What Material Can Waterjet Cut?
One of the first questions people ask about waterjet cutting is, "What materials can it cut?" The answer often surprises them.
Unlike many cutting technologies that are optimized for a specific material group, an OMAX waterjet can cut an incredibly wide variety of materials using the same cutting system. From metals and plastics to composites, stone, glass, foam, and wood, waterjet technology offers a level of flexibility that few manufacturing processes can match.
This versatility is one of the biggest reasons manufacturers, fabricators, job shops, schools, and research facilities choose waterjet cutting.
Cut Plastics and Acrylics with Ease
Many shops use OMAX waterjets to cut common plastics and engineered materials. Materials such as acrylic, PVC, and other plastics can be accurately processed without requiring specialized tooling changes.
Because the same cutting system is used across different material types, operators can move quickly between applications while maintaining a simple workflow.
Process Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals
Waterjets are well known for their ability to cut metal. Stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, and many other ferrous and non-ferrous materials can all be processed using the same machine.
This flexibility allows manufacturers to move between different metal types without changing cutting tools or reconfiguring the equipment. Whether cutting production parts, prototypes, or custom components, the same OMAX waterjet can handle the job.
Handle Advanced Composites and Laminates
Modern manufacturing often relies on advanced materials such as carbon fiber, Kevlar-reinforced composites, G10, phenolic materials, and fire-resistant laminates.
These materials are commonly found in aerospace, electrical, industrial, and high-performance applications. An OMAX waterjet can cut these composites using the same cutting head used for metals and plastics, helping reduce setup time and simplify production.
For manufacturers processing multiple material types, this versatility can be a significant advantage.
Cut Stone, Glass, Foam, and More
The material list does not stop with metals and composites.
OMAX waterjets are also capable of cutting natural stone, engineered stone, glass, foam, rubber, leather, and wood. This broad material compatibility allows businesses to take on a wider range of projects without investing in multiple cutting systems.
From industrial applications to artistic designs and custom fabrication, waterjet technology gives operators the flexibility to work with materials that would normally require several different machines.
One Machine, Virtually Endless Material Possibilities
The real advantage of an OMAX waterjet is not just that it can cut a specific material. It is that it can cut so many different materials using the same machine.
Instead of changing tooling, swapping cutting heads, or moving between specialized systems, operators can often load a new material, select the appropriate cutting parameters, and get to work.
Whether you're cutting stainless steel, aluminum, acrylic, PVC, carbon fiber, Kevlar composites, G10, glass, stone, foam, wood, or something else entirely, there is a good chance an OMAX waterjet can handle it.
That versatility helps simplify production, reduce setup time, and expand the types of jobs a shop can take on.