Everything You Need to Know About Waterjet Metal Cutting
Struggling to cut thick, tough metals without compromising precision or part integrity? Waterjet cutting could be the right solution for your business. It slices through any material — no heat, no distortion, no stress. From aerospace components to intricate industrial parts, waterjet technology can be the solution you need.
Imagine cleaner edges, tighter tolerances, and greater flexibility. At AKS Cutting Systems, our waterjet machines give manufacturers a competitive edge by combining power, precision, and American-made reliability. Below, we’re diving into how waterjet cutting works, where it excels, and which AKS waterjet products are best suited to your shop.
What is Waterjet Metal Cutting?
Waterjet cutting uses a high-pressure stream of water — often mixed with abrasive materials like garnet — to slice through metal with extreme accuracy. Because waterjet cutting is a cold process, it’s great for parts that are heat-sensitive. Waterjets are often used to create parts for a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, industrial, and more.
Benefits of Waterjet Cutting for Metal
No Heat-Affected Zones (HAZ)
When a part undergoes a plasma- or laser-cutting operation, the area between the melted part and unaffected base metal sees chemical and structural modifications. This is what is referred to as the heat-affected zone (HAZ). The HAZ can weaken the material due to changes in its microstructure caused by welding or other heat-intensive processes. This weakening can lead to reduced strength, increased brittleness, and susceptibility to cracking or corrosion.
Here’s what you need to know about how plasma- and laser-cutting operations impact the HAZ:
Thicker parts require the torch to travel more slowly, meaning the HAZ will be larger as more heat is transferred to the part. Part geometry can also play a part, with straight line cutting producing a smaller HAZ. And finally, consumable setup can impact the size of the HAZ.
Want to learn more about the heat-affected zone of metal? Explore our in-depth blog here.
While some parts are not profoundly impacted by the HAZ, others are. When you opt for waterjet cutting, you can avoid any issues caused by a potential HAZ. This is because waterjet cutting is a cold process. The lack of heat input means the material surrounding the cut is not subjected to the temperature changes that can cause a HAZ.
Exceptional Precision
AKS waterjet machinery can achieve motion accuracy of +/- 0.003-inch per three feet. That’s why so many companies choose waterjet cutting solutions for tight-fitting parts and intricate designs.
Cuts Virtually Any Material
Laser- and plasma-cutting are often relegated to certain types of metals. For example, plasma can only cut conductive metals. Lasers may have issues with highly reflective materials.
Waterjet cutting doesn’t have these issues and can cut virtually any material. Whether you’re working with hardened steel, copper, brass, or another material like plastic or even packing foam, a waterjet can cut through it with ease.
Minimal Waste
Waterjet cutting often features a narrow kerf width that reduces material waste. Overall, you’ll get more out of every sheet of metal.
Cleaner Cuts, Less Finishing
Waterjet edges are smooth and burr-free, often eliminating the need for grinding, sanding, or post-processing.
Top Waterjet Cutting Machines from AKS Cutting Systems
water-kut x2
This small waterjet cutting system is an entry-level solution that delivers powerful performance and full-featured precision. It’s a unitized waterjet cutting solution designed to tackle heavy-duty applications in a cost-effective and space-saving manner.
water-kut x3
For high-volume fabrication and fast production, turn to the water-kut x3, an advanced system designed to streamline operations. With an easy load and unload design and rapid precision, it will serve your needs without slowing you down.
water-kut x4
This waterjet cutting system was designed to handle the most demanding applications with up to 90,000 psi. Its hardened and ground ball screw design delivers enhanced stability and repeatability, so you can work swiftly and accurately.
We’ll Help You Find the Right Cutting Systems for Your Business
If you’re trying to decide which cutting system is right for your organization, turn to AKS Cutting Systems. We are a leader in waterjet and plasma cutting machinery, and our team is standing by to match you with the right solution.
With over 100 years of experience, we’ve worked with businesses large and small to match the right systems for their needs. We offer a wide range of machinery and partner with Hypertherm to deliver the best results for our customers. Our expertise and made-in-America machinery can help you improve cut quality and enhance the performance of your finished parts. Contact us today to get started.