Unlike other cutting technologies that rely on solid tools with fixed shapes, abrasive waterjets cut through materials using a high-pressure stream—think of it as liquid sandpaper—that constantly adapts to changes in geometry, thickness, and material density. To get the best possible cut, the right software is absolutely essential.
That’s where OMAX’s IntelliMAX software suite comes in. It was designed to mirror the performance of the hardware and give full control over every aspect of the cut. Instead of simply pushing for maximum speed—like most other waterjet systems—OMAX’s approach centres on cut quality. The software selects the ideal feed rates and speeds to match the desired outcome, using a patented method that generates thousands of instructions per inch along the cutting path. Even now, this level of control is unmatched in the abrasive waterjet industry.
In the early versions, OMAX’s cutting algorithms were great for straight-line cuts but took a cautious approach with corners. Since the jet stream tends to lag—meaning the top part of the stream reaches a corner before the bottom—keeping the same speed can lead to inaccuracies. To solve this, the software would slow the cutting speed at corners, ensuring the stream stayed perpendicular. At the time, this was a sensible and safe way to maintain cut quality.
As the software matured, we found smarter ways to manage cutting speed and geometry. Rather than taking a sharp right-angle turn at a corner, the updated software passes slightly beyond it, then doubles back to change direction—what we now call the “corner passing” technique. Today, this is an automatic feature in OMAX’s waterjet systems.
All of these gains have come down to one thing: software development.
Our ongoing investment in software has transformed productivity. For example, the very first generation of OMAX software could cut 26 inches of a gear-shaped path with 8 teeth out of 1″ stainless steel in 30 minutes. By the third generation, that same time allowed for 29 inches on a 9-toothed gear. Now, with the fourth generation, the system can manage 64 inches of a 20-toothed gear in just half an hour—using the same pump and garnet rate as before.
While our pumps provide the muscle for high-speed straight-line cutting, it’s the software that handles the brainwork—adjusting speeds intelligently for complex shapes, speeding up where possible, and slowing only when necessary. And we’re not done yet. The latest version of our IntelliMAX software carries 17 patents covering a wide range of innovations. We’ve tested thousands of cuts across hundreds of materials, and all of that data has gone into making our software what it is today: precise, efficient, and industry-leading.
At the heart of all our advancements is one key focus—improving the software.