Calculate precise waterjet cutting costs for metals, stone, glass, and composites. Estimate abrasive usage, machine time, and operational expenses.
Material Specifications
Waterjet can cut 0.5mm to 300mm+ thickness
Cost of full material sheet
Custom Sheet Dimensions
Cutting Parameters & Quality
Total length of all cutting paths
±0.2mm
Each pierce adds 5-30 seconds
Number of identical pieces
Machine & Abrasive Configuration
Typical: $80-$200/hour
Garnet: $0.30-$0.60/kg
Auto-calculated based on nozzle size
Auto-updates based on material
Cut width - typically 0.8-1.2mm
Estimated Abrasive Consumption
Calculating based on cut length and material...
Operational & Additional Costs
Material loading, programming, calibration
Per liter of water used
Consumables replacement cost
Waterjet Cutting Cost Analysis
Cost Per Piece
$187.50
Total Project Cost
$187.50
Cutting Time
50 min
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Machine Time Cost
$100.00
Based on hourly rate
Abrasive Cost
$18.75
Garnet consumption
Material Cost
$45.00
Including kerf loss
Labor & Setup
$23.75
Setup and operation
Resource Consumption
Abrasive Used
41.7 kg
Garnet 120 Mesh
Water Consumption
208 liters
High-pressure water
Electricity Used
41.7 kWh
Pump operation
Time Analysis
Method Comparison
Cost Optimization Recommendations
Based on your parameters, nesting multiple parts could reduce material waste by 15-25%. Consider standard tolerances unless high precision is required.
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Quentions
1. How much does waterjet cutting cost per hour?
Waterjet cutting costs range from $80-$200 per hour depending on system size and sophistication. Small systems (30-50HP) cost $80-$120/hour, while industrial systems (75-150HP) cost $120-$200/hour. Additional factors like material type, thickness, and precision requirements also influence final costs.
2. What is the biggest cost factor in waterjet cutting?
Abrasive garnet typically represents 25-40% of operational costs, followed by machine time (20-30%) and labor (15-25%). For expensive materials, the raw material cost can exceed operational costs. A typical breakdown: abrasive 35%, machine time 25%, labor 20%, utilities 10%, consumables 10%.
3. How long does waterjet cutting take compared to other methods?
Waterjet is generally slower than laser or plasma but faster than wire EDM. Cutting 25mm stainless steel: waterjet 100mm/min, laser 150mm/min, plasma 300mm/min, wire EDM 25mm/min. However, waterjet can cut any material without heat damage, making it preferable for many applications.
4. What materials can waterjet cut that other methods cannot?
Waterjet uniquely cuts materials sensitive to heat (plastics, composites), hardened materials (tool steel, ceramics), layered materials (laminates), and materials of any thickness (up to 300mm+). It's the only method that cuts virtually any material without altering material properties.
5. How much abrasive does waterjet cutting use?
Abrasive consumption ranges from 0.3-1.0 kg per hour depending on nozzle size and material hardness. A standard 0.33mm nozzle uses 0.4-0.5 kg/hour cutting steel, while a 0.46mm nozzle uses 0.7-0.9 kg/hour. Annual consumption for a busy shop can exceed 20,000 kg.
6. What's the minimum thickness for waterjet cutting?
Waterjet can cut materials as thin as 0.5mm, though optimal results start at 1mm. Very thin materials require special fixturing and lower pressures to prevent deformation. There's no maximum thickness limit theoretically, though practical limits are around 300mm for most materials.
7. How accurate is waterjet cutting?
Standard waterjet cutting achieves ±0.1-0.2mm tolerances, while high-precision systems can reach ±0.05mm. Accuracy depends on machine quality, abrasive consistency, and cutting speed. Taper (angled edges) is typically 0.1-0.5 degrees depending on thickness and speed.
8. Can waterjet cut reflective materials?
Yes, waterjet easily cuts reflective materials like copper, brass, and aluminum that challenge laser systems. Since waterjet doesn't use thermal energy, material reflectivity doesn't affect cutting capability, making it ideal for highly reflective materials.
9. What's the cost difference between 5-axis and 3-axis waterjet?
5-axis waterjet systems cost 40-80% more per hour than 3-axis systems due to complex mechanics and programming requirements. However, 5-axis eliminates taper and enables complex bevel cuts, often justifying the premium for specific applications like aerospace components.
10. How does water pressure affect cutting costs?
Higher pressure systems (60,000-90,000 PSI) cut 20-40% faster than standard 38,000 PSI systems but consume 15-25% more energy and experience faster consumable wear. The optimal pressure depends on material mix and production volume, with high-pressure systems being more cost-effective for hard materials.
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