Buying guide – how to choose the right waterjet cutting machine

1. What is waterjet cutting – and why choose it?

Waterjet cutting is an advanced cutting technique that uses a high-pressure water jet, often mixed with abrasive (garnet sand), to cut through materials such as metal, plastic, stone, composites, rubber and glass. Unlike lasers or plasma, it avoids heat impact completely.

Advantages of waterjet cutting

• High precision without heat deformation or hardening.
• Versatile for almost any material – from thin foils to thick sheets.
• Minimal post-processing and smooth finish.
• Environmentally friendly: no smoke, toxic gases or slag.

Ideal for industries such as manufacturing, construction and design. Read more about waterjet cutting benefits here or compare with other methods here.

2. What type of production do you have?

Identify your needs to choose the right machine:

• One-piece manufacturing: Prioritize flexibility and fast setup with CAD/CAM software.
• Mass production: Focus on automation, reliability and high speed.
• Prototyping: Choose versatility for complex shapes and rapid changes.

Tip: Kimtech’s experts will analyze your production volume and help customize the machine. Book a consultation here for personalized advice.

3. Choose the right size of waterjet cutting machine

Size determines capacity, floor space and investment. Kimtech standard models for waterjet cutting include:

• XY-Small: Compact for smaller parts and limited space (e.g. workshops).
• XY-Medium: All-round for medium-sized projects and flexible production.
• XY-Large: For large materials and high rates, ideal for industrial scale.
• XY-Micro: For micro-cutting very small parts with extremely high precision.

Choose based on your material sizes – see full specifications here.

4. Think about how advanced the cutting needs to be

Technical levels match your requirements for precision:

• 3-axis waterjet cutting: For straight cuts in flat materials – basic and cost-effective.
• 5-axis waterjet cutting: For inclined cuts, bevels and 3D shapes up to 45 degrees.
• Tilter function: Automatic compensation for angular deviation (conicity) in thick materials.

For high precision in demanding applications, choose a machine with Tilter – perfect for metal and stone. Discover our advanced systems here.

5. Choose the right pump for your waterjet cutting machine

The high pressure pump is the heart of the system. It creates the pressure and water flow that controls the cutting speed and the entire production capacity. Kimtech collaborates with Flow Systems and offers models from small direct drive pumps (for low volume) to large intensifiers up to 100 hp.

Most customers choose the standard pressure of 4000 bar (about 58 000 PSI) – it is sufficient for most applications and provides good cost efficiency. The premium option of 6000 bar (approx. 87,000 PSI) is more expensive but offers advantages such as higher speed, better penetration in thick materials and lower abrasive consumption. The pump accounts for almost half the machine cost, so choose the right model for your needs.

A common mistake is to add more cutting heads without upgrading the pump. Here’s why it doesn’t work:

• More heads share the flow of the pump.
• This leads to lower flow per head.
• The result: slower cutting and lower efficiency.

Many competitors market extra heads, but without more pumping capacity it becomes inefficient. Instead, optimize with Flow Systems pumps that match your volume – read more about pumps here.

6. Review the control system of the waterjet cutting machine

An intuitive CNC control system is the key to efficiency. Kimtech solutions offer:

• Clear overview and easy programming via CAD/CAM.
• Quick troubleshooting and customizable templates.

Ask for a demo to test the interface – it reduces learning time. Learn more about our control systems here.

7. operational safety and maintenance of waterjet cutting machines

Downtime costs time and money. Kimtech guarantees high operational reliability with:

• Robust components that withstand 4000-6000 bar pressure.
• Remote support for immediate help, around the clock.

Choose service contracts for preventive maintenance and spare parts. See our support options here.

8. consider the total cost of waterjet cutting – not just the price

The price of the machine is the starting point, but consider the whole picture:

• Service and spare parts: Low cost with good availability.
• Energy consumption: Efficient pumps reduce electricity bills.
• Material cost: Recyclable abrasive and low water consumption.
• Maintenance intervals: Longer life with the right plan.

A durable machine from Kimtech means lower total cost of ownership over time. Request a cost calculation here.

9. Checklist for buying waterjet cutting machine

Use this waterjet cutting machine checklist to make the right decision:

• What materials should you cut? (E.g. metal, stone – see material guide here.)
• How much detail is involved? (Select XY size accordingly.)
• How much should you produce? (Single or series?)
• What precision is required? (E.g. ±0.08 mm – read about tolerances here.)
• What are your service needs? (Remote support or onsite?)

Answer these for a tailored recommendation.

10. Next step – contact Kimtech for waterjet cutting

Ready to invest in a waterjet cutting machine? Contact us for free advice, demo or quote. With 41 years of experience, we’ll help you from planning to installation – start your inquiry here.