Waterjet Cutter

Waterjet Cutter Information

  • The WARDJet waterjet is a powerful machine that can cut up to 6 inches of stainless steel, but most jobs will involve material less than 1/2” thick.
  • The cutting bed of the machine is 24”x24”. We ask the requester to provide material that is larger than the piece they need serviced so we properly clamp their material to the bed.
  • The waterjet is only operated by MakerSpace staff, so there is no training for this machine. Users who need to use the waterjet for their project must fill out a request form.
  • Anyone attending a cutting session must obey lab safety protocols, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • To learn more about the waterjet please email tandon-waterjet@nyu.edu.
  • You must be an active NYU student, faculty, or staff to request a cut.
  • Cutting is subject to MakerSpace TA availability.
  • Files must be provided in .dxf format. For more information on how to create a DXF file, see Software tab. 
  • Materials thinner than 1/16" typically do not fare well with the power of the waterjet cutter. Submissions of thinner materials will be accepted at a case-by-case basis.
  • Only one file per piece of material – if fitting multiple cuts on one piece of material it must be laid out ahead of time in the dxf file. There must be at least a 0.125" (1/8") of space between parts.
  • Units must be set to inches before exporting.
  • Room must be left on the material for clamping on 2 sides. (1.5 – 2 inches).
  • No material or material storage is provided. Material must be brought with you and taken when done.
Any software capable of generating .dxf files can be used, but cut lines must be closed loops with no double lines. For small parts, one side must be at least 1/2" long. Hole size is limited to 0.05" diameter. Please convert the dimensions of your file, sketch, or artboard to inches before exporting.
  • Exporting a DXF in AutoDesk Inventor. For Inventor, you can also right click on a face and use the Export Face as DXF function.
  • Exporting a DXF in Fusion 360.
  • Exporting a DXF in SolidWorks. For SolidWorks, you can also right click on a face and use the Export Face as DXF function.
  • For Fusion 360, SolidWorks, and Inventor, sketches can also be exported as DXF.
  • OnShape.com is a free browser-based CAD software for students. Sketches can also be exported as .DXF files.
  • Adobe Illustrator can be used to create DXF files by navigating to File>Export>Export as>Format: Autodesk RealDWG (dxf). Adobe Illustrator is also a great tool to combine DXF files for multiple parts per material.
A free software can be used to verify your DXF file. We ask that you please verify that your DXF file looks exactly how you want the pieces to be cut before submitting.
Nominal Cutting Area (X x Y x Z)
  • 24" x 24" x 6"
  • 0.61 m x 0.61 m x 0.152 m
The waterjet can cut extremely thick materials, however, this can lead to extremely long cut times, poor surface finish, and loss of dimensional accuracy. For these reasons, we recommend materials of 0.5" or less. The tolerance of this machine is approximately 0.010" per axis.
Common Materials
  • Aluminum
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Titanium
  • Steel (Mild, Hardened, Stainless)
  • Plastics
Do you have another material in mind? Email tandon-waterjet@nyu.edu for any questions, comments, or concerns.
Waterjets.org - General waterjet information and inspiration

A sheet of metal being cut by the WaterJet.
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