Flow Mach 500 CNC Waterjet Cutting System

$200,000 – $600,000 depending on table size and pump configuration Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Cutting Area

4x4 ft up to 26x14 ft (custom configurations available)

Maximum Pressure

90,000 PSI (6,200 bar)

Pump Options

HyPlex Prime 50/100 HP, Waterjet 60/100 HP

Cutting Head

Standard 5-axis or Dynamic Waterjet XD (taper compensation)

Maximum Material Thickness

200 mm (8 in) steel; thicker with reduced speed

Positioning Accuracy

±0.05 mm (±0.002 in)

Overview

The Flow Mach 500 is a premium production waterjet cutting system offering the cutting surface area and throughput demanded by aerospace, defense, and tier-1 automotive suppliers. Built on Flow's proven X-Y bridge design with a stainless-steel waterjet table, the Mach 500 accepts cutting areas from 4x4 feet up to 26x14 feet with a maximum part weight of several tons. The machine is compatible with Flow's HyPlex Prime and Waterjet pump lines, delivering pressures up to 90,000 PSI for high-speed cutting with narrow kerf. The Mach 500 can be configured with Flow's Dynamic Waterjet XD cutting head, which actively compensates for jet lag and taper on thick cuts, enabling true 5-axis waterjet machining for compound bevel cuts and aerospace skin panels. FlowMaster software, Flow's proprietary CAM and control platform, manages all aspects of cutting including pressure ramping, tool path generation, and automatic abrasive flow control. The Mach 500 is used in aerospace (composite skin cutting), defense (titanium armor plate), and precision metal service centers.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Cutting Area	4x4 ft up to 26x14 ft (custom configurations available)
Maximum Pressure	90,000 PSI (6,200 bar)
Pump Options	HyPlex Prime 50/100 HP, Waterjet 60/100 HP
Cutting Head	Standard 5-axis or Dynamic Waterjet XD (taper compensation)
Maximum Material Thickness	200 mm (8 in) steel; thicker with reduced speed
Positioning Accuracy	±0.05 mm (±0.002 in)
Repeatability	±0.025 mm (±0.001 in)
Abrasive Flow	0.1 – 1.0 kg/min (garnet)
Control	FlowMaster CAM/CNC software
Drive System	Linear bearing, ballscrew on X/Y/Z

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Flow Dynamic Waterjet XD eliminates kerf taper for near-net-shape accuracy
90,000 PSI UHP pressure enables fast cutting on thick materials
FlowMaster software is purpose-built for waterjet with intelligent path planning
Scalable table sizes from compact to 26x14 ft for aerospace-scale parts
Cuts virtually any material — metals, composites, glass, ceramics, stone

Limitations

High capital cost for large table + UHP pump combinations
Abrasive consumption (garnet) is significant operating cost
Not suitable for very thin materials where jet force causes deflection
UHP pump seals require regular maintenance to sustain 90,000 PSI operation

Best For

Aerospace manufacturers cutting composite skins, titanium, and aluminum Defense contractors processing armor plate and exotic alloys Precision metal service centers offering close-tolerance waterjet parts Automotive tier-1 suppliers cutting gaskets, seals, and structural panels

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the advantage of the Dynamic Waterjet XD head?

The XD head actively tilts the cutting nozzle to compensate for jet lag and taper inherent to waterjet cuts. The result is square edges on thick cuts and compound bevel angles, enabling true 5-axis waterjet machining for aerospace and structural applications.

02 How does abrasive waterjet cutting compare to laser for metals?

Waterjet produces no heat-affected zone, which is critical for titanium, hardened steels, and composites where heat distortion or metallurgical changes are unacceptable. Laser is faster on thin sheet but cannot match waterjet on thick plate or heat-sensitive materials.

03 What pump pressure is needed for cutting titanium?

Titanium cutting typically uses 60,000–90,000 PSI with 0.5–0.8 kg/min abrasive flow. The 90,000 PSI HyPlex Prime pump maximizes cut speed and reduces striation on titanium above 10 mm thickness.