Water Jet Cutting

Water jet Cutting for Plastic and Polymer Components

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.

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What is water jet cutting?

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.

Why Choose this Route: The Benefits for Polymer Components

1. Cold Cutting
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.
2. Flexible Profiles
Change shapes with a new die
Water jet 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
3. Sheet Use
Nest parts together
Arrange multiple components within the stock to use the sheet effectively.
4. Next Operation
Prepare blanks for machining
Cut the initial profile, then machine precision features where needed.