CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel from VT machining delivers precision 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 Steel, which is strong, economical, widely available carbon/alloy grades.
Process Data for CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel
| Cutting speed at 10 mm | ~120 mm/min |
|---|---|
| Cutting speed at 25 mm | ~38 mm/min |
| Profile tolerance | ±0.1 mm; edge taper <0.05 mm with taper compensation |
| Heat-affected zone | None |
Shown for 1018 Steel, the most common Steel grade we see for CNC Waterjet Cutting. Typical values for 1018 Steel, Cold-drawn; confirmed on the first part.
CNC Waterjet Cutting Capability for Steel
- No heat-affected zone
- Thickness to 150+ mm
- Tolerance ±0.1 mm
- Any-metal capability
Steel material properties, finishing options and grade notes are on our CNC Laser Cutting Steel page.
How CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel Works
A focused fibre-laser beam melts and blows material from the 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.
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 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.
Design Tips for CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel
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 Steel. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
CNC Waterjet Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish
Laser-cut Steel 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.
Applications of CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel
CNC Waterjet Cutting of Steel 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 Steel Parts for CNC Waterjet Cutting
Illustrative examples of CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel 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.
Gasket / shim set
- Material
- Steel
- 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
- Steel
- 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.
Bracket blank
- Material
- 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.
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 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 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 Steel
Send the drawing, the 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 Steel parts to my drawing?
Yes. 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 CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel and how is it done?
CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel refers to abrasive waterjet cutting erodes metal with a high-pressure abrasive stream, with no heat-affected zone. Applied to Steel — strong, economical, widely available carbon/alloy grades — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
Does CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel require dedicated tooling?
Most Steel cutting work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
What surface finish is achievable on Steel with CNC Waterjet Cutting?
Laser cutting leaves a clean cut face on Steel with a small heat-affected zone; most parts need little secondary finishing.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel?
Laser-cut Steel thickness depends on the alloy and its reflectivity; we tune the fiber source and assist gas accordingly.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Waterjet Cutting Steel?
CNC Waterjet Cutting prototypes for 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.