increases. Cutting 6 inches thick steel is possible but may be slow.

How much PSI does it take for water to cut steel? Waterjets typically require pressures of 40,000 to 60,000 PSI to effectively cut through steel.

What is the easiest way to calculate flow rate? The easiest way to calculate flow rate is to measure the volume of fluid passing through a pipe or channel per unit of time (e.g., gallons per minute or liters per second).

What is the formula for calculating flow rate? Flow rate (Q) is calculated using the formula: Q = A * V, where A is the cross-sectional area of the pipe or channel, and V is the velocity of the fluid.

How much water can flow through a 1-inch pipe per hour? The flow rate through a 1-inch pipe depends on the water pressure and the specific pipe characteristics. As a rough estimate, it could be around 10-20 gallons per minute (GPM).

How long does it take to use 100 gallons of water? The time it takes to use 100 gallons of water depends on the flow rate of the water source. If the flow rate is 10 GPM, it would take 10 minutes.

What is the max gallon per minute flow? The maximum gallon per minute flow can vary significantly depending on the plumbing and water supply. In residential settings, it’s often around 10-20 GPM, but industrial setups can have much higher flow rates.

How many GPM can a 3/4-inch pipe flow? A 3/4-inch pipe can typically flow around 5-7 GPM under standard residential water pressure.

How high will 1 psi push water? 1 psi can push water to a height of approximately 2.31 feet.

How high will 40 psi lift water? 40 psi can lift water to a height of approximately 92.4 feet.

Can a water jet cut a diamond? Yes, a waterjet can cut a diamond, as diamonds are extremely hard but can be cleaved along their natural planes with high-pressure waterjets.

What is the disadvantage of waterjet? Some disadvantages of waterjet cutting include slower cutting speeds for thick materials, the need for abrasive materials for hard materials, and the potential for environmental concerns due to wastewater and abrasive disposal.

Can a waterjet cut skin? Yes, a waterjet can cut skin, so extreme caution is necessary when operating such machinery to avoid accidents.

How much does a waterjet shop charge? The cost of waterjet cutting services can vary widely depending on the material, thickness, complexity, and location. Prices can range from a few dollars per minute to more than $100 per hour of machine time.

Can glass be cut with waterjet? Yes, waterjets can cut glass, and it’s a common application, especially for decorative and artistic designs.

Can you waterjet rubber? Yes, waterjets can cut rubber effectively, making it suitable for gasket manufacturing and other applications.

Can a water jet cut angles? Yes, waterjets can cut angles and complex shapes with precision, making them versatile tools for various applications.

Can waterjet cut without abrasive? Waterjets can cut some materials without abrasive, but it’s less effective for hard materials like metal. Abrasive is often used to enhance cutting efficiency.

Can waterjet cut hardened steel? Yes, waterjets can cut hardened steel, but abrasive waterjet cutting is typically used for such materials.

What pressure should I cut with water? The pressure for waterjet cutting depends on the material and thickness. As a general guideline, start with 40,000 PSI and adjust as needed for the specific application.

Can a waterjet cut through wood? Yes, waterjets can cut through wood, and they are used in woodworking for various purposes, including precision cutting and shaping.

Can a waterjet cut through everything? While waterjets are versatile and can cut through a wide range of materials, there are limitations, and they may struggle with extremely hard, brittle, or heat-resistant substances.

Which is better, CNC laser, or CNC waterjet? The choice between CNC laser and CNC waterjet depends on the specific application. Laser is better for thin metals and intricate designs, while waterjet is better for thicker materials and materials that can’t withstand high heat.

What are the pros and cons of water jet cutting? Pros: Versatility, no heat-affected zone, ability to cut various materials. Cons: Slower for thick materials, abrasive use generates waste, initial cost.

How many PSI is 100 mph? The PSI generated by wind speed depends on many factors, but for a rough estimation, 100 mph wind can exert about 29.4 PSI.

What is the PSI at 60 mph? At 60 mph, wind can exert approximately 5.88 PSI.

How many PSI is 60 mph? 60 mph wind exerts approximately 1.47 PSI.

Can a water jet cut rock? Yes, waterjets can cut through rock, including natural stone and concrete.

Can a waterjet cut titanium? Yes, waterjets can cut titanium, and it’s often used in aerospace and medical applications.

Can water jets cut plastic? Yes, waterjets can effectively cut various types of plastic materials.

How high will 1 psi lift a 1-inch 12-inch column of water? 1 psi can lift water to a height of approximately 27.71 inches (2.31 feet) in a 1-inch diameter column.

How many psi is a foot of water depth? Each foot of water depth exerts approximately 0.4335 psi.

How many gallons per minute does a water jet use? I’ve already answered this question. A waterjet typically uses about 1 to 5 gallons per minute (GPM).

What are the three types of flow rate? The three types of flow rate are mass flow rate, volumetric flow rate, and velocity flow rate.

How much water flows per minute? The amount of water flowing per minute depends on various factors, such as the diameter of the pipe and the water pressure. It can range from a few gallons per minute in residential plumbing to thousands of gallons per minute in industrial applications.

How do you manually calculate flow rate? Flow rate can be manually calculated by measuring the volume of fluid passing through a pipe or channel in a given time period (e.g., GPM = Volume / Time).