Wondering about the investment cost of a waterjet cutter? Let’s start with João’s story.
João, a small factory owner in São Paulo, Brazil, invested in a Chinese-made AC 5-axis waterjet cutter after careful planning:
- Comparing equipment investment vs waterjet price
- Calculating monthly costs
- Setting service pricing aligned with local demand
- Estimating ROI and payback period
He discovered this could be a smart investment that pays for itself in just 7 months.
João’s Waterjet Business Setup Overview
| Item | Details |
| Location | São Paulo, Brazil |
| Equipment | AC 5‑axis cutting head + 4000×2000 cutting table |
| Total Investment (incl. shipping & installation) | $48,000 |
| Monthly Operating Cost | $3,800 |
| Local Service Rate | $110/hour |
| Monthly Cutting Hours | 100 |
| Monthly Profit | ~$7,200 |
| Payback Period (ROI) | ~7 months |
Quer saber quanto custa realmente investir em uma máquina de corte por jato de água? Vamos começar com uma história real.
João, um pequeno empresário em São Paulo, decidiu investir em uma máquina waterjet de 5 eixos fabricada na China. Mas ele não fez isso por impulso — ele analisou:
• O investimento inicial versus o preço da máquina (waterjet price)
• O custo operacional (cost) mensal
• Os preços de serviço locais
• E principalmente: em quanto tempo teria retorno do investimento (ROI)
resultado? Ele recuperou o investimento em apenas 7 meses.
Resumo do Projeto Waterjet de Joã
| Item | Detalhes |
| Localização | São Paulo, Brasil |
| Equipamento | Cabeçote 5 eixos AC + mesa 4000×2000 |
| Investimento total | US$ 48.000 (incluindo instalação) |
| Custo operacional mensal | US$ 3.800 |
| Preço médio do serviço | US$ 110/hora |
| Horas de corte por mês | 100 |
| Lucro mensal estimado | ~US$ 7.200 |
| Retorno do investimento (ROI) | ~7 meses |
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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1: What’s the Waterjet Price in 2025?
Below are typical waterjet prices (USD) for Chinese-made systems:
| Machine Type | Ideal For | Waterjet Price Range |
| Small 3‑axis Entry | Education, R&D, signage | $20,000–$45,000 |
| Mid-sized AC 5-axis | Metal fabrication, stone | $30,000–$50,000 |
| Industrial Systems | Automotive, aerospace | $60,000–$100,000+ |
João chose a category 2 system. Choosing brands like APW, SAME, or Victor offers a 40–60% price savings over Western brands.
2: What Affects Waterjet Cost Beyond the Price Tag?
Factors affecting true cost include:
- Cutting table size (3000×2000 vs 4000×2000)
- Pump power rating (37kW vs 50kW)
- AC 5-axis head (+$5,000–$8,000 vs 3-axis)
- CNC controller/software (multi-axis, remote support)
- Accessories (auto-feed, abrasive recycling, water filtration)
3: Monthly Operating Cost (100 hours)
| Category | Amount (USD) | Notes |
| Electricity | $300 | ~$3/hour industrial rate |
| Abrasive (Garnet) | $1,500 | Approx. 1 kg/min |
| Water | $100 | São Paulo industrial water |
| Wear & Maintenance | $300 | Nozzles, hoses, filters |
| Operator Salary | $900 | Includes benefits |
| Rent & Admin | $700 | Small workshop setup |
| Total | $3,800 | Monthly operating cost |
4: Service Pricing & ROI
Typical local service rates:
- $100–$130/hour for general cutting
- $40–$100/part for stone blocks
- Higher rates for thicker metal or complex jobs
With 100 hours/month at $110/hour, João earns ~$11,000/month, nets ~$7,200 after costs, and recovers his $48K investment within 7 months.
5: Market & Competition (Brazil & São Paulo)
Google Maps discovery for “corte por jato de água”:
| Region | Active Shops (approx.) | Notes |
| São Paulo City | 80–120 | Many run small 3-axis machines |
| Rio de Janeiro | 30–40 | Focus on building and stone sectors |
| Minas Gerais | 20–30 | Mostly small, low-tech workshops |
| Major Brazilian Cities | 300+ | Few with 5-axis capability or large tables |
Competitive edge:
- 5-axis premium services are rare
- Few shops can process full-size 4000×2000 materials
Metal + stone combo services can charge a premium
6: Recommended Cutting Table Size
| Material Type | Table Recommendation | Why |
| Steel / Aluminum | 3000×2000 | Standard industrial usage |
| Marble / Granite | 4000×2000 | Enables full-sheet carving |
| Glass / Tile | 3000×2000 | Standard format fits |
| Architectural Art | 4000×2000 | Supports complex, large shapes |
Pro tip: For very small parts, use waterjet bricks or bridge design to prevent pieces falling through the grate.
Should You Invest in a Waterjet?
- Evaluate waterjet price, but don’t overlook operating cost
- Match table size & configuration to your market needs
- With proper planning, ROI within 6–8 months is realistic
