CNC Waterjet Cutting Stainless Steel from VT machining delivers precision Stainless Steel 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 Stainless Steel, which is corrosion resistant, strong, hygienic (304/316 grades).
CNC Waterjet Cutting Capability for Stainless Steel
- No heat-affected zone
- Thickness to 150+ mm
- Tolerance ±0.1 mm
- Any-metal capability
Stainless Steel Material Data
| Density | 8.00 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 515 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 205 MPa |
| Hardness | 170 HB |
| Melting point | 1400–1450 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 16.2 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 17.3 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 2.4% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 45% |
| Grades we run | 303, 304/304L, 316/316L, 321, 410, 416, 420, 17-4PH, 2205 duplex |
Published typical values for 304. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
It work-hardens the moment a tool dwells. Constant feed and positive-rake tooling; a rubbing pass leaves a glazed skin the next tool cannot get through.
How CNC Waterjet Cutting Stainless Steel Works
A focused fibre-laser beam melts and blows material from the Stainless Steel 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 Stainless Steel
| 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 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.
Design Tips for CNC Waterjet Cutting Stainless Steel
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 Stainless Steel. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Working with Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel is corrosion resistant, strong, hygienic (304/316 grades). 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.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Stainless Steel 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.
CNC Waterjet Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish
Laser-cut Stainless Steel 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.
Applications of CNC Waterjet Cutting Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel 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 Stainless Steel
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Stainless Steel 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 Stainless Steel
Three representative CNC Waterjet Cutting Stainless Steel 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.
Control panel face
- Material
- Stainless Steel
- 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.
Bracket blank
- Material
- Stainless Steel
- 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.
Battery busbar
- Material
- Stainless Steel
- Size
- 180 × 30 × 2 mm
- Key callouts
- Contour ±0.08 mm, hole ±0.05 mm
- Batch
- 2,000 pcs
Copper is cut on the fibre laser with a reflective-material head; not every shop can run it.
Finishing Options for Stainless Steel
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Citric passivation | — | ASTM A967 / AMS 2700, removes free iron |
| Electropolish | 5–25 µm removed | Ra improves by roughly half, hygienic surface |
| Brushed / grained | Ra 0.4–1.6 µm | No. 4 finish, directional |
| PVD coating | 2–5 µm | TiN, TiCN for wear surfaces |
| 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 Stainless Steel
- 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 Stainless Steel 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 Stainless Steel
Send the drawing, the Stainless Steel grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Can VT machining make custom Stainless Steel parts to my drawing?
Yes. Stainless Steel Stainless Steel cutting is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Waterjet Cutting Stainless Steel?
CNC Waterjet Cutting prototypes for Stainless Steel can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.
What surface finish is achievable on Stainless Steel with CNC Waterjet Cutting?
Laser cutting leaves a clean cut face on Stainless Steel with a small heat-affected zone; most parts need little secondary finishing.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Waterjet Cutting on Stainless Steel?
Laser cutting leaves Stainless Steel with a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge and only a small heat-affected zone.