CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass from VT machining delivers precision Brass parts produced to your exact drawing. Abrasive waterjet cutting erodes metal with a high-pressure abrasive stream, with no heat-affected zone, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Brass, which is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish.
Process Data for CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass
| Cutting speed at 10 mm | ~210 mm/min |
|---|---|
| Cutting speed at 25 mm | ~66 mm/min |
| Profile tolerance | ±0.1 mm; edge taper <0.05 mm with taper compensation |
| Heat-affected zone | None |
Shown for C360 Brass, the most common Brass grade we see for CNC Waterjet Cutting. Typical values for C360 Brass, Half-hard; confirmed on the first part.
CNC Waterjet Cutting Capability for Brass
- No heat-affected zone
- Thickness to 150+ mm
- Tolerance ±0.1 mm
- Any-metal capability
Brass material properties, finishing options and grade notes are on our CNC Laser Cutting Brass page.
How CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass Works
A focused fibre-laser beam melts and blows material from the Brass sheet along the programmed contour. Power, focal position, nozzle stand-off and assist-gas pressure are tuned to the alloy and thickness for a clean, square edge.
Every job begins from your CAD model or 2D drawing. Fixturing and tool paths are planned so the most critical dimensions are produced in the most rigid, repeatable setup. Critical dimensions are checked on the first part and monitored through the run.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Contour dimension | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Hole diameter | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Kerf width | 0.20 mm | 0.10 mm |
| Squareness of cut edge | 0.5° | 0.2° |
| Heat-affected zone | 0.15 mm | 0.05 mm (N₂ assist) |
| Minimum hole diameter | 1.2 × thickness | 1.0 × thickness |
| Edge condition | light dross | burr-free, N₂ cut |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
CNC Waterjet Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish
Laser-cut Brass holds contour tolerances around ±0.05 mm depending on thickness, with a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge.
Final tolerances are governed by the material's behaviour, wall thickness and overall stiffness. We give honest DFM feedback if a callout would be costly or better achieved another way.
Design Tips for CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. Keeping holes no smaller than the material thickness, allowing for kerf, and grouping features sensibly improves edge quality and nesting yield on Brass. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Applications of CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass
CNC Waterjet Cutting of Brass supports parts across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor, energy and general industrial sectors. We scale from one-off prototypes to ongoing production while holding the same quality.
Typical Brass Parts for CNC Waterjet Cutting
Illustrative examples of CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass parts and the callouts that usually drive the process plan. They show the kind of work that fits this process; they are not specific customer orders.
Bracket blank
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- 250 × 120 × 4 mm
- Key callouts
- Contour ±0.10 mm, bend-relief notches
- Batch
- 800 pcs
Bend reliefs cut in at the same time so the press brake does not tear the corner.
Control panel face
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- 400 × 300 × 1.5 mm
- Key callouts
- Cutout position ±0.10 mm, no dross on visible face
- Batch
- 600 pcs
Cut with nitrogen so the edge takes powder coat without secondary grinding.
EMI shield can
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- 60 × 45 × 0.3 mm
- Key callouts
- Contour ±0.05 mm, tab width 0.5 mm
- Batch
- 5,000 pcs
Nested 96-up per sheet; nesting is where the cost comes out of a part this small.
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Brass grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for CNC Waterjet Cutting
Other Processes for Brass
Send the drawing, the Brass grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What surface finish is achievable on Brass with CNC Waterjet Cutting?
Laser cutting leaves a clean cut face on Brass with a small heat-affected zone; most parts need little secondary finishing.
What is CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass and how is it done?
CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass refers to abrasive waterjet cutting erodes metal with a high-pressure abrasive stream, with no heat-affected zone. Applied to Brass — free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass?
Laser-cut Brass thickness depends on the alloy and its reflectivity; we tune the fiber source and assist gas accordingly.
Why is Brass a good choice for CNC Waterjet Cutting?
Brass is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish, which makes it well suited to CNC Waterjet Cutting. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Brass cutting part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
Does CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass require dedicated tooling?
Most Brass cutting work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
Which industries use CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass parts?
CNC Waterjet Cutting Brass parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Brass components are required.