Waterjet Cutting for the Defense Industry

Defense manufacturing places high demands on the production of components, materials and finished parts. Accuracy, repeatability and material integrity can all be important, particularly when working with advanced materials or components that need to perform reliably in demanding environments. Waterjet cutting gives manufacturers a cold cutting process that can handle many of these requirements without introducing heat into the material.

We work with companies that need more than a cutting machine. The right solution needs to fit the material, component size, tolerances and production method, while also being practical to operate and maintain over time. With our experience in waterjet technology, we help you find a setup that works for both individual components and ongoing production.

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Built Around Demanding Production Requirements

Defence manufacturing can involve very different types of production, from prototypes and development work to series production, maintenance and replacement components. The materials can vary just as much, which makes flexibility an important part of the cutting process. Waterjet technology allows you to move between different materials and component requirements without relying on a thermal cutting method.

The process is also well suited to applications where material properties need to be preserved. Because waterjet cutting is a cold process, there is no heat-affected zone created during cutting, helping to avoid thermal changes, distortion and other effects that can occur with heat-based cutting methods.

Material Integrity Matters

Advanced materials are often selected because of the properties they bring to a component. High-strength steels, aluminium, titanium and composites can all require careful processing to maintain their intended performance. A cutting method that introduces heat can create additional considerations for the manufacturing process, especially when dimensional accuracy and material condition are important.

Waterjet cutting removes that thermal impact from the cutting process. This makes it a useful option for parts where you want to maintain the original material characteristics while achieving accurate and repeatable cuts. It can also help reduce the need for correction or additional processing after cutting, depending on the material and the required finished quality.

One Process for Many Defense Materials

A defense manufacturer may work with several material types in the same production environment. Waterjet technology can process high-strength steel, aluminium and titanium as well as carbon fibre, fibre-reinforced composites, ceramics, glass, rubber and plastics. Abrasive waterjet is used for harder materials, while pure waterjet is suitable for softer materials.

This material flexibility makes the technology useful across different parts of a manufacturing operation. Instead of selecting a different cutting method for every material, you can use waterjet technology as a flexible part of your production process, with the machine configuration and cutting parameters adapted to the application.

From Prototypes to Production and Maintenance

Defense-related manufacturing does not always follow one production pattern. Some components may be produced as prototypes during development, while others are manufactured repeatedly or supplied as replacement parts during maintenance. A cutting solution needs to work across these different situations without becoming unnecessarily complicated.

Waterjet cutting can support both development and production because the process can handle changes in material, geometry and part size. It is suitable for flat components and more complex shapes, giving manufacturers a practical way to move from initial development work towards repeatable production.

Complex Geometry with 5-Axis Cutting

Not every defense component can be produced with a conventional 2D cut. Angled edges, bevels and more complex geometries can require movement in several axes to achieve the intended shape directly in the cutting process. 5-axis waterjet technology gives you greater freedom when working with these types of components.

This can be particularly useful when secondary machining needs to be kept to a minimum. By producing more of the required geometry during cutting, you can simplify the manufacturing flow and reduce additional operations where the application allows it. The exact approach depends on the component, material, thickness and required tolerances.

Supporting Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing

Waterjet cutting is also relevant where aerospace and defense manufacturing overlap. Components can combine advanced metals and composite materials, with requirements for accuracy, repeatability and careful material processing. The cold cutting process allows these materials to be processed without the thermal impact associated with conventional heat-based cutting.

For manufacturers working across aerospace and defense applications, this flexibility can be valuable. The same waterjet technology can be configured for different materials, part sizes and geometries, giving production teams more options when requirements change.

A Practical Approach to Defense Manufacturing

For us, choosing a waterjet system is about more than specifying cutting speed or machine size. We look at what you are actually producing, which materials you work with, how often you produce the parts and what happens after cutting. That gives us a better basis for recommending a solution that fits your production rather than simply selling you a machine.

Our experience from working with demanding manufacturing environments also means we understand the importance of support after installation. Fast access to spare parts, original parts shipped the same day they are ordered, Swedish technology and world-leading components are part of how we support customers throughout the life of the machine.

Waterjet Technology for Your Defense Production

Whether you are developing a new component, producing established parts or looking for a more flexible way to process advanced materials, waterjet technology can be an important part of your manufacturing setup. The process combines cold cutting, material flexibility and high precision in one production method, making it suitable for a wide range of demanding applications.

We can help you evaluate the requirements of your production and determine what type of waterjet solution makes sense for your materials, component geometry and production volumes. The goal is a solution that works not only when the machine is installed, but throughout the years that follow.

Talk to us about your defence manufacturing requirements and let us look at the cutting process together with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is waterjet cutting used in the defense industry?

Waterjet cutting is used in the defence industry because it offers high precision, material flexibility and the ability to cut without heat. This makes it suitable for demanding components where material integrity, accuracy and repeatability are important.

The technology can be used for a wide range of defence-related production needs, from advanced material processing to component manufacturing, prototyping and maintenance applications.

What defense materials can be cut with waterjet technology?

Waterjet technology can cut many materials used in defense-related manufacturing, including high-strength steel, aluminium, titanium, composites, carbon fibre, ceramics, glass, rubber and plastics.

Abrasive waterjet cutting is commonly used for hard materials, while pure waterjet cutting can be used for softer materials. This makes the technology suitable for companies working with several different material types in the same production environment.

How does waterjet cutting help preserve material properties?

Waterjet cutting helps preserve material properties because it is a cold cutting process. Unlike thermal cutting methods, it does not create a heat-affected zone that can change the structure, hardness or performance of the material.

This is especially important when cutting advanced materials where strength, dimensional accuracy or surface quality must be maintained after cutting.

Why is cold cutting important for defense manufacturing?

Cold cutting is important in defence manufacturing because many components are made from advanced or sensitive materials. Heat can affect material structure, create distortion or require additional finishing after cutting.

With waterjet cutting, the material can be processed without thermal stress. This helps improve cut quality, reduce deformation and support more reliable production results.

Can waterjet cutting be used for aerospace and defense components?

Yes, waterjet cutting can be used for aerospace and defense components, especially when high precision and material integrity are required. It is suitable for flat parts, complex shapes, composite materials and components that must be cut without heat impact.

The method is also useful for production environments where different materials, part sizes and cutting requirements need to be handled with one flexible cutting process.

Is waterjet cutting suitable for armoured vehicle components?

Waterjet cutting can be suitable for manufacturing and processing components used in armoured vehicle production. It can cut hard metals, high-strength steels, composites and other advanced materials without creating heat-affected zones.

This makes it useful when accuracy, edge quality and material performance are important. The exact system setup depends on the material, thickness, component size and production requirements.

Can waterjet cutting be used for naval defense applications?

Yes, waterjet cutting can be used for naval defence applications where materials such as metals, composites, rubber, plastics and insulation materials need to be processed. It can support the production of components used in marine environments, shipbuilding and maintenance-related applications.

Because waterjet cutting is flexible and does not rely on heat, it can be useful for cutting both structural and technical materials with high accuracy.

How does waterjet cutting support the production of composite defense parts?

Waterjet cutting supports the production of composite defense parts by cutting without heat and with low mechanical stress. This is important because composites can be sensitive to thermal damage, delamination or deformation.

The process can create accurate cuts in carbon fibre, fibre-reinforced materials and other composite structures. It is especially useful when clean edges, tight tolerances and repeatable quality are required.

When is 5-axis waterjet cutting used in defense manufacturing?

5-axis waterjet cutting is used when defense-related components require angled cuts, bevels, complex geometries or cutting in several planes. It is especially useful for advanced parts where standard 2D cutting is not enough.

This technology can help reduce secondary processing by producing more complex shapes directly in the cutting process. It can also support higher flexibility in advanced manufacturing environments.

Can waterjet cutting reduce secondary processing in defense production?

Yes, waterjet cutting can reduce secondary processing in many defence production applications. Since the process creates precise cuts without heat distortion, parts may require less grinding, machining or correction after cutting.

This can help improve production efficiency, reduce lead times and support more consistent component quality. The result depends on the material, cut quality requirements and final application.

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