Waterjet Cutting Machines
ACCURATE CUTTING. ZERO HEAT. TOTAL CONTROL.
Discover Kerf’s waterjet cutting machines – built for precision cutting, flexibility, and performance on virtually any material.
At Kerf Developments, we supply high-quality waterjet cutting machines trusted by manufacturers across a wide range of industries. Whether you’re cutting soft materials like rubber and foam or dense materials like stainless steel, glass, composites, or titanium, our abrasive waterjet cutting systems deliver exceptional results with no heat-affected zone, no hardening, and no distortion.
Our water jet cutting machines are designed for intricate cuts, exceptional positional accuracy, and reliable operation. Backed by full UK and Ireland support, training, spare parts, and consumables, Kerf offers a complete solution to power your production process with minimal waste and maximum consistency.
How Does Waterjet Cutting Work?
Waterjet cutting is a mechanical cutting method that uses an ultra-high-pressure pump to force water through a small nozzle, creating a high-velocity stream. When mixed with garnet abrasive material, this stream becomes powerful enough to cut through virtually any material – including metals, carbon fibre, ceramics, stone, glass, plastics, and more.
Unlike thermal processes such as plasma or laser, a waterjet cutter generates no heat. This cold process preserves material integrity, making it the preferred method for applications requiring clean edges and no heat distortion.
Each Kerf waterjet system is fitted with a precise cutting head and advanced motion control. This enables accurate, repeatable cutting of thin materials, thicker materials, and complex shapes – all without compromising finish or quality.
Why Choose Abrasive Waterjet Cutting?
✔ Cold Cutting – No thermal distortion, hardened edges, or heat-affected zone
✔ Exceptional Precision – Ideal for intricate cuts and tight nesting
✔ Versatile Materials – Cut virtually any material, including rubber, plastic, titanium, and glass
✔ Eco-Conscious Process – Uses water and natural garnet abrasive for clean operation
✔ Minimal Waste – Narrow kerf width and accurate control, reducing scrap material
✔ No Tool Changes – The same cutting head works across different materials and thicknesses
✔ Easy to Modify – Quickly reprogram for new components or custom profiles
✔ Quiet Operation – Lower noise compared to other cutting machines
oxy-Fuel
Cutting Machines
For the best quality and the most precise cuts on thicker material, OXY-FUEL profile cutting machines are certainly an excellent option to explore. At Kerf, your first choice for CNC cutting machine manufacturing, we can provide a wide range of different OXY-FUEL cutting machine options. Oxy-fuel cutting is a method that has been around for more than a century, dating back to 1907. However, it is still widely used today and is a critical technology in many sectors.
To cut metals, oxy-fuel cutting uses a mix of fuel gases and oxygen. A number of fuels may be used, with propane being the most popular. Speak to Kerf about our profile cutting machines to find out more.
Fiber Laser
Cutting Machines
Kerf’s fiber laser systems are engineered for high-speed profiling of mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. With their low operating costs, reduced maintenance, and excellent edge quality, they’re ideal for fabricators and manufacturers who need accuracy without compromise.
Whether you're cutting thin sheets or intricate profiles, our fiber laser machines offer unbeatable repeatability and reliability.
Plasma
Cutting Machines
Plasma cutters pass an electric arc through gas (often compressed air), which converts into a plasma arc that is used to cut through the metal. The interaction of gases, an electric arc, and a concentrated area of pressure within the cutting torch results in an electrically conductive ionised gas, commonly known as plasma.
Waterjet
Cutting Machines
Not only can this cutting method get through almost any material you ask it to, it also leaves you with little to no waste, and it is an extremely accurate profile cutting method. When it comes to choosing a cutting system that will offer you everything you need, waterjet cutting ticks all the boxes.
Waterjet cutting employs an abrasive grit carried by an ultra-high-pressure stream of water. This results in a smooth, precision-cut surface without a heat-affected zone.
Waterjet is the most adaptable method since it can cut nearly any material; even carbon steel is no match for it. Waterjet cutting is an extremely accurate process; It features a narrow kerf width, which allows for the cutting of delicate contours and the production of high-tolerance components.
Waterjet Cutting Across Industries
Kerf waterjet cutting systems are used in:
- Aerospace and aviation
- Automotive and vehicle manufacturing
- Medical device and surgical tool production
- Signage and creative design
- Foam, rubber and composite manufacturing
- General engineering and metals fabrication
Whether you need high-speed cutting, flexibility with various materials, or accuracy for fine features, our water jet cutting systems deliver reliable results.
Optima Waterjet Cutting Machine
Precision. Performance. Flexibility.
The Optima is our flagship water jet cutting machine – engineered for serious throughput and minimal maintenance.
Cutting Area: Customisable bed sizes to fit your workshop layout
Accuracy: ±0.1mm positioning with high-speed gantry movement
Pump Options: Efficient high-pressure pump options delivering up to 60,000 psi
Axis Control: Advanced X, Y and Z axes and an optional 5-axis head for bevel and 3D profiling
Supports cutting of materials, including:
Aluminium, Brass, Copper, Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Tool Steel, Acrylic, Foam, Nylon, Polypropylene, Rubber, Carbon Fibre, Ceramic, Glass, Granite, Kevlar, Marble, and more.
Real Results with Kerf Waterjet Technology
Kerf machines are helping customers across the UK and Ireland to reduce costs, improve speed, and cut a broader range of materials with precision.
Case in point: Hobbs Precision Engineering
Part of the Great British Valve Group, Hobbs invested in a Kerf Optima 320 twin-head waterjet machine to bring clamp ring and end plate production in-house.
Switching from subcontracting to in-house cutting delivered:
- Over £50,000 saved annually on two component types
- Lead times reduced from four weeks to just one day
- Greater control over quality, traceability, and stock
- Extra revenue through subcontracted water jet cutting services
The Optima 320 handles up to 125mm thick materials, including super duplex steel, aluminium bronze, and foam. Its flexibility and reliability have transformed Hobbs' manufacturing and created a new profit centre.
“We’ve slashed costs, improved turnaround times, and the support from Kerf has been the best we’ve experienced.”
— Craig Llywellyn, Machine Shop Manager, Hobbs Precision Engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What materials can a waterjet cut?
Waterjet cutting works on almost any material – from rubber and soft foams to glass, ceramics, composites, carbon fibre, and metals like stainless steel, aluminium, and titanium.
2. How thick can a waterjet machine cut?
Kerf waterjet systems can cut through materials over 250mm thick, depending on the machine configuration and material.
3. Does Waterjet cutting affect the material's structure?
No. This cold cutting method avoids heat, stress, and distortion – preserving the original properties of the material.
4. What is garnet abrasive and why is it used?
Garnet abrasive is a natural, hard mineral used in waterjet systems for its cutting power, durability, and consistent finish.
5. How accurate is Waterjet cutting?
Kerf waterjet machines provide precision cutting with accuracy up to ±0.1mm – suitable for prototypes, detailed parts, and production runs.
6. Is Waterjet cutting suitable for production?
Absolutely. The versatility, speed, and consistent quality make waterjet cutting ideal for batch production, custom parts, and subcontract services.
Ready to Talk Waterjet Cutting?
If you're looking for clean, precise cuts with minimal waste and the ability to handle virtually any material, Kerf has the waterjet cutting solution for you.
📞 Call us | 📩 Get a quote or Book a Demo
Trusted by UK and Irish manufacturers across industries — discover why more businesses are switching to Kerf.
