Specifying a waterjet system: from process goal to requirements spec.

A defensible technical request first describes the machining task and the acceptance criteria. Pressure, flow rate, nozzle concept, and degree of automation are then derived from these requirements.

Planning Area	Information Needed for a Defensible Specification
Process	Cutting, cleaning, coating removal, deburring, material removal, flushing, or post-processing; describe starting and target condition precisely.
Workpiece / object	Material, geometry, dimensions, accessibility, variants, and, where relevant, contamination or coating.
Quality	Cut quality, tolerance, residual burr, residual contamination, removal depth, surface condition, or other measurable acceptance criteria.
Productivity	Cycle time, part count, area throughput, shift model, and required technical availability.
Tool guidance	Manual, mechanised, CNC, robotic, or remotely operated; required axes or degrees of freedom.
Hydraulics	Required operating point from pressure and flow rate; final specification together with the nozzle or tool concept.
Media & residue	Inlet water, filtration, abrasive, process water, sludge, removed material, extraction, and disposal.
Installation site	Space, access, electrical supply, water connection, noise, humidity, enclosure, and special ambient requirements.
Safety	Operating modes, access concept, interlocking, reaction force, safe maintenance, and required operational measures.
Service	Maintenance access, wear parts, spare-parts strategy, training, response times, and desired service coverage.
Acceptance	Trials using representative parts or realistic contamination, with inspection criteria agreed in advance.

Planning principle The application determines the relevant class of supplier and machine. A waterjet system should therefore not be pre-selected on a single figure, or on the label "waterjet" alone.