Fabrication Service

Waterjet Cutting
in Orange County, CA

Any material, any thickness, zero heat-affected zone.

At a glance

We operate multiple OMAX abrasive waterjet systems with beds up to 5′×10′, cutting virtually any material up to 6 inches thick. The cold cutting process produces no heat-affected zone, no warping, no hardened edges, no molecular change to the material. Same-day quotes from our Orange, CA facility. We ship nationwide for specialty work including carbon fiber, G-10, composites, foam, and exotic materials most shops won’t touch.

Capabilities

Built for Precision.
Scaled for Production.

Our waterjet systems handle everything from single-piece prototypes to high-volume production runs. Multiple OMAX machines operate in parallel, which means we can take on rush work without disrupting scheduled jobs. The abrasive waterjet process cuts with a high-pressure stream of water mixed with garnet grit. We can cut virtually anything, from soft foam to titanium and hardened tool steel. There is no tooling to change, no dies to swap, and no setup time between different materials on the same sheet.

Tight
Tolerance · Material-Dependent
Up to 6″
Material Thickness
5′×10′
Max Cutting Bed
0 HAZ
Heat-Affected Zone
60,000 PSI
Operating Pressure
Multiple
Machines (parallel capacity)
Materials

Cut Anything.
Really.

Waterjet cuts by abrasion, not by melting or tearing, which means it handles virtually any solid material. That includes metals other processes struggle with (tool steel, titanium, hardened alloys), materials that can’t take heat (carbon fiber, G-10, composites, laminates), and fragile materials that a laser or saw would destroy (glass, foam, soft rubber). We cut stainless in thicknesses up to 6 inches and routinely handle stacked sheets of thinner material to get more parts per run. If you’re working with something exotic or you’ve been turned away from another shop, bring it to us first. The short list of things waterjet does not cut well is tempered glass (engineered to shatter on impact — not cuttable by any process), very thin films under 0.005″, and materials that absorb water permanently (some composites need to be sealed after cutting). Everything else is on the table.

SteelAluminumStainlessTitaniumCopperTool SteelCarbon FiberG-10CompositesStoneGlassAcrylicFoamRubber
Process Comparison

Waterjet vs Laser.
When Each One Wins.

Waterjet and laser cutting overlap on sheet metal work, but each process has a cleaner fit depending on material, thickness, and edge quality. The short version: if the material can’t take heat or needs to stay out of the heat-affected zone, waterjet. If the job is thin sheet metal in production quantities and edge quality needs to be weld-ready or paint-ready without secondary work, laser. Many of our customers use both. We run both processes in one shop, which lets us pick the right tool for each job and combine them on the same order.

Choose Waterjet When

  • Material can’t take heat (carbon fiber, G-10, composites)
  • Thickness exceeds 1/2″ (waterjet handles up to 6″)
  • Material is non-metallic (stone, glass, acrylic, foam)
  • Edge must be free of hardening or molecular change
  • Part geometry is complex with no tooling time available
  • Material is exotic or unusual

Choose Laser When

  • Thin sheet metal (up to ~1/2″ steel)
  • Production volume with repeating patterns
  • Edge quality needs to be weld-ready or paint-ready
  • Turnaround speed matters more than versatility
  • Material is standard carbon steel, stainless, or aluminum
  • Holes and slots are small and numerous

Not sure which process fits your job? Send us the file and we’ll tell you honestly. If laser is the better call, we’ll quote laser. If both processes work and waterjet gives the cleaner result, we’ll say so. One shop, one recommendation.

The Process

How Abrasive Waterjet Actually Works.

An abrasive waterjet cuts by accelerating a stream of water mixed with garnet abrasive through a small orifice at 60,000 PSI. The water itself doesn’t do most of the cutting. The garnet does. Water serves as the carrier that delivers abrasive grains to the cut line at extremely high velocity, roughly three times the speed of sound. On contact with the workpiece, the abrasive erodes a thin kerf (cutting line) through the material. Because the process is erosive rather than thermal, there’s no heat-affected zone, no recast layer, no molecular change, and no warping. The cut edge comes off the table ready for most applications without secondary processing.

01.

File Review

You send us a CAD file (DXF, AI, DWG, STEP) or a sketch, drawing, or physical sample. We review material, thickness, quantity, and tolerance requirements and identify any file prep work needed before cutting.

02.

Nesting & Programming

We nest your parts into the optimal material layout to minimize waste and program the cutting path with appropriate lead-ins, lead-outs, and tab strategy for part retention during cutting.

03.

Cutting

The job runs on one of our OMAX systems. Setup is minimal. No tooling changes, no die swaps. Multiple jobs can run in parallel across our machines.

04.

Inspection & Handoff

Parts are inspected against the original drawing and either staged for pickup at our Orange, CA facility or packed and shipped to your destination.

Applications

Built for Every Vertical.

Our waterjet work spans aerospace structural components, automotive prototype parts, medical device housings, defense and tactical equipment, architectural elements, tile and stone fabrication, film and entertainment props, energy sector parts, and industrial production runs. The same machine that cuts a titanium bracket for an aerospace customer in the morning cuts a marble tile inlay for a designer in the afternoon. Range is the point. If you can draw it or hand us a sample, we can cut it.

Aerospace

Structural brackets, panels, shims, and fittings in aluminum, titanium, and specialty alloys. Tight tolerances on critical parts.

Automotive

Prototype body panels, custom brackets, and aftermarket fabrication. Cut-to-bend workflows for custom exhaust and chassis components.

Medical Devices

Precision components in medical-grade stainless, titanium, and engineered plastics. Clean edges without heat-affected zones critical for implantable parts.

Defense & Tactical

Armor plate cutting, tactical equipment components, and ITAR-compliant production work.

Architecture

Ornamental metal, decorative panels, custom railings, and sign fabrication. Complex patterns cut cleanly in one pass.

Stone & Tile

Custom medallions, inlays, and precision tile cuts in ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite, and natural stone through our JP Dynasty division.

Film & Entertainment

Prop fabrication, set pieces, and production components for major studios. Precision work that holds up on screen.

Industrial Production

OEM parts, sheet metal components, gaskets, and custom fabrication for manufacturers across industries.

File Prep

What to Send Us for a Fast Quote.

The more complete the submission, the faster we can quote and cut. Ideal submissions include a vector file (DXF, AI, DWG, or STEP), the material specification, thickness, quantity, and any tolerance or finish requirements. Don’t have a CAD file? Send a dimensioned sketch, a photo of an existing part, or describe what you need. We convert most formats in-house and can work from just about anything that communicates the geometry.

DXFAIDWGSTEPPDFSketchSample
Turnaround

Same-Day Quotes.
Fast Turnaround.

Most quotes go out the same business day. Complex multi-process jobs may take until the following day. We do not quote blindly. If we need clarification on material, tolerance, or geometry, we pick up the phone before guessing. Standard lead times run 3–7 business days depending on complexity and queue. Rush work is available regularly; call 714-278-9874 and tell us your deadline. We’ll tell you honestly whether we can hit it. Pickup is available from our Orange, CA shop (1410 N Manzanita St) during business hours (Mon–Fri 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM). We ship nationwide via standard freight, palletized or crated as needed.

Same-Day
Quote Turnaround
3–7 Days
Standard Lead Time
Rush Available
Call for Rush Pricing
Example Work

Recent Waterjet Projects.

A small cross-section of recent waterjet work. We cut a lot more than we can show here. Browse the full gallery for more examples across all our fabrication capabilities.

Custom bracket set cut from 1/2-inch aluminum for an aerospace prototype. Tight tolerances on mounting holes.
Multi-material mosaic inlay combining marble, granite, and glass, fabricated through JP Dynasty for a residential floor installation.
Heavy steel plate work cut from 2-inch hot-rolled stock. Parts moved directly to our press brake for in-house forming.
Carbon fiber panel cut for a specialty manufacturer. No heat-affected zone means no delamination at the cut edge.
View Full Gallery →
Common Questions

Waterjet FAQs.

What materials can you cut with a waterjet?
Waterjet cuts virtually any solid material because the process is abrasive rather than thermal. We routinely cut carbon steel, stainless, aluminum, titanium, copper, brass, and tool steel across all tempers. Non-metals include stone (marble, granite, slate), ceramic, porcelain tile, glass, acrylic, carbon fiber, G-10, composites, foam, and rubber. The short list of materials waterjet does not cut well includes tempered glass (which is engineered to shatter on impact), very thin films under .005″, and certain water-absorbent composites that require post-cut sealing.
How accurate is your waterjet cutting?
Typical cutting tolerance can be as tight as ±.005″ depending on material, thickness, geometry, and edge quality requirements. Tighter tolerances are achievable on thinner materials with reduced cutting speed. On materials thicker than 1″, tolerance opens up slightly due to jet deflection through the material. We compensate in the CAM programming but exact spec varies with material and thickness. For critical parts, tell us your tolerance requirement upfront and we’ll confirm what’s achievable on your specific material before cutting.
What is the maximum thickness you can waterjet cut?
Our beds handle material up to 6 inches thick. Practical maximum depends on the material. Softer materials (aluminum, soft stone, foam) cut efficiently at full thickness; harder materials (tool steel, titanium) take more time at greater thicknesses. Above about 3 inches, cutting time becomes the constraint rather than capability. If your part is thicker than 6 inches, tell us anyway. We may be able to cut from two sides or split the stock into passes.
When should I choose waterjet instead of laser cutting?
Choose waterjet when your material can’t take heat (carbon fiber, G-10, composites), when thickness exceeds 1/2″ (laser is efficient up to about that), when the material isn’t metallic (stone, glass, acrylic, foam, rubber), or when your edge must be free of heat-affected zone and recast layer. Choose laser for thin sheet metal in production volumes where cycle time matters and the edge needs to be weld-ready. We run both processes in-house, so if you’re unsure, send the file and we’ll recommend the better fit honestly.
Do you offer rush waterjet cutting in Orange County?
Yes. Rush waterjet is available regularly. We keep capacity in reserve for time-sensitive work. Call 714-278-9874, describe your deadline, and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can hit it. Rush work carries a premium that we quote upfront; no surprise fees. Same-day cutting is possible on simpler jobs with available material on hand. Complex or material-dependent rush work typically runs 1–3 business days rather than standard lead time.
What file formats do you accept?
We prefer vector formats for fastest processing: DXF, AI, DWG, or STEP. PDFs work too. We extract geometry from print PDFs routinely. If you don’t have a CAD file, send a dimensioned sketch, a photo of a sample part, or describe what you need in enough detail to confirm geometry. We can convert most formats in-house and do basic design-to-file work if you’re starting from nothing. The more complete the submission, the faster the quote.
Do you ship cut parts nationwide?
Yes. We ship waterjet-cut parts nationwide via standard freight carriers. Parts are packaged appropriately for the material. Metals are typically palletized and strapped, stone and tile are crated, fragile or high-value parts ship in custom crates. Shipping cost is quoted alongside the cutting cost so you see the full delivered price upfront. Specialty and exotic material work (carbon fiber, G-10) ships to customers across the country regularly. We’re set up for nationwide fulfillment, not just local pickup.
Do you have minimum order requirements?
No. We have the lowest minimums in Orange County. A single prototype part is welcome and gets the same attention to quality as a production run. Single-piece fabrication, small batches, and large production runs all go through the same process. If you’re working on a prototype or one-off custom piece, that’s exactly the kind of work our range suits. Minimum charge applies to cover setup and material handling but there is no minimum quantity.

Ready to Start Your Next Project?

Send your file, tell us what you need, and we’ll get back to you fast.

Get a QuoteCall 714-278-9874