You may have heard a lot about water jet technology being a much more versatile and better alternative than other options. However, in terms of running costs, is the investment really justified? What are the waterjet cutting costs that need to be considered?

In this article, we’ll provide you with a complete overview of the costs associated with operating a waterjet cutter, including a brief cost comparison between waterjet and laser cutting technologies, as well as the factors influencing waterjet cutting costs.

So let’s jump into it!

How Does a Waterjet Cutter Works?

Think of water jet as a process similar to the natural erosion of riverbanks, where the river’s energy undercuts the bank. Waterjet cutting uses the same concept but in a controlled and high-speed manner, made possible by a combination of CNC technology and ultra-high pressure systems.

A water jet works by running water into a high-pressure pump, increasing its pressure up to 90,000 psi. This pressurized water then travels through a tubing structure to the cutting head, where it is focused through a diamond orifice, creating a supersonic jet capable of cutting through almost anything.

The above method is known as pure water jet cutting, which is ideal for cutting soft materials such as foam and rubber. However, for hard and thick materials, the abrasive is mixed with water in the nozzle area through the abrasive feed line. This increases the cutting power and enables it to handle more difficult jobs.

Is Waterjet Cutting Expensive? Why Are Water Jet Cutters So Expensive?

Although waterjet cutting machines may seem expensive to purchase and have a higher cost per hour than traditional methods, the overall project benefits far outweigh the costs and should not be overlooked.

Considering the benefits of waterjet cutting, such as no heat-affected zones, the ability to stack multiple parts, minimal secondary machining required, recycling capabilities, very high versatility, and cutting precision, it proves to be a more cost-efficient option overall.

Ultimately, the specific application of a waterjet machine will determine its value as an investment, but it often excels in a variety of uses over other cutting techniques.

How Does Waterjet Cutting Cost Calculate?

In order to accurately calculate the costs associated with cutting a material or executing a project using a water jet cutter, it’s important to determine two major factors:

Material Type/Thickness: The time it takes to cut varies depending on the material. By identifying the material type and thickness, you can calculate the cutting time per inch (as specified by the manufacturer).

Final Cut Size: You’ll also need to figure out the final width and length of the cut you want to achieve with the water jet, and then you can calculate the total inches of cutting required by adding the two.

By multiplying the time needed for cutting per inch and the total inches to be cut, you can easily determine the total cost for waterjet cutting.

Is Waterjet Cutting Cheaper Than Laser Cutting?

Although laser cutters have a higher initial cost than waterjets, their hourly operating costs are generally more attractive, with laser cutters costing $13-$20 per hour versus $15-$30 for waterjets. Although not a huge difference but still significant when we are talking about bigger projects.

However, when we also account for the upfront costs and all the applications of waterjet cutting, waterjet is generally more economical than CNC laser cutting. Only the waterjet components will cost a bit more because of the consumables otherwise they don’t even require tooling.

ٖFurthermore, laser cutting is a more budget-friendly option for thinner materials, while waterjet is better at handling thicker parts and those with heat and materials sensitive to heat.

Major Factors That Affect Waterjet Cutting Costs

When using a water jet cutter, there are additional costs to consider other than the initial purchase price. Here are four important factors to keep in mind when evaluating waterjet cutting costs.

Abrasive Cost: Abrasive makes up 70% of the total cost, with garnet costing around 25 cents per pound.

Water Cost: Water is also a significant cost factor in waterjet cutting, with a 1000-gallon supply costing $3.

Electricity Cost: Powering the waterjet is another a major cost factor, with pricing mostly based on location.

Cost of Wear Parts: As with any machine, regular wear and tear of parts can cost $7,700 to $32,000 per annum.

Water Jet Cutting Cost Per Hour

Typically, the cost of operating a water jet cutter ranges from $15-$30 per hour. This covers several aspects, including abrasive consumption at 25 cents per pound, electricity cost of 7.46 cents per kilowatt, wear parts cost of $5-$22 per hour, and water cost of $3 per 1000 gallons. All these costs are rough estimates and will depend on your location and current prices.

Abrasive consumption is a significant expense and depends on garnet flow and consumption, which in turn depends on the size of the pump and the operating hours involved in the cutting project. Please note that these figures may be higher or lower based on the specific cutting configuration or project requirements.

Water Jet Cutting Cost Per Inch

The cost per inch for waterjet cutting can fluctuate based on factors such as material type, part dimensions, and specific waterjet system configuration. To illustrate this, let’s use an online water jet cutting cost calculator provided by Hypertherm as an example.

In this scenario, we would choose titanium (1.40) with a thickness of 1.2 inches, a 75 hp pump, a cutting pressure of 60,000 psi, a Q3 – average cut quality, and an orifice/nozzle size of 0.007/0.020. Many other parameters are also given which can be selected according to your needs.

The resulting cost per inch, as shown in the screenshot below, is $0.21 per inch and $1.20 per minute. In addition, this calculator also shows us how much electricity, abrasive and water will cost per hour based on the rates we provided.

How Much Does a Water Jet Cutter Cost?

In the above discussion, we analyzed the hourly operating costs of a water jet cutter. However, you may also be curious about the initial investment and costs associated with these machines.

Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer. Different pricing options are available for different requirements and specifications. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Budget-friendly picks: $30,000-$60,000. These are starter machines with essential features, suitable for small projects.

Mid-range commercial models: $60,000-$200,000. Equipped with advanced capabilities and designed for large-scale projects.

Custom-built Models: $200,000-$400,000 and up. Custom machines designed to meet the unique needs of specific projects.

Note: For an accurate estimate of machine or hourly cost based on your specific requirements and materials, we recommend contacting us at IVYCNC. Our experienced team, with over a decade of experience in the realm of CNC, is committed to providing the best solutions for acquiring waterjet cutting equipment.

Conclusion

Waterjet technology is rapidly making a name for itself in many industries, from aerospace and automotive to food processing. 

If you are also planning to adopt this technology, knowing the exact costs involved in water jet cutting can contribute to more informed decision making. 

Although you may find Waterjet’s hourly rates a bit more high, when looking at the overall project costs, it turns out to be an economically sound investment.