Flow International Mach 500 5-Axis Waterjet

$350,000 – $750,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Repeatability

± 0.0008 in

Cutting Area

1,500 x 3,000 mm to 4,000 x 8,000 mm (configurable)

Pump Pressure

60,000 psi (4,150 bar) — HyPlex Prime intensifier

Pump Power

30 – 56 kW

Max Cutting Thickness

250 mm steel

Positioning Accuracy

±0.075 mm linear; ±0.1° angular

Overview

The Flow International Mach 500 5-Axis is a production-grade CNC waterjet cutting system that integrates full 5-axis motion capability into a mid-to-large format cutting platform. Available in cutting areas from 1.5 x 3 m up to 4 x 8 m, the Mach 500 5-Axis is designed for manufacturers who need to cut bevels, chamfers, countersinks, and complex 3D profiles from flat stock without secondary operations or fixturing.

The machine's Dynamic Waterjet XD cutting head provides ±60 degrees of A-axis tilt and full 360-degree C-axis rotation, enabling true 5-axis motion in a compact head assembly. Flow's proprietary taper compensation algorithms calculate and correct for the natural kerf taper of a waterjet stream in real time, producing cut faces that are square or intentionally angled to specification — a capability critical for weld-prep cuts, aircraft skin panels, and architectural geometry. The head integrates a proximity sensor for automatic standoff control, maintaining optimal cutting distance as material surface variations are encountered.

Powered by Flow's HyPlex Prime intensifier pump at 60,000 psi, the Mach 500 5-Axis delivers consistent pressure and flow with lower operating noise and reduced pulsation. The HyPlex Prime design features an inverted intensifier configuration that improves cylinder seal life and simplifies maintenance access. Water consumption and abrasive feed rates are optimized through Flow's SmartStream cutting model, which calculates the ideal combination of parameters for each programmed path segment.

The Mach 500 5-Axis is a preferred platform for aerospace sub-tier suppliers, job shops serving the energy sector, and custom architecture fabricators. Its combination of 5-axis capability, mid-range table size, and proven pump technology make it one of the most versatile production waterjet systems in Flow's catalog.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Cutting Area	1,500 x 3,000 mm to 4,000 x 8,000 mm (configurable)
Pump Pressure	60,000 psi (4,150 bar) — HyPlex Prime intensifier
Pump Power	30 – 56 kW
Max Cutting Thickness	250 mm steel
Positioning Accuracy	±0.075 mm linear; ±0.1° angular
Cutting Speed	Up to 5,500 mm/min (material dependent)
Control System	FlowCUT 5-axis CNC software; FlowMaster controller
Machine Weight	Approx. 9,000 – 20,000 kg (table size dependent)
Rapid Traverse Maximum	700 in/min
Linear Positional Accuracy	± 0.0005 in
Repeatability	± 0.0008 in
Z Axis Travel	12 in, 24 in
Work Envelope	Mach 500 2020: 6’-6” x 6’-6”Mach 500 3020: 10’-0” x 6’-6”Mach 500 3060: 10'-0" x 20'-0"Mach 500 4020: 13'-1" x 6'-6"Mach 500 4080: 13'-1" x 26'-0"
Acceleration	0.1 g
Ballbar Circularity	± 0.0025 in

Specifications sourced from flowwaterjet.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Full 5-axis motion (±60° A-axis, 360° C-axis) enables bevel, chamfer, and countersink cuts from flat stock
Real-time taper compensation produces square or precisely angled cut faces without secondary operations
HyPlex Prime pump features inverted intensifier for extended seal life and easier maintenance
SmartStream cutting model automatically optimizes parameters per path segment

Limitations

5-axis programming is more complex than 3-axis waterjet and requires operator training
Higher capital cost than comparable 3-axis systems of the same table size
Abrasive and water consumable costs are substantial in high-volume 5-axis production

Best For

Aerospace sub-tier suppliers cutting weld-prep profiles and complex aircraft components Job shops producing net-shape 3D profiles from flat plate for energy and defense customers Architectural metal fabricators creating faceted, beveled, and sculpted cladding panels

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the maximum bevel angle achievable on the Mach 500 5-Axis?

The Dynamic Waterjet XD head on the Mach 500 5-Axis provides ±60 degrees of A-axis tilt from vertical. In practice, cutting quality is best maintained at angles up to 45–50 degrees, beyond which stream divergence may affect edge finish depending on material thickness and hardness.

02 Is 5-axis waterjet programming handled within FlowCUT?

Yes. FlowCUT includes full 5-axis toolpath generation, automatic taper compensation calculation, and collision avoidance for the cutting head. Operators can import 3D part geometry in common formats (STEP, DXF, DWG) and generate 5-axis programs directly within FlowCUT without requiring a separate CAM package.

03 How does the HyPlex Prime pump differ from Flow's older intensifier designs?

The HyPlex Prime uses an inverted intensifier cylinder orientation that places seals in a more favorable loading position, extending mean time between seal replacements by approximately 30% compared to earlier Flow pump designs. The inverted layout also simplifies access for seal changes, reducing planned maintenance downtime.