See First-Hand What a Waterjet Can Do for You
A waterjet-machine demonstration is the quickest way to find out if OMAX technology is right for your factory floor. You see real parts, real cuts, and real data, instead of guessing from brochures or online videos. That is especially helpful when you are planning capital spend and need clear evidence to support your decisions.
We are the long-standing OMAX partner in the UK, with a dedicated demonstration facility set up for realistic, production-focused trials. The aim is simple: give you a clear picture of what an abrasive waterjet can do on your materials, with your drawings and your quality standards. In this article, we explain what actually happens during a waterjet-machine demonstration, what to prepare before you come, and how to use the day to make a confident, evidence-based choice.
Preparing for Your OMAX Waterjet-Machine Demonstration
The most useful demonstrations start long before you walk through the door. It begins with clear objectives. Ask yourself what you need to prove, for example:
- Can the waterjet cut your most difficult material cleanly?
- Can it hit your tolerance and edge quality targets?
- How do cycle times compare with your current processes?
- Do you need to see nesting, automation options or tilting head features?
Once you know what you want to learn, we can shape the session around that. We will usually ask for details such as:
- CAD files or drawings of typical parts
- Material type, thickness and any special grades
- Tolerance and surface finish requirements
- Typical batch sizes and annual volumes
Bringing physical material samples is very helpful. Cutting your own stock shows exactly how the process behaves on your work, including laminations, coatings or internal stresses.
It also helps to plan who should attend. A strong group might include:
- Design or development engineers, to check feasibility and tolerance
- Production or workshop managers, to focus on flow and changeover
- Quality staff, to review measuring and inspection points
- A buyer or decision maker, to link technical results to investment plans
Most demonstrations last a few hours, though more complex trials can run longer. Ahead of your visit we agree the main questions, then tailor the agenda to your sector, whether that is aerospace, automotive, precision fabrication or subcontract work across mixed materials.
Inside the Waterjet Demonstration Experience
When you arrive at our facility, we start with a quick walkthrough of the demonstration area. You will usually see a selection of OMAX machines, along with key support equipment like high-pressure pumps, abrasive feed systems, water treatment and workholding. Health and safety briefings come first, so you know how to move around the cell safely while still getting close to the process.
Once the basics are covered, we move into live cutting. A typical session goes step by step:
- Load your material on the cutting bed and discuss fixturing options.
- Import or prepare your part in the OMAX software.
- Set cutting quality levels, pierce types and lead-ins or lead-outs.
- Run the program while you watch the full cutting sequence.
- Inspect the part together at the machine, then in more detail at a bench.
During cutting, we talk through what you are seeing: jet behaviour, pierce points, kerf width, any taper and the condition of small details or internal corners. You can handle the finished part straight away, checking edge quality and surface finish for yourself.
Performance validation is a key part of the day. We measure:
- Actual cutting time for each part or nest
- Achieved tolerances against your drawing
- Approximate abrasive and water use for the job
This gives you real numbers to compare with laser, plasma, EDM, machining or manual methods. It also starts to show which parts are best suited to waterjet in your mix, and where you might free up capacity on other equipment.
Exploring Software, Workflow, and Productivity Gains
Once you have seen parts being cut, we look deeper at the software and workflow. The OMAX Intelli-MAX environment is designed to take you from CAD file to machine-ready path in a few simple steps. During a demonstration we usually cover:
- Importing DXF, DWG or other common formats
- Basic drawing tools for quick changes or simple shapes
- Nesting to fill the sheet and reduce waste
- Setting lead-ins, lead-outs and pierce strategies
- Taper compensation options, where appropriate
The aim is not to turn you into a programmer in one session, but to show how approachable the controls are, how operators can get comfortable and how the system helps protect against common mistakes.
We also talk about production efficiency in real terms, such as:
- How to nest multiple jobs on one sheet for fewer setups
- When low-attendance or lights-out running is realistic
- How waterjet cutting can reduce deburring, grinding or secondary finishing
- Ways to handle short runs, prototypes and urgent jobs without long setup times
Integration questions often follow. We are happy to discuss things like machine layout in your current cell, lifting or material handling, job scheduling, data capture and how the machine can work with your existing CAD and CAM tools. By the end, you should have a clear view of how the waterjet would fit into day-to-day production, not just how it looks on a stand.
Maintenance, Running Costs, and Lifetime Support
A waterjet is a production tool, so you need a realistic picture of running and upkeep. During the demonstration we walk through the main cost drivers, such as:
- Power consumption for the pump
- Water supply and drainage needs
- Abrasive use at typical cutting speeds
- Common wear parts and their expected service life
With that information, you can start to build a total cost of ownership model that matches your own shift patterns, materials and part mix.
We also show key maintenance tasks on the machine. This might include checking filters, inspecting nozzles and orifices, cleaning strainers or reviewing simple daily checks that keep cut quality stable. Good routines help maintain accuracy, reduce unplanned stops and extend component life.
Finally, we explain the support structure in place. As a UK-based OMAX partner, we provide local technical support, access to spares, operator and programmer training, and guidance on upgrades over the life of the machine. The aim is a long-term partnership that supports you from first cut through to full production.
Turning Your Demonstration Into a Confident Investment Decision
After your visit, we pull together the results so they are easy to share inside your business. This can include cutting data, timing information, notes on tolerances and quality, and clear explanations of what was tested and how. Many teams use this material when presenting options to stakeholders and budget holders.
If the demonstration shows that waterjet fits your needs, the next step is to look more closely at machine configuration, training plans, site requirements and the impact on your production targets. Some manufacturers choose extended trials or sample batch runs, especially where there are tight quality demands or complex materials. Others focus on how to introduce the technology alongside existing processes, then grow its role over time. However you proceed, the goal of the demonstration is the same: to give you clear, practical evidence so that any investment decision feels informed, measured and aligned with your long-term production plans.
See Precision Cutting In Action For Your Next Project
Experience the capabilities of our technology first-hand by booking a tailored waterjet machine demonstration with Aquajet. We will walk you through real cutting scenarios based on your materials and tolerances, so you can evaluate accuracy, speed and finish with confidence. If you would like to discuss specific requirements in advance, simply contact us and we will help you plan the most useful session for your team.