Waterjet Cutting Basics

Waterjet cutting is one of the most versatile and precise cutting methods available in modern industrial manufacturing. As a cold-cutting process, it allows you to cut virtually any material without introducing heat-affected zones, thermal distortion, or structural changes.

Below, we’ve gathered answers to foundational questions about how waterjet cutting works, which industries rely on it, and why it is a smart investment for both prototype development and full-scale serial production.

Have a specific technical question or need advice for your component production that is not answered here? Don’t hesitate to contact our team!

Why choose waterjet cutting for industrial production?

Waterjet cutting is a flexible cutting method that can be used for a wide range of industrial applications. It is especially useful when companies need to cut different materials, maintain high precision and avoid heat-related effects on the material.

Because waterjet cutting is a cold cutting process, it can help preserve material properties and reduce the need for additional processing. This makes it a strong choice for manufacturers working with demanding materials, complex parts or varied production needs.

What industries use waterjet cutting technology?

Waterjet cutting technology is used in many industries, including aerospace, automotive, engineering, metal fabrication, stone and tile production, glass processing, electronics, energy, defence and advanced manufacturing.

It is also suitable for companies that work with several different materials or need flexible production capacity. Since the method can be adapted to many applications, waterjet cutting is often used in both specialized production and broader industrial environments.

What makes waterjet cutting different from thermal cutting methods?

Unlike thermal cutting methods such as laser, plasma or flame cutting, waterjet cutting does not use heat to cut the material. Instead, it uses a high-pressure jet of water, sometimes mixed with abrasive, to separate the material.

This means that waterjet cutting can avoid heat-affected zones, thermal distortion and changes in the material structure. It is therefore often used when the material must keep its original properties after cutting.

Can waterjet cutting be used for both prototypes and serial production?

Yes, waterjet cutting can be used for both prototypes and serial production. For prototypes, it offers flexibility because parts can often be produced without expensive tooling or long preparation times.

For serial production, waterjet cutting can support repeatable quality and efficient production planning. The same system can often be used for different part sizes, materials and production volumes, which makes it useful in changing production environments.

Is waterjet cutting suitable for high-mix, low-volume production?

Yes, waterjet cutting is well suited for high-mix, low-volume production. Since the process can handle many different materials and part geometries, it allows manufacturers to switch between jobs without extensive tooling changes.

This flexibility is valuable for companies producing customized parts, small batches or varied product ranges. It can help reduce setup complexity and make production more adaptable to customer demand.

Why is waterjet cutting often used for advanced manufacturing?

Waterjet cutting is often used in advanced manufacturing because it combines flexibility, precision and material versatility. It can be used for complex shapes, sensitive materials and applications where heat must be avoided.

For companies working with advanced components, waterjet cutting can support high-quality production while helping reduce the need for secondary processing. This makes it useful in industries where accuracy, repeatability and material integrity are important.