PRECISION CUTTING. NO LIMITS.
Waterjet Cutting
Services
High precision waterjet cutting for metal, plastic, stone, composite and more. From one-off prototypes to high-volume production, we deliver complex shapes and tight tolerances without heat distortion.
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Why Waterjet?
Waterjet cutting uses a high-pressure stream of water, often with abrasive, to cut virtually any material with exceptional precision. It’s a cold cutting process, meaning no heat-affected zone, no distortion, and no change to the material’s properties.
- Cuts a wide range of materials
- No heat distortion or heat affected zone
- Ideal for thick materials and complex shapes
- From prototypes to production runs
Waterjet Cutting in Practice
Real examples of the type of work we produce, from thick engineering components to intricate shapes and specialist materials.
Thick engineering components
Waterjet cut thick components.
Complex geometry
Cutting intricate shapes and details with precision.
Materials We Cut
From thick steels (including hardened tool steels), titanium, copper, and brass, to plastics, acrylics, wood, ceramics, stone, and even foam for case inserts, our waterjet machines handle it all. Unlike lasers, we can also cut reflective materials with ease.
Looking for engineering-grade precision? Our Taper Compensation Heads allow us to cut parts straight to final specification, eliminating the need for secondary finishing.
Our Waterjet Cutting Capability
Our waterjet cutting service is designed for demanding engineering and manufacturing applications where accuracy, material integrity, and flexibility are essential.
Typical capabilities include:
- Maximum cutting thickness: up to 200mm, depending on material
- Accuracy: high-precision cutting with consistent edge quality
- No heat-affected zone (HAZ): ideal for heat-sensitive materials
- No material distortion or hardening
If you’re unsure whether waterjet cutting is suitable for your application, our team is happy to advise.
Typical Waterjet Cutting Specifications
| Material | Typical Maximum Thickness | Typical Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Mild Steel | Up to 200mm | ±0.2mm (thickness dependent) |
| Stainless Steel | Up to 150mm | ±0.2mm (thickness dependent) |
| Aluminium | Up to 120mm | ±0.2mm (thickness dependent) |
| Plastics & Composites | Material dependent | ±0.15mm |
| Rubber, Foam & Soft Materials | Material dependent | High precision |
Abrasive Waterjet Cutting
For harder and thicker materials, we use abrasive waterjet cutting. This combines high-pressure water with a fine abrasive to deliver clean, accurate cuts in even the most demanding materials.
- Cuts thicker and harder materials
- Suitable for metals, stone, ceramics and composites
- Maintains material properties
- Ideal for complex shapes and tight tolerances
Industries & Applications
Our waterjet cutting services are used across a wide range of industries.
Engineering & Manufacturing
Precision components, brackets, plates, and structural parts cut accurately with no heat-affected zones.
Signage & Architectural Fabrication
Decorative metal, lettering, panels, and bespoke design features cut cleanly and accurately.
Industrial & Heavy Industry
Thick steel plates, hardened tool steels, and robust components where conventional cutting methods fall short.
Automotive & Motorsport
Custom parts, mounting plates, gaskets, and prototype components requiring tight tolerances and consistent quality.
Aerospace & High-Performance Applications
Heat-sensitive and high-value materials such as aluminium, titanium, and specialist alloys.
Foam, Rubber & Case Inserts
Precision-cut foam and soft materials for protective packaging, tool control systems, and bespoke cases.
Waterjet vs Laser Cutting
Both waterjet cutting and laser cutting offer high levels of precision, but each process is suited to different materials and applications. Choosing the right cutting method can improve part quality, reduce costs, and shorten lead times.
| Waterjet Cutting | Laser Cutting | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat input | No heat affected zone | Uses heat (small HAZ) |
| Material thickness | Suitable for thick materials | Typically better for thinner materials |
| Material range | Wide range (metals, plastics, stone, etc.) | Best for metals (some limitations) |
| Edge finish | Clean cut, no thermal distortion | Very clean, high-quality finish |
| Best for | Thick, heat-sensitive and complex shapes | Thin to medium thickness, high speed |
| Speed | Slower | Faster for high volume / thinner material |
Not sure which process is right for your project?
Because we offer both waterjet cutting and laser cutting, we can recommend the most efficient and cost-effective solution for your project based on material, thickness, tolerance, and quantity.
From Drawing to Finished Part
We can work from your drawings or CAD files and provide a complete cutting and folding package.
Why Choose North West Waterjet?
FAQs
We can waterjet cut a wide range of materials including mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, copper, brass, plastics, acrylics, composites, rubber, foam, stone and ceramics. If you are unsure whether your material is suitable, send us the specification and we can advise
Waterjet cutting is particularly well suited to thick materials. Our current published capabilities include mild steel up to 200mm, with maximum thickness varying according to the material and the requirements of the component.
No. Waterjet is a cold-cutting process, so it does not create a heat-affected zone. This helps preserve the original properties of the material and avoids problems such as thermal distortion or hardened cut edges.
Yes. We work on one-off components, prototypes and replacement parts as well as short production runs and repeat batches.
We can work from common CAD and drawing formats including DXF, DWG, STEP and PDF technical drawings. For the quickest quotation, include your material, thickness, quantity, tolerances and required delivery date where possible.
Our CAD support service can help turn a drawing, sketch or concept into a suitable cutting file. Send us what you have and we can advise on the next step.
It depends on the material, thickness, quantity and finish required. Waterjet is often better suited to thick, heat-sensitive and specialist materials, while laser cutting can be faster for thinner sheet metal and larger production quantities. Because we offer both processes, we can recommend the most appropriate option for your part.
Yes. North West Waterjet provides waterjet cutting, laser cutting, CNC folding and CAD support. Suitable projects can therefore move from drawing through cutting and folding without needing to be transferred between separate suppliers.
Request a Waterjet Cutting Quote
Upload your drawing or tell us what you need and we’ll get back to you with a competitive quote.
DXF, DWG, STEP and PDF files welcome.