Cut components from the sheet without any heat and avoid the heat-affected zone from a thermal cutting process.
Waterjet cutting can produce washers, spacers and blanks for further machining. Suitability depends on the material grade, thickness, geometry and required finish.
Water jets combine water and abrasive garnet to create a high-pressure stream that can cut through various plastic sheets. Similar to laser cutting, a waterjet cutter is guided by CNC instructions based on a component's CAD drawing. However, unlike laser cutting, waterjets create no heat-affected zone damage, making them a beneficial manufacturing method.
Avoids Heat-Related Edge Damage
Polymers benefit from the cold-cutting process, as it relies on erosion rather than melting or burning. Avoids warped or distorted edges and creates a zero heat-affected zone.
Change shapes without a new die
Waterjet cutting allows fast design changes because it is digital and software-driven. You don't need expensive physical dies or custom tooling. CAD-to-CNC workflow allows this.
Nest parts together
Arrange multiple components within the stock to use the sheet effectively.
Prepare blanks for machining
Cut the initial profile, then machine precision features where needed.
Flat profiles at a consistent stock thickness are a natural starting point.
| PEEK | Because of the cold-cutting, PEEK's crystallinity is retained. |
| Acetal / POM | POM is protected from heat-stress when water jet cut. |
| PE / PP | Highly cost-efficient method to produce uniform parts. |
| Reinforced Polymer: PEEK GF 30, RENY, PA66 GF60 | An abrasive water mixture is used to cut these materials. Unlike traditional machining using saws or drills, which dull quickly against the harsh glass fibres, the high-speed stream is able to cleanly erode. |
| PTFE | Avoid toxic fluorine-based fumes and heat-affected zones created during laser cutting PTFE. |
| Nylon / PA | Water jet systems can cut through a range of stock thicknesses. |
| PC | Create superior edge quality, high tolerances and waste little material when you water jet cut polycarbonate. |
