CNC Waterjet Cutting Kovar is a core capability at VT machining. We combine controlled cutting with material-aware setup for Kovar — an alloy that is matched thermal expansion for glass/ceramic seals — to produce parts that meet your specification first time.
CNC Waterjet Cutting Capability for Kovar
- No heat-affected zone
- Thickness to 150+ mm
- Tolerance ±0.1 mm
- Any-metal capability
Kovar Material Data
| Density | 8.36 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 517 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 340 MPa |
| Hardness | 140–160 HV |
| Melting point | 1450 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 17.3 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 5.1 (30–200 °C) ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 3.5% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 35% |
| Grades we run | Kovar / ASTM F15, Alloy 42, Alloy 52 |
Published typical values for Kovar (ASTM F15). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Sealing surfaces must stay clean. Parts destined for glass-to-metal seals are degreased and handled without bare hands after final machining.
How CNC Waterjet Cutting Kovar Works
A focused fibre-laser beam melts and blows material from the Kovar 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.
We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Waterjet Cutting Kovar
| 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.
Design Tips for CNC Waterjet Cutting Kovar
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Keeping holes no smaller than the material thickness, allowing for kerf, and grouping features sensibly improves edge quality and nesting yield on Kovar. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Working with Kovar
Kovar is matched thermal expansion for glass/ceramic seals. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.
Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.
CNC Waterjet Cutting Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
CNC Waterjet Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish
Laser-cut Kovar holds contour tolerances around ±0.05 mm depending on thickness, with a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge.
The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Kovar parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
Applications of CNC Waterjet Cutting Kovar
Kovar parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order CNC Waterjet Cutting Kovar
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Kovar grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Parts We Have Run in Kovar
Three representative CNC Waterjet Cutting Kovar jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.
Gasket / shim set
- Material
- Kovar
- Size
- Ø120 × 0.5 mm
- Key callouts
- ID/OD ±0.05 mm, no heat discolouration
- Batch
- 3,000 pcs
Small-diameter holes below 1.2 × thickness are punched, not lased.
Machine guard panel
- Material
- Kovar
- Size
- 900 × 600 × 3 mm
- Key callouts
- Slot pattern ±0.10 mm, hole-to-edge 6 mm
- Batch
- 150 pcs
Cut with common-line pairs to halve the pierce count.
Control panel face
- Material
- Kovar
- 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.
Finishing Options for Kovar
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
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 Kovar
- 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 Kovar 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 Kovar
Send the drawing, the Kovar grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Which industries use CNC Waterjet Cutting Kovar parts?
CNC Waterjet Cutting Kovar parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Kovar components are required.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Waterjet Cutting on Kovar?
Laser cutting leaves Kovar with a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge and only a small heat-affected zone.
What surface finish is achievable on Kovar with CNC Waterjet Cutting?
Laser cutting leaves a clean cut face on Kovar with a small heat-affected zone; most parts need little secondary finishing.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Waterjet Cutting Kovar?
CNC Waterjet Cutting prototypes for Kovar can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.