Waterjet cutting has become a go-to manufacturing process for industries needing precision cutting across a range of materials, from metals to glass, composites, and even stone. If your company doesn’t have the equipment in-house, outsourcing to a waterjet cutting supplier can be a smart solution. However, finding the right partner is critical for ensuring quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
In this blog post, we'll explore the essential factors you should consider when selecting a waterjet cutting supplier to ensure they meet your project’s needs and help you achieve success.
Capabilities and Equipment: When outsourcing waterjet cutting, the first factor to consider is the supplier’s technical capabilities and the type of equipment they use. Not all waterjet machines are created equal. The supplier should have high-pressure cutting machines capable of cutting the materials you require, whether it’s stainless steel, aluminum, ceramics, or composites. Ask about the following:
Cutting thickness range: Make sure the supplier can handle the thickness of the material you need cut.
Cutting bed size: Ensure they can accommodate the dimensions of your materials and parts.
Tolerances: Check their ability to meet your required precision and tolerances, especially for intricate designs or parts with tight specifications.
A reliable supplier should be transparent about their equipment capabilities and limitations, helping you assess whether they are a good fit for your project. ICS uses state-of-the-art Flow waterjet machines that have the fastest cutting speeds and highest accuracy in the industry.
Experience and Expertise: A supplier’s experience can make a big difference in the outcome of your project. Waterjet cutting involves more than just operating machinery—it requires expertise in material behavior, design optimization, and cutting efficiency. Look for:
Industry experience: Does the supplier have a history of working with your industry or on similar projects? For example, aerospace components may require higher precision and quality control than architectural projects.
Skilled operators: The experience level of machine operators can impact the final quality. Ask about certifications or specialized training their team has received.
Portfolio: Request to see previous projects, case studies, or testimonials. A diverse portfolio showcases their ability to adapt to different challenges and produce high-quality results.
ICS's team brings over 20 years of combined waterjet cutting expertise, with more than a decade of specialized experience serving the aerospace and defense industries.
Turnaround Time: In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, time is often critical. When outsourcing waterjet cutting, the supplier’s turnaround time is key to meeting your deadlines.
Capacity: Ensure the supplier has enough capacity to take on your job without delays, especially if your project requires large or multiple runs.
Lead times: Inquire about their standard lead times for new orders and how they handle rush jobs.
ICS is renowned for its industry-leading standard lead times and offers expedited services for an additional fee. To meet growing customer demand, ICS has expanded its operations to include six waterjet machines, ensuring ample capacity to maintain prompt lead times for projects of all sizes.
Material Expertise: Waterjet cutting is a versatile process, but some materials can present unique challenges. The right supplier should have a strong understanding of the materials you are using and how they behave under high-pressure cutting. Working with a supplier who understands your materials means fewer mistakes, less material waste, and higher-quality finished parts.
Material variety: Whether you're cutting metals, composites, rubber, or glass, the supplier should be familiar with your specific material.
Handling exotic materials: If you're working with high-performance materials like titanium or carbon fiber, ensure the supplier has experience with these. Cutting these materials requires more precision and expertise to avoid material damage.
The greatest advantage of waterjet cutting is its versatility. ICS’s abrasive waterjet machines are capable of cutting a wide range of materials ranging from 1/16 inch to over 10 inches thick. Abrasive waterjet cutting of aerospace alloys is among the most frequently performed processes at ICS.
Quality Control Measures: Quality control is vital to ensure the parts meet your design specifications and industry standards. When evaluating a supplier, make sure they prioritize quality control. This will reduce the risk of defects, rework, and delays, ensuring that your parts are delivered to spec.
Inspection protocols: Does the supplier have processes in place to inspect parts for accuracy, surface finish, and dimensional tolerances?
Certifications: Check for relevant industry certifications like ISO 9001 or AS9100, which indicate a commitment to quality and standardized procedures.
Material traceability: If you're working in industries like aerospace or medical, material traceability and documentation might be essential. Ensure the supplier can provide detailed records of material sourcing and processing.
ICS's AS9100 and ISO9001 certifications affirm its strong quality management systems. Upon material delivery, ICS performs a thorough physical inspection to check for damage and verify that all material specifications meet customer requirements. Each job undergoes a first-piece inspection for dimensional accuracy before full production, followed by a 100% visual inspection and sample dimensional checks post-production.
Cost and Pricing Structure: Cost is always an important factor when outsourcing, but it’s essential to look at pricing in the context of overall value. Low-cost suppliers may seem appealing, but they might cut corners on quality, materials, or turnaround time, leading to more significant costs down the line. When evaluating pricing:
Transparency: Look for a supplier with a clear and transparent pricing structure. Ensure you understand what’s included in the quote—setup fees, material costs, and shipping.
Cost vs. Quality: It’s often better to pay slightly more for a supplier who offers superior quality and reliability, as this can save you from costly errors and rework later.
Bulk discounts: If you have large or repeat orders, ask about potential discounts for higher volumes or long-term contracts.
The ICS sales team is trained to offer competitive pricing on all quotes, ensuring customers receive exceptional value for cutting their components. ICS provides price breaks for large production runs, with pricing calculated by multiplying an hourly rate by the run time for each job.
Customer Service and Support: Finally, consider the supplier’s level of customer service and support. A reliable partner should be easy to communicate with, responsive, and supportive throughout the process.
Responsiveness: Do they reply to inquiries promptly? Are they available to answer technical questions? Check to see how long the quoting process usually takes for the companies sales and estimating team
Problem-solving: Ask how they handle issues like design changes, material shortages, or quality concerns.
Communication: Clear communication is crucial to stay informed about your project's status. Make sure the supplier has a streamlined process for order updates, potential delays, and shipping information.
ICS’s customer support and sales teams promptly acknowledge receipt of every quote. After a quick review, customers are provided with an estimated quote completion date. While most quotes are processed within 24 hours, larger or more complex requests may take longer. At ICS, regular status updates during production are standard practice to ensure transparency.
Outsourcing your waterjet cutting to the right supplier can streamline your production process, reduce costs, and improve quality. By focusing on factors like equipment capabilities, experience, turnaround time, and quality control, you can find a partner who meets your needs and helps bring your project to life.
Before committing to a supplier, do your research, ask the right questions, and assess their ability to deliver on both performance and service. With the right partner, you’ll ensure your parts are cut to precision, delivered on time, and ready to move to the next stage of production.
To learn more about what makes ICS a cut above the rest visit the ICS Advantage page
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