KMT Waterjet Systems CNC Waterjet Cutting

KMT Streamline SL-V 50 Intensifier Pump

$40,000 – $75,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Cutting Area

N/A — standalone pump unit (integrates with any compatible waterjet table)

Pump Pressure

50,000 PSI (3,450 bar) continuous

Pump Power

50 HP (37 kW)

Max Cutting Thickness

75 mm (3 in) on steel at production speed; up to 150 mm at reduced speed

Positioning Accuracy

N/A — pump unit only

Cutting Speed

Dependent on cutting head and machine configuration

Overview

The KMT Streamline SL-V 50 is a 50,000 PSI ultra-high-pressure intensifier pump unit from KMT Waterjet Systems, one of the world's largest and most widely deployed UHP pump manufacturers. KMT is the OEM pump supplier to many of the world's leading waterjet machine builders — including Bystronic, Jet Edge, WARDJet, and others — making the SL-V series among the most commonly encountered pump technology in the industrial waterjet industry. The SL-V 50 delivers 50,000 PSI at 50 HP, suitable for driving single cutting heads on production waterjet tables cutting metal, stone, and composites.

The SL-V series uses a dual-acting intensifier cylinder design, in which a low-pressure hydraulic piston alternately pressurizes water on both sides of the intensifier, producing a near-continuous high-pressure output with minimal pulsation. KMT's proprietary seal cartridge system allows fast field replacement of high-pressure seals without requiring pump disassembly, significantly reducing maintenance downtime. The pump ships with all required filtration, check valves, and high-pressure tubing connections in a compact, skid-mounted package ready for integration.

The SL-V 50 is available as a standalone pump for integration into custom waterjet systems, replacement of aged pump units on existing machines, or as the specified pump in OEM machine builds. KMT offers the SL-V series in power ratings from 30 HP through 150 HP, covering cutting requirements from single-head job shop systems to multi-head production lines. At 50,000 PSI, the SL-V 50 provides sufficient pressure for efficient cutting of materials up to approximately 75 mm thick; thicker materials and faster cycle times benefit from KMT's higher-pressure SL-VI series at 60,000 PSI.

KMT Waterjet Systems maintains a global service and distribution network with trained technicians, certified rebuild centers, and stocked consumable inventory in North America, Europe, and Asia. The SL-V 50 is backed by KMT's application engineering team, which supports integration projects, cutting parameter development, and system optimization.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Cutting Area	N/A — standalone pump unit (integrates with any compatible waterjet table)
Pump Pressure	50,000 PSI (3,450 bar) continuous
Pump Power	50 HP (37 kW)
Max Cutting Thickness	75 mm (3 in) on steel at production speed; up to 150 mm at reduced speed
Positioning Accuracy	N/A — pump unit only
Cutting Speed	Dependent on cutting head and machine configuration
Control System	Standalone — interfaces with machine CNC via pressure control signal
Machine Weight	Approx. 680 kg (1,500 lbs) skid-mounted

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

KMT is the industry-standard pump OEM — widest service and consumables network globally
Dual-acting intensifier design delivers near-continuous pressure with minimal pulsation
Fast-change seal cartridge system enables field seal replacement without pump disassembly
Compatible with virtually all waterjet machine brands — widely used as an upgrade or replacement pump

Limitations

50,000 PSI is lower than current 60,000–90,000 PSI systems — limiting on thick plate
Intensifier pumps have higher seal replacement frequency than OMAX-style direct-drive pumps
Pump unit only — requires purchase of cutting table, motion system, and software separately

Best For

Waterjet machine builders and integrators specifying OEM pumps for production systems Existing waterjet owners upgrading or replacing aged pump units with a proven platform Job shops cutting steel up to 50 mm and stone, tile, or glass where 50,000 PSI is sufficient

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Why do many waterjet machine brands use KMT pumps?

KMT has been developing UHP intensifier pump technology since the 1970s and supplies pump units to most of the major waterjet machine manufacturers worldwide. Machine builders benefit from KMT's proven pressure performance, global spare parts availability, and customers' familiarity with KMT maintenance procedures. It also allows machine builders to focus on machine design rather than pump R&D.

02 What is the difference between the SL-V 50 and the SL-VI series?

The SL-V series operates at 50,000 PSI, while the SL-VI series delivers 60,000 PSI. The higher pressure of the SL-VI translates to a smaller, faster jet with higher cutting speeds, better cut quality on thick materials, and reduced garnet consumption per unit area cut. The SL-VI is the current recommended standard for new waterjet system builds where budget permits.

03 How often do intensifier pump seals need replacement?

Under normal operating conditions with clean, properly filtered water, KMT SL-V seal cartridges typically last 500–1,000 operating hours. Water quality is the primary variable — mineral-laden or untreated tap water dramatically shortens seal life. Most operations install a water softener and 1-micron filtration system to maximize seal service intervals.