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Waterjet cutting – materials, file and quotation
Waterjet cutting uses water at very high pressure, together with abrasive for harder materials, to cut shapes without the heat-affected zone typical of thermal processes. It can be used for components made from metal, stone, ceramics, glass and many other materials. The result and price depend on the material, thickness, part geometry, file quality and required finish.
For ALHEN’s current machine capabilities and ordering information, see the Waterjet cutting service. This guide explains how to prepare a project for assessment and quotation.
How does Waterjet cutting work?
Water is pressurised and directed through a small orifice to create a concentrated jet. Water alone may be used for soft materials, while abrasive is added for harder ones. The head follows a programmed path to make straight lines, curves, holes and complex contours.
The absence of local heating is useful for heat-sensitive materials or when changes along the cut edge are undesirable. It does not mean every edge is immediately suitable as a decorative finish. Cut quality is selected for the component’s function, and some projects need subsequent processing.
What materials can be cut with a Waterjet?
| Material group | Example applications | What needs checking |
|---|---|---|
| Steel, aluminium and other metals | Blanks, parts, signs and structural elements | Grade, thickness, tolerances and surface condition |
| Stone and sintered slabs | Decorative pieces, openings and cladding parts | Brittleness, veining, material quality and edge distances |
| Ceramics and tiles | Inlays, shapes and service openings | Risk of chipping and the quality of the supplied tile |
| Glass | Shapes and elements before further processing | Glass type, edge condition and the next process |
| Plastics, rubber and layered materials | Seals, inserts and technical components | Reaction to water and the holding method |
This list is indicative. A specific material should be confirmed from a sample, its documentation and the quality requirements. Brittle, delaminating or unknown materials may need a cutting trial.
ALHEN machine parameters
According to ALHEN’s currently published information, the system operates at about 6,000 bar, has a working area of approximately 3,010 × 1,540 mm and a declared accuracy of up to 0.1 mm. Materials up to approximately 100 mm thick may be cut. These are machine parameters, not a guarantee for every part: achievable accuracy and maximum thickness depend on the material, geometry, edge quality and agreed cutting standard. Feasibility is confirmed for each project before an order.
How should a Waterjet cutting file be prepared?
- Supply geometry at 1:1 scale and state the unit, preferably millimetres.
- Remove duplicate lines, open contours and accidental points that could alter the toolpath.
- Separate parts that require different materials, thicknesses or cutting qualities.
- Add a control drawing with key dimensions, quantities and the visible face.
- State tolerances only where they are functionally required.
- Describe the material: type, grade, thickness, format and who supplies it.
Clear vector or CAD files are normally the most useful, but confirm the accepted format before submission. A photograph, unscaled scan or screenshot is generally insufficient for a production toolpath. If only a physical pattern exists, ask whether the geometry can be recreated.
What affects edge quality?
Important factors include head speed, material type and thickness, jet diameter, secure holding and the required appearance. Faster cutting may suit a blank that will be processed later; slower cutting may be chosen when the cut surface matters more. Corners, small holes and thin bridges are constrained by the jet size and the behaviour of the material.
State which edges will remain visible and whether the part will later be welded, painted, ground or installed without additional processing.
What should be supplied for a quotation?
- the geometry file and a PDF preview or control drawing;
- material type, grade and thickness;
- sheet or slab dimensions and who supplies it;
- the quantity of each part;
- required tolerances and edge quality;
- the visible face, pattern direction or grain;
- the deadline and collection or delivery method.
Cost is affected by machine time, path length and complexity, the number of piercings, material thickness and hardness, sheet utilisation, data preparation and any additional processing. Pricing therefore relates to a specific file and scope.
Frequently asked questions
Does Waterjet cutting heat the material?
The process does not create the heat-affected zone typical of thermal cutting. The material still needs to be assessed for contact with water and the action of the jet.
Can a part be quoted from a photograph?
A photograph helps explain the application, but accurate pricing needs dimensions, material, quantity and preferably a geometry file.
Can ALHEN cut customer-supplied material?
Working with supplied material requires agreement on its type, format, condition and available spare quantity. A trial or spare piece may be advisable for unusual material.
Waterjet cutting in Poznań — send your project
Send the file, preview, material parameters and quantity through the ALHEN contact form. We will check whether the information is complete and identify anything else needed for a quotation.
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