Waterjet Cutting Services

Waterjet cutting handles extreme material thicknesses up to 300 mm without compromising on edge quality. It is the ideal solution when precision and a superior finish are non-negotiable.

Fractory’s waterjet cutting services will ensure your growing needs never outpace your production capabilities. Our Project Engineers are ready to assist in planning and execution, making certain your projects are completed cost-efficiently and up to high standards.

Capabilities

Maximum material thickness
Maximum material thickness Up to 300 mm
Maximum cutting area
Maximum cutting area Up to 6000 x 3000 mm

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Why Order Waterjet Cut Parts From Fractory?

  • Scale your production without switching suppliers, we can handle single orders upwards of 2 million pounds.
  • Discuss your waterjet cutting project with Fractory’s engineers for cost-efficient solutions.
  • Fractory handles everything from quoting to delivery, including quality control.
  • A single point of contact simplifies project management, freeing up time for value-added activities.
  • We orchestrate your entire production path, seamlessly connecting initial cutting with finishing and final assembly.
  • Quick quotes and lead times.

What Is Waterjet Cutting?

Waterjet cutting is a versatile machining process used for a wide range of materials, including metals. The primary distinction between waterjet cutting and other methods is that it is a non-thermal process. Rather than using heat, it is a mechanical method where material is removed through physical erosion and high-velocity wear.

The ability to cut through thick metal is driven by the waterjet’s supersonic speed, exiting the nozzle faster than the speed of sound. To process a broader range of hard materials, an abrasive, typically crushed garnet, is added to the stream. You may recognise garnet as the mineral that gives sandpaper its rough texture.

Under extreme pressure, these abrasive particles strike the material at high velocity to erode the metal. While standard waterjet systems typically operate around 380 MPa, modern high-performance systems can reach pressures up to 620 MPa.

Because the material is removed gradually and cooled by the water stream, temperatures remain low, eliminating the risk of a heat-affected zone (HAZ). This ensures the waterjet remains stable throughout its path, delivering a clean, straight cut across the entire thickness of the material.

Read more about the waterjet cutting process from our engineering blog.

Choosing the Right Fabrication Method

Fractory offers the capability to cut metals up to 300 mm thick, including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and various other alloys. Please note that when requesting waterjet services for materials of this thickness, lead times may be affected by specialised stock availability.

For materials up to 50 mm, we generally recommend plasma cutting due to its lower cost profile. Oxy-fuel cutting serves as a cost-effective alternative for thicknesses up to 150 mm, however, while it is more budget-friendly, it cannot process aluminium and lacks the superior edge quality of a waterjet.

Ultimately, waterjet cutting remains the premier choice when precision and material versatility are the top priorities for heavy-duty plates.

Advantages of Waterjet Cutting

  • No heat-affected zone – Typically, thermal cutting methods leave a HAZ. This hardens the edges of the cut. Waterjet cutting, on the other hand, provides a result without hardening, distorting or warping the material.
  • Cuts almost any material – Although our waterjet cutting service focuses mainly on metal cutting, it can actually be used for pretty much anything. Some examples include rubber, foam, plastics, glass, and, of course, metal.
  • Outstanding precision – The tolerances are close to +/-0.15 mm. Fractory’s manufacturing partners can produce very accurate results using their CNC-operated waterjet machinery.
  • Great cutting quality – Waterjet cutting can provide excellent results that don’t need additional finishing processes. The quality, however, depends on the cutting speed. Slower speed leaves a smoother finish, but this, in turn, raises the costs.
    Waterjet Cutting Quality Grades
    Waterjet cutting quality grades – from 1 to 5
  • Environmental impact – This is a growing concern with many manufacturing methods. Waterjet cutting helps to reduce hazardous waste compared to other cutting possibilities. There are no dangerous gases or fumes created as by-products. In addition, no cooling oils or lubricants are required, and the used water is also recyclable.

Waterjet Cutting Online

While our CNC machining, bending and laser cutting quotes are automated on the platform, waterjet cutting still needs manual reviewing.

If you are looking to get some thick metal parts manufactured, send us a request for quote or log in and do it via our platform.

Our Multi-Stage Connected Manufacturing Approach

  • Upload & configure

    Upload & configure

    Simply upload your CAD files, choose your materials and processes, and receive a comprehensive quote for your entire project.

  • Multi-Stage Manufacturing

    Multi-Stage Manufacturing

    Our MSCM platform orchestrates a bespoke production path through our network of manufacturing partners, balancing speed, cost, and quality to meet your project's unique demands.

    • Intelligent planning
      Intelligent planning

      The core of MSCM. Our platform creates a complete production blueprint, mapping the original sequence of processes and identifying specialist partners.

    • Specialist production
      Specialist production

      Core manufacturing processes are routed to the ideal manufacturing partner. On completion, parts undergo rigorous quality checks before moving to the next stage.

    • Partner coordination
      Partner coordination

      Our platform manages all partner logistics and communication, orchestrating the production flow and adapting to real-world situations to eliminate delays.

    • Finishing
      Finishing

      We coordinate all secondary processes, from heat treatments to surface finishes, applying targeted quality checks to ensure they meet your exact requirements.

    • Assembly & kitting
      Assembly & kitting

      We manage the final assembly process. Parts are configured to your required level, from kitted components and sub-assemblies to complete units, ready for final validation.

  • Quality checked & delivered

    Quality checked & delivered

    Your completed parts are checked against your specifications to ensure quality before being packaged for on-time delivery.

Waterjet Cutting FAQ

Can you provide material certificates?

Yes, we can! Simply tick the checkbox for material certificates when placing your order.

Do you provide manufacturing consultation?

Yes, business customers can rely on expert advice from our seasoned manufacturing engineers to find the most suitable solution for manufacturing your parts.

What is the maximum material thickness?

We can cut metals up to 300 mm with waterjets. Depending on the project’s requirements, waterjet cutting may not always be the most cost-effective option. Get in touch with our Project Engineers to work out the most suitable solution to manufacture your parts.

Do you deliver to my address?

Yes, Fractory offers UK-wide delivery for all orders.

We deliver your parts straight to your selected address. Fractory takes care of transportation and delivers your parts straight to your selected address, so you can focus on the engineering side of things.

Let us ease your workload! Order metal fabrication from Fractory and experience the benefits yourself: 1-1 engineering support, payment terms for companies, a single point of contact, competitive pricing, on-time deliveries and quality control.
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