Exploring the precision of waterjet technology

Once again, Interesting Engineering is back with the best of mechanical engineering for you. Today’s Mechanical newsletter features revolutionary cutting-edge technology that cuts like no other.

Read on to explore how waterjet technology works and how mechanical engineers are leveraging it to achieve precision in manufacturing processes.

We also have MIT’s novel solar-powered distillation process, lego-like bricks that even bulldozers can’t break, and Burj Khalifa-sized batteries.

🚨 Aerospace, from commercial space flight to deep space exploration, our newsletter propels your aerospace career on Friday, click here to subscribe now.

🔥 Today’s hot jobs as featured on jobs.interestingengineering.com

• Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer

• Forensic Mechanical Engineer

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

🚙 China’s humanoid robots to tackle tricky car chores at Dongfeng Motor
From seat belt inspections to door lock tests oil filling, and label application, UBtech’s humanoid industrial robot is set to improve unmanned manufacturing.

🧱 Bulldozer-resistant Lego bricks built from 90% recycled plastic waste
A sustainable startup makes recycled plastic bricks that withstand loads without deforming or collapsing.

🏙️ Burj Khalifa designer plans skyscrapers that can be used as giant batteries
SOM plans to use a gravity energy storage system to turn skyscrapers into towering batteries.

🚀 NASA’s Newest Spaceplane: Dream Chaser Tenacity Arrives at Kennedy Space Center
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser Tenacity is scheduled to deliver 7,800 pounds of cargo using a ULA Vulcan rocket.

💡 Powering Next-Gen Electronics: Scientists Find High-Performance Alternative to Conventional Ferroelectrics
Miniaturized antiferroelectrics with significantly higher electromechanical responses lead to the development of more efficient and powerful miniaturized electronic devices.

SPOTLIGHT

Broad Applications of Waterjet Cutting and How it Works

Waterjet cutting offers a highly versatile and efficient method for slicing through various materials. This cutting-edge technique utilizes ultra-high-pressure water, sometimes mixed with abrasive substances, to cut materials with remarkable accuracy and minimal waste.

The highly precise process begins with water being pressurized to an astonishing 100,000 psi or about 6900 bars. This water is then directed through a narrow nozzle to create a focused stream of water. Abrasives such as garnet are added to the water in a mixing chamber to enhance the cutting power to get through harder materials.

This mixture exits the nozzle at high speeds, piercing through the material in its path without generating heat and thereby preserving the integrity of the material. Celebrated for its precision, the technology allows for cuts with tolerances as tight as 0.025 mm, depending on the setup and material.

This precision makes waterjet cutting ideal for intricate designs and detailed cuts that other cutting methods might struggle with. Also since it is a cold-cutting process, it doesn’t create a heat-affected zone (HAZ) that could alter material properties near the cut. This is especially useful while cutting materials that are sensitive to high temperatures.

The setup streamlines the production process by allowing for quick changes between different materials without switching tools. From an engineering perspective, it is a method that does more than just achieve fine cuts. It is also about enhancing production efficiency. Additionally, the ability to cut materials without generating heat or toxic byproducts promotes environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes.

Engineers can leverage waterjet cutting across various industries. This includes aerospace, automotive, and electronics, where precision and material integrity are paramount. Waterjet cutting can also be employed for softer materials and composites, making it a go-to method for several applications, from prototyping to full-scale production.

As technology advances, the scope of waterjet cutting continues to expand, promising even greater efficiencies and capabilities. But till then, you can simply watch things get cut in half with a high-powered waterjet.

MechTech Innovations

MIT's new solar-powered desalination system

A novel solar-powered desalination system has been introduced by MIT engineers in collaboration with counterparts in China. This tech promises a sustainable method to convert seawater into drinkable water. Published in the journal Joule, their research introduces a passive device that cleverly mimics oceanic thermohaline circulation and optimizes the desalination process using only the sun's energy.

This system utilizes a multistage configuration, with each stage comprising an evaporator and a condenser. The design uses natural sunlight to heat saltwater and circulates it in small eddies like in the ocean. By continuously moving the salt through the system, these eddies effectively prevent salt accumulation, a common issue in traditional desalination methods.

This system, which can be sized to the size of a small suitcase, could produce 4 to 6 liters of potable water per hour. It has great potential in providing accessible drinking water solutions, particularly for off-grid coastal communities, and serving as a cost-effective solution that outcompetes tap water.

Mechanical engineering principles are at the core of this technology, from the thermal management of the evaporator layers to the fluid dynamics that enhance water and salt circulation.

MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS

🏎️ Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
This is the true story of Preston Tucker as he tries to create and market a revolutionary car against immense resistance. It has themes like engineering innovation, entrepreneurship, and the challenges of disrupting established industries.

🏥 The Fall (2006)
Set in 1920s Los Angeles, this is a visually stunning film directed by Tarsem Singh. The movie interweaves a hospital patient’s elaborate storytelling with the visual representation of a little girl’s imagination.

🌎 Baraka (1992)
Ron Fricke’s non-narrative documentary Baraka is filmed in 24 countries on six continents. A visually breathtaking spectacle that captures humanity's relationship to the Earth.

🌭 Delicatessen (1991)
A French black comedy post-apocalyptic film known for its dark humor. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, this film offers a unique depiction of a dystopian future where food is scarce.

👃🏼 Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
Based on Patrick Süskind’s novel, this film tells the story of a perfumer with a unique olfactory sense who is on a quest to create the world's most powerful perfume.