Laser Cutting vs. Waterjet Cutting: Choosing the Best Process for Your Next Project
When it comes to cutting flat sheets, two processes add significant value for our customers: laser cutting and waterjet cutting. At CAMM Metals, we’ve invested significantly in both of these capabilities because each has unique strengths that make it ideal for specific applications.
Because waterjets have improved so much in recent years, there is no major difference in quality between the processes for many applications. Instead, this decision often comes down to material type and thickness, and whether heat is a factor in the finished product.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the key differences between these services, offer some common use cases, and demonstrate how our team helps customers choose the right process for their project.
What Makes Laser Cutting a Good Fit?
For many projects, laser cutting services are by far the best option. Modern laser machines are incredibly fast, precise, and capable of producing clean edges across a wide range of metals, including:
Steel
Stainless steel
Aluminum
Brass
Copper
Certain superalloys
We can laser cut components up to 60” by 120” with impressive accuracy and repeatability.
Critical benefits: Speed and efficiency
Laser cutting is typically the faster metal cutting operation, especially for thin to medium sheet metal. When time is critical, our fabrication shop may turn to laser cutting processes to maximize throughput.
When Waterjet Cutting Is the Superior Choice
Waterjet cutting services offer advantages that lasers simply can’t match, making them the right selection for certain applications.
Critical benefits: No heat, no oxidation
Because waterjet cutting is a cold process, it prevents structural changes in sensitive materials. For instance, aerospace metals like titanium, Inconel, Waspaloy, and Hastelloy are best processed with waterjets to avoid risks from heat.
Additionally, this process leaves a clean edge with no oxide layer, allowing parts to move straight into welding services without secondary cleanup. Tapped holes can also be created without needing to remove an oxide layer, saving time and cost.
Why laminated and thicker materials benefit from waterjet
Waterjets are ideal for laminated materials such as carbon fiber. That’s because heat from a laser can melt the adhesive holding these laminates together, while waterjets cut them cleanly, without additional heat. In fact, we find that waterjet cutting often outperforms CNC machining services for composites because it avoids tool wear that can occur with these tricky materials.
When it comes to thickness, our waterjets can handle plates up to 6” thick, compared to the ½” maximum for our lasers.
Why Choose CAMM Metals for Metal Cutting Services?
As a sheet metal fabricator with over 20 years of experience in metal cutting and a full suite of precision fabrication services, CAMM Metals has a lot to offer our customers.
Experience: We have over two decades of experience cutting a range of materials, from aerospace metals to composites to steel.
Speed: Our team takes scheduling seriously and prioritizes customers’ timelines.
Capacity: Large-format tables for both lasers and waterjets allow us to process oversized parts or run multiple components at once.
Collaboration: If customers aren’t sure which method best suits their needs, we are happy to quote both laser and waterjet cutting options. This side-by-side comparison helps determine the right balance of cost, lead time, and quality.
Beyond Cutting: Full-Service Metal Fabrication
At CAMM Metals, metal cutting is just a portion of what we’re capable of. Waterjet and laser cutting feed into our broader capabilities, including sheet metal bending, welding, assembly, and more. With a range of services under one roof, our team ensures consistency and top-quality results.
Looking for a trusted fabrication partner that can guide you through the best cutting process for your future projects? Contact CAMM Metals today!