The Laser WaterJet (LWJ) is a new method for machining most ceramics, hard materials, and metals. The LWJ equipment precisely guides a laser beam down a waterjet, in a manner similar to light traveling through an optical fiber. The benefits of combining a laser and waterjet are:

• Enhanced cooling of the cutting area and substrate
• Efficient removal of machining debris
• Significant reduction in molten slag re-deposition
• Elimination of micro-cracking due to short duration pulses of the laser beam
• Reduction in taper because the laser fills the waterjet column