How to determine the appropriate Pump HP for your CNC WaterJet

The WaterJet Pump is a very important part to any WaterJet machine. It pressurizes the water to go through
the cutting head where it is then emitted at high velocities through a tiny orifice. With such a critical role it is
important to choose a pump with the appropriate horse power in order to meet high quality and precision.

Take the following steps using the 2 charts below:

1. Select the orifice diameter

2. Choose the preferred cutting pressure: 55,000 PSI or 60,000 PSI
3. With the specific GPM (gallons per minute) associated with the orifice diameter and cutting pressure
you chose, use table 2.0 to find the appropriate HP

Example #1: Manufacturer ABC wishes to do pure water cutting with multiple heads. A 0.006 orifice is
selected, three heads are needed, and a cutting pressure of 60,000 PSI is preferred. GPM = 3 x 0.191 = 0.573.
Therefore, at 60,000 PSI, manufacturer ABC can choose a pump HP between 30 or 50.

Example #2: Manufacturer XYZ wishes to do abrasive cutting of stainless steel with the desire to add a second
head in the future. A 0.014 orifice is selected and a cutting pressure of 55,000 PSI is preferred. GPM with
1head = 0.997 where a 50 HP pump is required and GPM with 2heads = 1.994 where a 100 HP pump is
required.

Table 1.0

Orifice Diameter GPM (litres)@ 55,000 PSI GPM (litres) @ 60,000 PSI
0.003 0.045 (0.204) 0.048 (0.218)
0.004 0.081 (0.368) 0.085 (0.386)
0.005 0.127 (0.577) 0.133 (0.604)
0.006 0.183 (0.831) 0.191 (0.868)
0.007 0.249 (1.131) 0.260 (1.181)
0.008 0.325 (1.477) 0.340 (1.545)
0.009 0.412 (1.872) 0.431 (1.959)
0.01 0.508 (2.309) 0.532 (2.418)
0.011 0.615 (2.795) 0.643 (2.923)
0.012 0.732 (3.327) 0.765 (3.477)
0.013 0.860 (3.909) 0.898 (4.082)
0.014 0.997 (4.532) 1.042 (4.737)
0.015 1.145 (5.205) 1.196 (5.437)

Table 2.0

Pump HP GPM (litres) @ 55,000 PSI GPM (litres) @ 60,000 PSI

S-30 0.6 (2.727) 0.52 (2.363)
50 1.0 (4.546) 0.90 (4.091)
60 1.12 (5.091) 1.02 (4.637)
75 1.44 (6.546) 1.34 (6.091)
 100 2.0 (9.092) 1.99 (9.046)
SL-V E50 1.0 (4.546)@52,000 PSI