Waterjet cutting with crossfire pro

Ever since I first saw the wazer desktop waterjet I have been thinking about building a water jet conversion for my crossfire pro. The wazer is way overpriced in my opinion and it utilizes what looks to be a annovi reverberi pressure washer pump with a 1hp motor and it is only capable of 4700 psi when a commercial waterjet runs upward of 30,000 psi. I happen to have a pressure washer pump capable of 10,000 psi or more sitting around and a 10hp weg electric motor. Building a power unit for cutting is not a problem and I want to make the cutting nozzle fit in the machine torch holder to make it a easy switch between water and plasma cutting. I mainly want the waterjet for cutting non conductive materials and for cutting thin aluminum and stainless that needs finer detail.

What I am less familiar with is the software side of things, I don’t think there would be a problem using the initial height sensing. It seems like I should be able to use firecontrol by tweaking settings to compensate for the differences in waterjet cutting vs plasma cutting. I am planning to use the torch on to initiate the water jet and like the wazer I will use the drain to waste method for the water and abrasive media.

Any input or suggestions is appreciated, I am trying to think of any issues I may be overlooked that would make this not possible.

I believe you might have a few problems with a crossfire product making a water jet.

  • the plasma tables are structurally designed to hold a torch…and the plasma flame is not more that 90psi of air coming out so very little back pressure…
  • the increase of back pressure will put undue stress on the bearings and other components not designed for such a large pressure…you will bind or bend the frame and struts not to mention the bearings will surely fail.
  • then you need to look at the water…these tables and components are designed for open air environments…not water spray of such large quantities…you will spend to much time trying to water proof the area.
    then there is the THC control…that is measured in voltage sensed across the plasma flame…since you do not have voltage with water cutting the THC will not work…you need ultrasonic measuring I think
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