Cold Profile Cutting
Custom Waterjet Cutting
Cut thick, layered, brittle, or heat-sensitive materials without a conventional thermal cutting zone.
- Metals
- Aluminum, steel, stainless, copper, brass, titanium
- Nonmetals
- Composites, gasket stock, rubber, foam, plastics, stone
- Advantage
- Low heat input with flexible thickness capability
Applications
Flexible cutting where heat or thickness matters
Thick Plate
Profiles, blanks, bases, and near-net shapes for later machining.
Heat-Sensitive Stock
Reduce concerns around thermal distortion or metallurgical heat effects.
Composites
Cut carbon fiber, G10/FR4, phenolic, and other selected laminates.
Soft Sheet Materials
Produce gaskets, seals, insulation, foam, rubber, and protective layers.
Materials
Common waterjet materials
Cut Quality
Match edge quality to the part's function
Higher edge-quality settings trade cutting speed for smoother surfaces and reduced taper. Identify holes, mating edges, cosmetic zones, and features that will be machined later so the route can be optimized.
Rough Blanks
Prioritize material yield and speed when all critical geometry will be machined.
General Profiles
Balance edge condition and cost for brackets, plates, guards, and structural parts.
Finished Edges
Request a higher cut-quality level or secondary finishing for visible or mating surfaces.
Critical Features
Call out tolerances, edge perpendicularity, hole requirements, and any machining allowance.
Design Guidance
Plan for kerf, taper, and piercing
Avoid Fragile Bridges
Small gaps and narrow webs can move or erode during cutting.
Allow for Thickness
Thicker material can increase taper and reduce the practical size of fine features.
Define Pierce Restrictions
Explain whether pierce marks are permitted and identify cosmetic or high-stress regions.
Add Machining Stock
Near-net blanks should include enough allowance for final machining and workholding.
FAQ
Waterjet questions
What is the difference between laser and waterjet?
Laser is typically fast for common sheet metal. Waterjet supports a broader material range and thicknesses with little thermal input.
Can waterjet parts be machined afterward?
Yes. Near-net waterjet blanks can reduce saw and roughing work before CNC machining.
Can you cut gasket materials?
Many rubbers, corks, foams, and gasket sheets can be evaluated. Include material specification, thickness, and contamination restrictions.
Cut Without Conventional Heat