Waterjet Cutting Technology Revolutionizes Shipbuilding
In heavy shipbuilding, cutting technology critically impacts hull structural accuracy, production efficiency, and cost control. Traditional thermal cutting methods, plagued by large heat-affected zones and severe material deformation, increasingly fail to meet modern high standards. Waterjet cutting, with its cold-cutting process, environmental safety, and precision, is now a mainstream solution in shipyards globally
Case 1: Steel Plate Cutting for Large Naval Vessels
A defense shipyard building a 10,000-ton military supply ship required extreme precision in cutting high-strength ship plates (120mm thick). Custom 350MPa waterjet systems delivered:
Smooth cuts with burr-free edges;
Zero thermal distortion, eliminating rework;
Precision within ±0.1mm, boosting assembly efficiency
Case 2: Luxury Cruise Ship Interior Module Cutting
For stainless steel, aluminum, and fiberglass composites in cruise ship interiors, traditional methods caused edge discoloration and thermal warping. A 5-axis waterjet system resolved this by:
Maintaining consistency across diverse materials;
Accurately cutting complex contours for bespoke designs;
Eliminating secondary grinding, reducing labor by 30%
Case 3: Ship Dismantling and Retrofit
In decomposing rusted structures, traditional methods posed spark risks and low efficiency. Remote-operated waterjets enabled:
Operator safety in confined/hazardous spaces;
Clean cuts for efficient scrap sorting/reprocessing;
Eco-friendly dismantling with no pollutants
Case 4: Hull Penetration & Pipeline Interface Retrofitting
For retrofitting pipes onto existing hulls, portable waterjets achieved:
Cut accuracy <0.2mm error; Zero damage to adjacent coatings/structures; 30% shorter project cycles
Case 5: FRP Component Processing
Cutting fiber-reinforced plastics (up to 30mm thick) without delamination or scorching was achieved via waterjets, resulting in:
Fuzz-free edges, no toxic dust;
Minimal material loss (<1mm kerf);
Noise-free operation, improving worksite safety
Conclusion
From hull construction to precision interiors, dismantling to retrofits, waterjet technology drives sustainable transformation in shipbuilding through its material versatility, zero thermal impact, and precision. Continued innovation will further integrate this technology into smarter, greener maritime manufacturing
Key Technical Validation of Waterjet cutting machine:
Precision: Robotic systems ensure ±0.1mm repeatability
Material Integrity: Cold cutting preserves metallurgical properties
Eco-Advantage: No heat/toxins; wastewater is filterable/recyclable
Versatility: Cuts metals, composites, glass, and ceramics at thicknesses ≤250mm
