Machitech Automation CNC Waterjet Cutting

Machitech Precision Gantry CNC Waterjet Cutting System

$130,000 – $400,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Accuracy

±0.003 in (±0.076 mm) with linear encoder closed-loop feedback

cutting area

5 x 10 ft (1,524 x 3,048 mm) standard; custom configurations to 20 x 60 ft and beyond

pump pressure

60,000 psi (4,137 bar) standard (KMT SL-VI); 90,000 psi (6,205 bar) optional (KMT Pro)

pump power

50 HP to 150 HP (37–112 kW) depending on application and throughput requirements

max cutting thickness

Up to 6 in (152 mm) on steel; 12 in (305 mm) on stone, foam, and soft composites

cutting speed

1–250 ipm depending on material, thickness, and cut quality requirements

Overview

The Machitech Precision Gantry is a CNC waterjet cutting system from Machitech Automation — a Canadian manufacturer with a reputation for heavy-duty, highly customizable CNC cutting tables built for demanding fabrication environments. The Precision Gantry platform is designed from the ground up for industrial production cutting: the structural steel gantry is engineered for stiffness, the motion system uses industrial-grade servo drives with linear encoders for closed-loop positioning feedback, and the water table is constructed for longevity and easy slat maintenance. Machitech offers the Precision Gantry in standard bed sizes from 5 x 10 ft through large-format configurations exceeding 20 x 60 ft, with custom widths and rail lengths available for shipbuilding and heavy industrial applications.

The Precision Gantry waterjet system is typically configured with KMT Waterjet intensifier pumps in 50 HP to 150 HP ratings, providing 60,000 psi cutting pressure. Optional integration with KMT's ultra-high-pressure Streamline Pro series at 90,000 psi is available for shops where abrasive savings justify the premium. Machitech designs the high-pressure plumbing and cutting head integration in-house, with attention to minimizing pressure drop between pump and nozzle — a detail that directly affects cutting performance and is often overlooked in lower-cost systems. The abrasive delivery system uses a precision hopper and metering valve to maintain consistent garnet flow for repeatable cut quality.

Machitech's control integration uses IGEMS-based CNC software with Machitech's own interface layer, providing nesting, DXF/DWG import, and a material parameter library. The control includes torch height management for the waterjet cutting head and can integrate optional features including: 5-axis bevel head, dual-head cutting for simultaneous duplicate parts, camera-based material alignment for cutting formed or pre-drilled parts, and automated slat replacement carriages on large tables. Machitech's engineering team works closely with customers during the specification process — a sales and application engineering model more common to large-format industrial systems than to commodity cutting tables.

Machitech's Precision Gantry stands out in a market crowded with commodity waterjet tables by emphasizing long-term durability, customization depth, and direct engineering support. It targets heavy industry — offshore fabrication, pressure vessel manufacturing, mining equipment producers, and large-format aerospace suppliers — where the machine is expected to cut continuously for decades rather than years. For facilities evaluating large or custom waterjet investments where the standard catalog configurations of Flow, OMAX, or Jet Edge don't fit the application, Machitech's willingness to engineer non-standard solutions is a significant differentiator.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Cutting Area	5 x 10 ft (1,524 x 3,048 mm) standard; custom configurations to 20 x 60 ft and beyond
Pump Pressure	60,000 psi (4,137 bar) standard (KMT SL-VI); 90,000 psi (6,205 bar) optional (KMT Pro)
Pump Power	50 HP to 150 HP (37–112 kW) depending on application and throughput requirements
Max Cutting Thickness	Up to 6 in (152 mm) on steel; 12 in (305 mm) on stone, foam, and soft composites
Positioning Accuracy	±0.003 in (±0.076 mm) with linear encoder closed-loop feedback
Cutting Speed	1–250 ipm depending on material, thickness, and cut quality requirements
Control System	IGEMS-based CNC with Machitech interface; DXF/DWG import, nesting, 5-axis toolpath optional
Machine Weight	Approx. 7,000–15,000 lb (3,175–6,800 kg) for standard configurations; larger for custom builds
Flip Stock Card	Space
Quickmove	s
Undo	a
Redo	d

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Linear encoder closed-loop position feedback on all axes provides higher positioning accuracy and thermal stability than ball screw systems without encoders — important for large-format precision work
KMT pump integration with minimized high-pressure plumbing pressure drop optimizes cutting performance — a detail Machitech emphasizes versus lower-cost systems with longer plumbing runs
Highly customizable — Machitech's engineering team designs non-standard bed sizes, special torch configurations, and integration solutions that catalog-only manufacturers cannot accommodate
Heavy-duty gantry designed for decades of continuous industrial production — slat systems, gantry structure, and linear guides are specified for longevity rather than minimum cost

Limitations

Higher price than commodity waterjet tables from Asian manufacturers for equivalent cutting area — Machitech's industrial build quality and customization capability command a premium
Lead time for custom configurations is longer than purchasing a standard catalog machine — shops with urgent installation timelines should confirm delivery schedule early in the procurement process
North American manufacturer focus means international support outside Canada and the US may be slower than global brands like KMT, Flow, or OMAX with established worldwide service networks

Best For

Offshore fabricators, pressure vessel manufacturers, and heavy industrial shops cutting large stainless, duplex, and carbon steel components where a standard-size waterjet table is inadequate Mining equipment and industrial machinery manufacturers cutting thick abrasion-resistant steel plate (AR400, AR500, Hardox) where waterjet is the only practical cutting process Aerospace and defense suppliers needing large-format precision waterjet capability with 5-axis bevel option for titanium, aluminum, and composite component production Facilities evaluating a long-term waterjet investment who want an engineered-to-order solution rather than a catalog configuration — and are willing to pay for application engineering involvement

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the advantage of linear encoders over standard ball screw positioning?

Standard waterjet table positioning uses servo motors driving ball screws, with position feedback from the motor encoder. Linear encoders add a separate scale and reader mounted directly on the axis slide, measuring actual slide position rather than inferring it from motor rotation. This closed-loop feedback catches and corrects errors from ball screw wear, thermal expansion, and backlash — all of which accumulate over time. On large-format tables where thermal growth across a 10-20 ft axis is significant, linear encoders maintain positioning accuracy that motor-only feedback systems cannot match.

02 Can the Machitech Precision Gantry cut abrasion-resistant steel like AR500?

Yes. Abrasive waterjet is particularly well-suited for cutting AR500, Hardox, and other abrasion-resistant steels that are extremely difficult to plasma cut (due to hardness and heat sensitivity) and wear out laser cutting nozzles quickly. Waterjet cuts AR500 without heat-affected zone, which is important because the abrasion resistance of these steels comes from their hardened microstructure — thermal cutting processes can locally anneal the material at the cut edge, reducing wear resistance. Waterjet maintains full hardness at the cut edge. At 1 in (25 mm) thickness, AR500 cuts at approximately 5–15 ipm depending on edge quality specification.

03 Does Machitech offer after-sale service and support in the United States?

Yes. As a Canadian manufacturer, Machitech serves both the Canadian and US markets through a combination of direct factory support and US-based service partners. Factory engineers provide remote diagnostics and application support, and Machitech field technicians travel to US customer sites for installation, commissioning, and service. KMT pump service (for the pump component of the system) is handled through KMT's extensive US distributor and service network independently of Machitech. Shops in the continental US should discuss service response time expectations with Machitech during the procurement process.