Do you Know how to choose the right water jet cutting table size based on your materials and shapes?
Water jet cutters are widely used in industries such as metalworking, stone fabrication, glass processing, tile cutting, and composites due to their high precision and versatility. Selecting the appropriate cutting table size is crucial for improving cutting efficiency, ensuring accuracy, and controlling costs. So, how do you match the cutting table size to different material dimensions? This article provides a detailed guide along with a common materials and recommended cutting table size comparison chart.
This article is only for reference – for personalized assistance. Contact APW WATER JET SALES. It is every machinery provider’s obligation to help customers maximize profits.
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Why Is Water Jet Cutting Table Size Important?
The size of the cutting table determines the material loading area and cutting range. If the table is too small, the material cannot be fully placed, limiting production capacity; if too large, it increases equipment cost and footprint, leading to waste. Proper sizing helps improve processing efficiency while ensuring cutting quality and safe operation.
Common Material Dimensions and Recommended Cutting Table Sizes The table below lists typical material sizes in various industries and the corresponding recommended cutting table sizes to help you select the right equipment quickly
| Material Category | Material Name | Typical Material Size (mm × mm) | Typical Material Size (in × in) | Recommended Cutting Table Size (mm × mm) | Recommended Cutting Table Size (in × in) |
| Metal | Stainless Steel | 1219 × 2438 | 48 × 96 | 1500 × 3000 | 59 × 118 |
| Aluminum | 1500 × 3000 | 59 × 118 | 2000 × 3000 | 79 × 118 | |
| Carbon Steel | 1500 × 6000 | 59 × 236 | 2000 × 6000 | 79 × 236 | |
| Copper | 1000 × 2000 | 39 × 79 | 1500 × 2500 | 59 × 98 | |
| Titanium Alloy | 1200 × 2400 | 47 × 94 | 1500 × 3000 | 59 × 118 | |
| Glass | Architectural Glass | 2440 × 1830 | 96 × 72 | 2000 × 3000 | 79 × 118 |
| Furniture Glass | 1200 × 800 | 47 × 31 | 1500 × 1000 | 59 × 39 | |
| Mirror Glass | 2000 × 1500 | 79 × 59 | 2000 × 2000 | 79 × 79 | |
| Stone | Marble Slabs | 2400 × 1200 / 3000 × 1500 | 94 × 47 / 118 × 59 | 2000 × 3000 / 2000 × 4000 | 79 × 118 / 79 × 157 |
| Granite Slabs | 2500 × 1500 | 98 × 59 | 2000 × 4000 | 79 × 157 | |
| Tile | Mosaic Tiles | 300 × 300 | 12 × 12 | 1300 × 1300 | 51 × 51 |
| Glazed Tiles | 600 × 600 / 800 × 800 | 24 × 24 / 31 × 31 | 1300 × 1300 | 51 × 51 | |
| Composite | Carbon Fiber Sheets | 1000 × 1500 | 39 × 59 | 1500 × 2000 | 59 × 79 |
| Fiberglass Sheets | 1200 × 2400 | 47 × 94 | 1500 × 3000 | 59 × 118 | |
| Others | Leather | 1000 × 1500 | 39 × 59 | 1500 × 2000 | 59 × 79 |
| Rubber Sheets | 1200 × 2400 | 47 × 94 | 1500 × 3000 | 59 × 118 |
Small Water Jet Cutters: A Flexible and Efficient Solution
For cutting small parts, especially in labs, educational settings, or artisan workshops, large cutting tables can be space-consuming and costly. In such cases, a 500×500 mm small water jet cutting table is an ideal choice. It saves space, is easy to operate, and efficiently handles metals, plastics, glass, and more in small batch, high-precision applications.
For example, the APW 500×500 small water jet cutter is widely praised for its compact design and stable performance. It suits precision parts manufacturing, artistic carving, and small sample cutting.
Cutting Small Parts? Beware of Drop-Through Risks on the Cutting Table
Water jet cutting tables typically use steel grates with grate spacing of about 50–80 mm. When cutting parts smaller than this spacing (e.g., 10×10 mm), parts may fall through the grate into the water tank, causing processing and maintenance issues.
Solutions include:
- Using water jet bricks (high-density support plates) on top of the grates
- Optimizing CAD layouts to keep small parts connected to the mother sheet
- Consulting suppliers about anti-drop nets or small part recovery systems
Choosing the right cutting table size is key to maximizing cutting efficiency and quality. Proper matching of material dimensions to cutting table size avoids wasted space or insufficient cutting area.
Small water jet cutters provide a flexible and economical option for small-part cutting needs. Combined with techniques to prevent small parts from falling through the grate, these systems can greatly improve productivity and safety.
For more info about small water jet cutting machines and solutions, visit APW official website for expert advice.
