Flow Mach 500 CNC Waterjet Cutting System

Est. $200,000 – $600,000 Specs verified 2026-10-03 · flowwaterjet.com Updated 2026-10-03

Key Specifications

Z Travel

12 in, 24 in (305 mm, 610 mm)

Rapid Traverse

700 in/min (17.8 m/min)

Accuracy

± 0.0005 in (± 0.0127 mm)

Repeatability

± 0.0008 in (± 0.02 mm)

work envelope

2020: 6'-6" × 6'-6"; 3020: 10'-0" × 6'-6"; 3060: 10'-0" × 20'-0"; 4020: 13'-1" × 6'-6"; 4080: 13'-1" × 26'-0" (2020: 2 m × 2; 3020: 3.05 m × 2; 3060: 3.05 m × 6; 4020: 4 m × 2; 4080: 4 m × 8 m)

acceleration

0.1 g

How much does the Flow Mach 500 CNC Waterjet Cutting System cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$200,000 – $600,000

Our best estimate for a cnc waterjet cutting in this class — not a quote from Flow International. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The Flow Mach 500 is a waterjet cutting system that Flow offers in five work envelopes, from the 2020 at 6'-6" × 6'-6" up to the 4080 at 13'-1" × 26'-0" (4 m × 8 m). Across all of them Flow lists 700 in/min (17.8 m/min) rapid traverse, 0.1 g acceleration and Z travel of 12 in or 24 in (305 mm or 610 mm).

Envelope is the main decision. The 2020, 3020 and 4020 are all 6'-6" in one direction and 6'-6", 10'-0" and 13'-1" in the other, sizes that take single sheets. The 3060 at 10'-0" × 20'-0" and the 4080 take long plate, or two sheets end to end so one can be unloaded while the other is cut. Longer tables also mean longer moves between nests, and that is where the rapid rate decides how much time is spent not cutting.

The Z choice deserves the same thought. 12 in (305 mm) covers flat sheet and plate, while 24 in (610 mm) leaves clearance for tall fixtures, tube and formed parts. Positioning accuracy is listed at ± 0.0005 in (± 0.0127 mm), repeatability at ± 0.0008 in (± 0.02 mm) and ballbar circularity at ± 0.0025 in (± 0.0635 mm).

One neighbour sits above the model. The Mach 700 lists 1,417 in/min (36 m/min) and envelopes that run to 16'-4" × 78'-9".

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Rapid Traverse Rate	700 in/min (17.8 m/min)
Positioning Accuracy	± 0.0005 in (± 0.0127 mm)
Repeatability	± 0.0008 in (± 0.02 mm)
Z-Axis Travel	12 in, 24 in (305 mm, 610 mm)
Work Envelope	2020: 6'-6" × 6'-6"; 3020: 10'-0" × 6'-6"; 3060: 10'-0" × 20'-0"; 4020: 13'-1" × 6'-6"; 4080: 13'-1" × 26'-0" (2020: 2 m × 2; 3020: 3.05 m × 2; 3060: 3.05 m × 6; 4020: 4 m × 2; 4080: 4 m × 8 m)
Acceleration	0.1 g
Ballbar Circularity	± 0.0025 in (± 0.0635 mm)

Specifications sourced from flowwaterjet.com — verified 2026-10-03

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Five work envelopes, from 6'-6" × 6'-6" (2020) to 13'-1" × 26'-0" (4080)
700 in/min (17.8 m/min) rapid traverse with 0.1 g acceleration
Z travel of 12 in or 24 in (305 mm or 610 mm)
Positioning accuracy of ± 0.0005 in (± 0.0127 mm) and repeatability of ± 0.0008 in (± 0.02 mm)

Limitations

Rapid traverse is about half the 1,417 in/min (36 m/min) that Flow lists for the Mach 700
The largest envelope is the 4080 at 13'-1" × 26'-0"; longer plate calls for a bigger machine
Flow's table for this model lists no pump pressure, pump power or cutting head, so those have to be specified in the quotation

Best For

Sheet and plate cutting on envelopes from 6'-6" × 6'-6" to 13'-1" × 26'-0" Tall fixtures, tube or formed parts under the 24 in (610 mm) Z travel Parts that call for ± 0.0005 in (± 0.0127 mm) positioning accuracy on a large table

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What sizes does the Flow Mach 500 come in?

Flow lists five: 2020 at 6'-6" × 6'-6", 3020 at 10'-0" × 6'-6", 3060 at 10'-0" × 20'-0", 4020 at 13'-1" × 6'-6" and 4080 at 13'-1" × 26'-0" (4 m × 8 m). Each can be ordered with 12 in or 24 in (305 mm or 610 mm) of Z travel.

02 How does the Mach 500 compare with the Mach 700?

The Mach 500 lists 700 in/min (17.8 m/min) rapids and tighter positioning accuracy, ± 0.0005 in (± 0.0127 mm). The Mach 700 lists 1,417 in/min (36 m/min) and ± 0.0015 in (± 0.038 mm), and its envelopes start where the Mach 500 range ends, at the 4080 size.

03 Which Z travel should I choose on the Mach 500?

Flow lists 12 in and 24 in (305 mm and 610 mm). The shorter travel is enough for sheet and plate laid on the slats. The longer one is for work that stands up off the table: fixtures, tube, formed or fabricated parts.