CMS Active

€250,000 - €600,000 (~$275,000 - $660,000 USD) Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

Accuracy

±0.05 mm (±0.002 in)

Repeatability

±0.025 mm (±0.001 in)

axis configuration

5-axis (X, Y, Z linear + A, B rotary) gantry waterjet

cutting angle range

±60 degrees from vertical

table size options

2,000 x 1,500 mm to 4,000 x 2,000 mm (custom larger formats available)

z axis travel

400 mm (16 in) standard

Overview

The CMS Active is CMS Industries' flagship waterjet cutting platform, a 5-axis gantry machine designed for high-precision cutting of stone, marble, engineered surfaces, aerospace composites, and technical ceramics. CMS (Costruzioni Macchine Speciali), headquartered in Zogno, Italy, is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of high-end machining centers for the stone, glass, and aerospace composites sectors. The Active brings CMS's Italian engineering heritage — typically associated with their stone machining centers and aerospace-grade milling machines — to the waterjet cutting discipline, with a machine designed for applications where surface finish, cut quality, and material damage minimization are more important than raw throughput speed.

The Active uses a full 5-axis cutting head mounted on a rigid bridge gantry, providing up to ±60 degrees of cutting angle from vertical. This enables the machine to cut true compound bevels, undercuts, and edge profiles in natural and engineered stone, as well as complex aerospace panel shapes in composites and titanium. The machine is available in several gantry span configurations to handle material sizes from 2,000 x 1,500 mm up to 4,000 x 2,000 mm, with larger custom formats available for aerospace applications. CMS integrates KMT or BFT high-pressure pump systems, typically at 60,000 PSI, with 90,000 PSI options for metal cutting applications requiring maximum cutting speed.

The CMS Active is particularly well-regarded in the marble and stone fabrication industry for its ability to cut intricate inlay patterns, sculptural profiles, and edge treatments that would otherwise require extensive hand finishing. The machine's rigidity and accuracy — positioning to ±0.05 mm — enables repeatable inlay work that mates stone pieces without visible gaps. For aerospace customers, the Active's cold-cutting waterjet process eliminates the heat-affected zone critical for composite laminates and titanium alloys used in structural aerospace components.

CMS Active systems are priced from approximately €250,000 to €600,000 depending on table size, pump configuration, 5-axis head specification, and optional accessories such as automated material handling and suction fixturing for stone processing. CMS sells through a global dealer network with particularly strong presence in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, the Middle East, and North America. The Active competes with Waterjet Sweden's X5 in the European 5-axis waterjet market and with Flow's Mach 500 in aerospace composite cutting applications.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Axis Configuration	5-axis (X, Y, Z linear + A, B rotary) gantry waterjet
Cutting Angle Range	±60 degrees from vertical
Table Size Options	2,000 x 1,500 mm to 4,000 x 2,000 mm (custom larger formats available)
Z Axis Travel	400 mm (16 in) standard
Positioning Accuracy	±0.05 mm (±0.002 in)
Repeatability	±0.025 mm (±0.001 in)
Gantry Type	Fixed bridge with moving table or moving gantry (configuration dependent)
Pump Type	KMT or BFT intensifier (60,000 PSI standard; 90,000 PSI optional)
Pump Horsepower	30 HP to 100 HP
Primary Applications	Stone, marble, engineered surfaces, aerospace composites, ceramics, titanium
Software	CMS proprietary CAM + optional integration with Alphacam, Mastercam
Abrasive	Garnet 80 mesh standard
Machine Weight	Approx. 5,000-12,000 kg depending on configuration

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Italian-engineered gantry rigidity designed for stone processing — handles heavy marble and granite slabs with the structural stability required for repeatable inlay and profile cutting
True 5-axis (±60 degrees) cutting enables compound bevels, undercuts, and sculptural profiles in stone and aerospace materials in a single waterjet setup
400 mm Z-axis travel accommodates thick stone slabs, raised fixtures, and material stacks that shallower waterjet machines cannot handle
Strong CMS applications engineering support for stone, marble, and aerospace composites — the company's core market segments

Limitations

Premium Italian-manufactured machine with pricing well above equivalent-area Flow or OMAX waterjet tables
CMS's primary expertise is stone machining — metal cutting job shops may find Flow or OMAX better optimized for general steel/aluminum waterjet work
Dealer network and service coverage in North America is thinner than Flow's or OMAX's, with longer parts lead times for some components

Best For

Stone fabricators, countertop manufacturers, and architectural stone companies requiring precision waterjet cutting of marble, granite, quartzite, and engineered stone for inlay and custom profiles Aerospace composite manufacturers cutting CFRP panels, fiberglass assemblies, and Nomex honeycomb structures where cold-cutting is required and surface quality is critical Ceramic and advanced materials manufacturers cutting precision shapes in technical ceramics, alumina, zirconia, and similar hard brittle materials European and Middle Eastern stone processing facilities where CMS's regional presence and Italian-language support are operational advantages

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is CMS Industries and why are they making waterjet machines?

CMS Industries is an Italian manufacturer of high-precision CNC machining centers, primarily known for their stone, glass, and composite machining systems. Their clientele includes kitchen countertop manufacturers, architectural stone studios, aerospace Tier 1 suppliers, and yacht builders cutting composite panels. The CMS Active waterjet is a natural extension of their stone and composite machining product line — many of their customers need both CNC routing and waterjet cutting for the same materials.

02 How does the CMS Active compare to Waterjet Sweden X5?

Both are European 5-axis waterjet machines in a similar price bracket. The CMS Active has deeper roots in stone and marble fabrication and has stronger stone industry dealer support in Italy, Spain, and the Middle East. Waterjet Sweden's X5 has stronger presence in automotive and Scandinavian aerospace. Both use KMT pumps. The software systems are different — CMS integrates with Alphacam and Mastercam more readily; Waterjet Sweden uses their proprietary 5-axis CAM. For stone applications, CMS's application knowledge is typically deeper.

03 Can the CMS Active cut full kitchen countertop slabs?

Yes. Stone countertop slabs typically measure 3,000 x 1,500 mm, which fits within the CMS Active's larger table configurations. The machine can cut sink cutouts, cooktop cutouts, custom edge profiles, and decorative inlay patterns in a single setup. The 5-axis head enables edge chamfers and beveled edges that would otherwise require separate edge-profiling equipment. CMS also offers suction cup fixturing systems optimized for stone slab processing.

04 What aerospace applications is the CMS Active suited for?

The CMS Active is used for cutting CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) aircraft panels, Nomex honeycomb core sections, fiberglass fairings, and titanium structural brackets. Waterjet's cold-cutting process is preferred over laser and routing for aerospace composites because it eliminates the heat-affected zone, delamination risk, and resin smearing associated with thermal or mechanical cutting processes. The machine's ±0.05 mm accuracy meets aerospace dimensional requirements.

05 Is the CMS Active available in North America?

Yes, CMS has North American representation and has installed machines in the United States and Canada, particularly in aerospace supply chains and high-end stone fabrication facilities. However, the dealer network is thinner than Flow's or OMAX's, and field service response times may be longer for certain regions. North American buyers should confirm local dealer coverage and parts availability as part of the evaluation process.