Every custom metal fabrication project starts with cutting. It’s where raw material starts to take shape. Waterjet cutting is the better fit for thick material and heat-sensitive parts, since it adds no heat to the metal. Laser cutting is faster and more accurate on fine detail in metal up to 1.0 inch thick. We also offer CNC punching and shearing. Here’s how waterjet and laser cutting compare.
How Does Metal Cutting Work?
Using a wide range of advanced machinery for precision-perfect metal cutting, GC Custom Metal specializes in transforming raw materials into custom, highly detailed finished products.
Guided by computer-generated DXF files, the final shape of the plates, sheets, bars, or more is meticulously carved from the raw metal material.
The Importance of Precision
When attention to detail is needed, you’ll find GC Custom Metal Fabrication. Certain industries, like innovative architectural projects or complex industrial projects, require a high level of precision in metal cutting. Quality and accuracy are vital to ensure a clean, flat, seamlessly integrated finished product.
Waterjet vs Laser Metal Cutting
No matter the material or cutting technique, every product is handled with care and consistency. Certain techniques are stronger than others, depending on the application, however.
Waterjet Cutting
In this process, a high-pressure water stream mixed with an abrasive material is used to cut through a wide range of materials and thicknesses.
Pros: Waterjet cutting can cut through thick materials and is more affordable than laser cutting. It’s slower, but it cuts with minimal impact on the material itself. This advanced machining process can handle everything from thin sheets to thick, heavy-duty materials with remarkable accuracy.
Whether you're working with metals like aluminum, stainless steel, or carbon steel, or plastics such as HDPE or polycarbonate, waterjet cutting delivers clean, consistent results across a wide range of materials.
One of the most important advantages of waterjet technology is that it introduces no heat input into the material. That means no heat-affected zones (HAZ), a critical factor when working with heat-sensitive materials, or when maintaining the structural integrity of a component is essential.
This lack of heat distortion also enables waterjet cutting to produce highly intricate and detailed cuts, even in very thick sections. While the process may be slower compared to other cutting methods, the precision and edge quality are unmatched.
If your project demands accuracy, material versatility, and a flawless finish without thermal damage, waterjet cutting is the solution.
Laser Metal Cutting
Just as the name would have you believe, this cutting process uses a high-power laser to cut materials. While the material is stationary, the cutting head moves to a pre-programmed design.
Pros: Laser cutting is more accurate for finer details on thinner materials, very fast, but can be more costly than waterjet cutting.
When production speed and consistent accuracy are essential, laser cutting is the go-to solution for high-volume metal fabrication. Known for its exceptional precision, repeatability, and efficiency, laser cutting excels at delivering clean, accurate cuts, fast.
Focusing specifically on metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon steel, laser cutting can process material up to 1.0 inch thick with remarkable speed and detail. Compared to waterjet cutting, the cutting speeds are significantly faster, making laser the ideal choice when tight turnaround times and high output are critical.
In addition to its cutting speed, modern automated material loading systems further enhance productivity, streamlining the process and reducing labour costs. For businesses with large volumes of parts to produce, laser cutting offers a perfect combination of speed, accuracy, and scalability.
If your operation requires fast, reliable, and repeatable cuts in metal, laser cutting provides a high-performance solution that keeps your production on time and on budget.
Our Metal Cutting Machinery:
- Amada 6kW Fibre Laser with Automation
- Omax 60120 Waterjet
- Amada Vipros 357 Queen Punch
- Amada Vipros 2510 King Punch
- Safan Darley M Shear 430-4 TS200
- Bandsaw
There’s no limit when it comes to what GC Custom Metal can cut for you with precision, quality, and craftsmanship, from carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and even brass. Request a quote to get started.
Family-owned and operated since 1982, GC Custom Metal blends in-house expertise, superior quality, and commitment to your vision to create industry-leading personalized metal fabrication solutions. Contact us today to experience precision-crafted quality and craftsmanship.