ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Water jet cutter

A water jet cutter is like a magic wand that can cut through almost anything. It looks like a big machine with a water nozzle and a high-pressure pump.

First, imagine a garden hose. If you squeeze the end, water comes out faster and with more force. That's kind of like what happens in a water jet cutter. The pump pushes water through a small hole, and that makes it come out super fast and strong.

But just fast water isn't enough to cut solid things like metal or rock. That's why the magic wand also mixes in tiny bits of sand or tiny bits of hard metal called abrasives. The water and abrasives mix together and shoot out the nozzle.

When the water hits an object, it makes a tiny hole. That hole gets bigger and bigger as the water and abrasive keep shooting out. Eventually, the water cuts all the way through the object!

The best part is that the water jet cutter is very precise. It can make really tiny cuts or really intricate shapes. Plus, it doesn't create any heat or dust like some other cutting tools do. That makes it great for cutting all kinds of things, from leather to granite!