Waterjet Cutting

Waterjet cutting uses an ultra-high-pressure water stream combined with an abrasive substance, to cut metal and plastic parts from sheet materials. Chiggo offers a cost-effective and on-demand solution for your manufacturing needs.

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Our High Quality Waterjet Cutting Service 

Controlled by CNC (Computer Numerical Control) systems, our waterjet cutting uses extremely high-pressure water mixed with an abrasive substance to cut through materials of various thicknesses for prototypes, one-offs, and broader industrial applications. 


Traditionally, waterjet cutting has been viewed as a slow and costly process. However, our automated waterjet process, coupled with our extensive experience, enables us to provide quick, efficient, and cost-effective waterjet services for businesses.

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Waterjet Cutting Service

Advantages of Waterjet Cutting

Saving time and money on your project is just the beginning. Compared to laser cutting, waterjet cutting services are the ideal solution for unusual and thick materials that require quality edges. It's one of the most popular methods for cutting raw materials, and for good reason:

Advantages of Laser Cutting
 Waterjet-Cutting-2

High Precision

Controlled by CNC and free from heat distortion, waterjet cutting can achieve high precision, with tolerances even as tight as ±0.005 inches.

Superior Edge Quality

By optimizing the combination of water speed, pressure, nozzle size, and abrasive flow rate, the waterjet cutting process achieves smooth, uniform, burr-free edges that often require no further finishing.

No Heat Affected Zone (HAZ)

Waterjet cutting is a cold-cutting technique, which means it does not generate heat like laser or plasma cutting during the process. Consequently, there is little to no heat affected zone (HAZ), significantly reducing the risk of altering the material properties through thermal stress.

Material Versatility

CNC waterjet cutters easily switch from pure water to abrasive cutting and can cut virtually any material. For instance, they effectively handle materials that are reflective, heat-sensitive, or non-conductive—often unsuitable for laser or plasma cutting.

Cost-Effectiveness

Waterjet cutting is highly economical as it requires no tool changes and minimal edge treatment or secondary finishing, which significantly saves time. Additionally, the ability to tightly nest parts on a metal sheet maximizes material utilization and minimizes waste, thereby effectively reducing overall costs.

Safe and Sustainable

Unlike laser and plasma cutting, waterjet cutting uses water and garnet abrasive, which do not produce harmful byproducts that might endanger human operators or the environment. Additionally, the water used in the process can be recycled, which reduces waste and costs while enhancing energy efficiency.

Waterjet Cutting Design Guidelines

Maximize the quality and efficiency of your waterjet cut parts by following our recommended design guidelines:

Minimum Feature Size

Features should be at least twice the material thickness, with a minimum of 0.125" (3.18mm), to maintain cut quality.

Tolerances

Standard tolerances of +/- 0.005" (0.13mm) can be expected, with variances based on material properties and design details.

Material Thickness

While waterjet cutting is optimal for materials up to 6" (152mm) in thickness, cutting thicker materials may increase cut times and potentially result in wider kerf widths.

Kerf Width

A typical kerf width ranges from 0.030" to 0.040" (0.76mm to 1.02mm), with variations depending on the cutting head and material.

Corner Radii

All internal corners will be rounded, with a standard minimum radius of 0.032" (0.81mm) due to the waterjet stream's diameter.

File Formats

For 2D designs, formats such as .dxf, .dwg, .ai, or .eps are preferred; for 3D models, please provide .step or .stp files.

cnc-water-jet-cutting-4

Level up Your Waterjet Cut Parts

In addition to using waterjet cutting to shape metals and plastics of various thicknesses, waterjet cutting is also the ideal method for processing composite materials such as Carbon Fiber and G10/FR-4. Moreover, we offer a variety of finishing options to enhance the appearance and functionality of your parts. If you need custom materials or finishes not listed here, please contact us.

  • Aluminum 5052 H32
    Aluminum 

    Excellent strength-to-weight ratio & corrosion-resistant.

  • Aluminum 2024-T3
    Stainless Steel

    Superior corrosion resistance & highly durable.

  • Aluminum 6061 T6
    Carbon Steel

    Great strength and durability & widely used in construction.

  • Aluminum 7075 T6
    Brass

    Great strength ,durability & widely used in construction.

  • AR400 Steel
    Copper

    Outstanding electrical conductivity & preferred for electrical uses.

  • AR500 Steel
    Titanium

    Strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant & ideal for aerospace and medical.

  • Nickel Alloy

    Excellent corrosion resistance and high-temp stability & suited for extreme environments.

  • Acrylic
    Mechanical plastics

    Includes ABS, Nylon, Polycarbonate, PEEK, and more.

  • Derlin(POM)
    Arclic

    Also known as Plexiglas, it is clear, durable, and resistant to UV light and weathering.

  • Derlin(POM)
    Carbon Fiber

    Lightweight, incredibly strong.

  • Derlin(POM)
    G10/FR-4

    The go-to material for electronic parts & marine applications.

  • Derlin(POM)
    LE Phenolic

    Commonly used for countertops, terminal bases, and propeller blades.

  • Anodizing
    Anodizing

    Increases corrosion and wear resistance on aluminum laser cut parts, enhancing surface hardness and offering a variety of color options.

  • Bead blasting
    Bead Blasting

    Achieves a uniform matte finish free of machining marks or imperfections, often a preparatory step before other surface treatments.

  • Powder coating
    Powder Coating

    Adds a uniform, durable layer of color to metals, available in many shades for a long-lasting finish.

  • Electroplating
    Electroplating

    Provides functional, decorative, or anti-corrosive finishes, with chrome-plating for auto parts being a common use.

  • Polishing
    Polishing

    Produces a glossy surface that improves visual appeal and minimizes light scattering.

  • Brushing
    Brushing

    Creates a textured, non-reflective finish that masks fingerprints or light scratches.

Gallery of Waterjet Cut Parts

Here are some waterjet cutting projects we have worked for our customers.

  • waterjet cutting part 2
  • waterjet cutting part 3


  • waterjet cutting part 1


Why Waterjet Cutting with Chiggo


  • Rapid Turnaround

    Waterjet cutting is computer-controlled, resulting in a high degree of automation. Additionally, our comprehensive management systems, including CRM and ERP, streamline processes, ensuring smoother operations and on-time delivery of your orders.

  • Assured High Quality

    Our factory is ISO 9001:2015 certified and has over a decade of experience. We maintain a well-established quality management system and a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring traceability from raw materials to delivery. Not satisfied with your parts? We offer a 30-day guarantee for refunds or replacements.

  • Competitive Pricing

    All cutting operations are done in-house, which means no middleman costs and thus the best prices for you. Our advanced nesting capabilities ensure minimal material waste, making large-scale production more cost-effective.

  • Professional Support

    Our knowledgeable team is always ready to provide you with expert advice and assist in optimizing your designs for manufacturing. We aim for a win-win partnership, ensuring you get the best results.

  • Rapid Turnaround

  • Assured High Quality

  • Competitive Pricing

  • Professional Support

How to Choose the Right Cutting Method for Your Project

We offer various cutting methods for your different project . To help you select the method that best fits your requirements, we provide a direct comparison between waterjet cutting and other cutting techniques.

Attribute Water jet Cutting Laser Cutting Plasma Cutting
Materials Almost all materials including metals, stone, ceramics, composites Metals, plastics, some composites Metals, particularly conductive types
Max Material Thickness Up to 8''(203mm) m for metals, more for softer materials Up to 1'' (25mm)for metals, less for reflective materials Up to 2''(50mm) for most metals
Material StressMinimal, no heat-affected zoneCan cause thermal stress, HAZSignificant thermal stress, HAZ
CostHigh, due to operational costsModerate to high, varies with material and thicknessLower, especially for thick metals
Cutting WasteMinimal, mostly water and garnet operational costsModerate, includes fumes and particulate matterModerate to high, includes fumes and slag
Need for Secondary FinishingLow, often produces a smooth edgeVariable; may require cleaning or deburring based on materialHigh, often requires grinding or deburring
ShapeCapable of cutting complex 2D and 3D shapesBest for 2D shapes; limited 3D capabilityPrimarily 2D shapes; not suitable for complex 3D shapes
Precision

High precision, especially with fine abrasivesExtremely high precision, best for detailed work

Lower precision compared to waterjet and laser
Cutting SpeedGenerally slower than laser and plasmaFast, especially for thin materialsFast for most metals, especially thinner materials

This table is meant to serve as a general guideline, specifics can vary widely depending on the exact machinery , technology used, and material being cut.

Applications of Waterjet Cutting

Waterjet cutting offers extensive versatility in terms of material types and thickness compared to other cutting methods, making it invaluable across numerous industries.

  • Stage Application
  • Industry Application