Waterjet Cutting Machine Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Pure, Abrasive), By Product, By Application (Automotive, Electronics), By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Waterjet Cutting Machine Market Trends

The global waterjet cutting machine market size was valued at USD 966.7 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7 % from 2023 to 2030. Increasing inclination toward eco-friendly cutting procedures and processes in the automotive, electronics, textile, mining, packaging, and construction sectors is a major factor contributing to market growth Furthermore, a rise in the adoption of advanced machinery is a result of improvements in process automation across industries is expected to drive waterjet cutting machine industry the over the forecast period. The waterjet cutting technology is gaining traction among various industries owing to its versatility in cutting a variety of materials including flammable, composites, glass, and metals. The machine uses pure water or a mixture of water and abrasive material as a cutting media to cut up to 10-inch-thick steel plates. For instance, Flow International Corporation offers Mach series waterjet cutting machines that can cut materials up to 24 inches in thickness. Furthermore, the technology enables performing an extensive range of functions such as rapid drilling or cutting thin details or precision shapes in glass, stones, and metals.

Innovation and improvement in technology have also had an impact on the waterjet cutting machine market growth for waterjet cutting machines in many different industries.3D, robotic, and micro waterjet cutting equipment are some of the significant advancements that help end-customers increase their efficiency and deploy precise cutting operations. For instance, WARDJet, an Ohio-based manufacturer of waterjet cutting equipment, provides robotic automation for waterjet cutting to the textile, automotive, electronics, and aerospace industries to generate weld test samples.

The waterjet cutting machine industry is anticipated to increase due to the expanding trend toward industrial automation and the rise in demand for customized products. To increase the effectiveness and productivity of these devices and make them more affordable for a larger range of sectors, manufacturers are investing in research and development. The waterjet cutting machine industry is expected to increase significantly over the next several years.

With the increased complexity and curvedness of the cutting process, robotic waterjets are gaining appeal. In industries such as aerospace and defense, automotive, and energy and power, complex cutting is required for turbines, blades, spares, and flanges. Robotic technologies are used to improve the efficiency and productivity of every cutting operation in real-time. Another aspect propelling this industry is the decrease in labor expenses. These machines are outfitted with clever CAD/CAM/Control software, allowing a single operator to control several systems as the machines' potential to run semi-automatically, shop owners are increasingly integrating equipment, strengthening the waterjet cutting machine industry growth. 

The expanding trend towards industrial automation, as well as the increased need for efficient products, are projected to propel the waterjet cutting machine market forward in the next years. Manufacturers are investing in research and development to improve these machines' efficiency and productivity, making them more accessible to a larger range of sectors. Overall, the waterjet cutting machine industry growth is expected to expand significantly in the near future.

The gaskets rubber, foam, plastic, composite materials, and metal are among the materials that the waterjet cutting machine cuts through easily. However, some of the major problems when handling any equipment are high energy consumption, sensitivity to environmental conditions, lack of proper maintenance, high ownership cost, incorrect selection, and difficulties during fabrication. These obstacles may hinder the waterjet cutting machinery industry growth.

The energy used by waterjet cutting equipment directly affects an organization's operating expenses, making it a crucial issue for businesses. This potentially restrains the waterjet cutting machine industry growth Furthermore, a waterjet cutting machine's hourly operating costs can be impacted by elements such as abrasiveness of the surface, and subsequent, water, labor, additional machinery components, power, and other unspecified costs. Any business that employs a waterjet cutting device is often required to install software, which is expected to restrict the waterjet cutting machine industry growth.

Product Insights

Based on type, the waterjet cutting machine market is bifurcated into pure and abrasive. Among these, the abrasive waterjet cutting machine accumulated the largest market share of 94.27 % in 2022. Growing need for precision in automotive performance parts and other cut-out materials such as wings, brake types, gears, and turbines. Similar demand in other industries such as defense and aerospace, textiles, mining, beverage food, and electronics is also driving segment expansion.

Furthermore, the abrasive waterjet cutting machines combine abrasive particles such as garnet with a high-pressure water ejection to increase the speed of the cutting process by eroding materials like composites, stones, and metals with precision and high speed. As a result, abrasive waterjets are commonly utilized to cut high-strength materials.

The pure water jet cutting machine segment has the fastest growth rate of 4.4 % from 2023-2030. Pure waterjet is the cleanest form of waterjet cutting technology and it works by directing a high-pressure water stream on a thin or soft material for a precise cut. A pure water jet cutting machine is usually used to cut softer materials, including gaskets, foam, paper, plastics, insulation, disposable diapers, cement board, food, and carpet. Pure waterjet is a cold-cutting process that eliminates the risk of a heat-affected zone in the material.

Product Insights

Based on the product, the waterjet cutting machine market is divided into robotic waterjet cutting machines, 3D waterjet cutting machines, and micro waterjet cutting machines. Among these, the 3D waterjet cutting machines accumulated the largest market share of 52.52% in 2022. The 3D waterjet cutting machines’recent advancements in waterjet cutting heads have added five-axis capabilities to the process, which can now allow 3D cutting. The method employs a swivel head that revolves 360 degrees and can cut at up to a 46-degree angle on all materials. Aside from being able to move in the X, Y, and Z directions and turn around its axis from -360° to +360°, the cutting head can also twist from +90° to -90°, enabling efficient and easy development of 3D designs.

The robotic waterjet cutting machines segment is set to register the fastest growth rate of 4.6 % from 2023-2030. Robotic waterjet machining uses a cold-cutting technique, making it perfect for use in the automotive, medical, and aerospace industries where heat does not pose a threat to the material. It is possible to make almost any form of cut, from precise cuts for automotive applications to quick hole drilling, utilizing waterjet tables. This is expected to drive the market growth.

Application Insights

Based on application, the waterjet cutting machine industry is fragmented into foam product fiberglass cutting, gasket cutting, exotic metal & non-traditional material cutting, cutting ceramic/stone cutting, and glass/metal art. Among these, the glass/metal art segment accumulated the largest market share of 27.97 % in 2022. The segmental growth is attributed to increasing investment in infrastructure such as commercial and residential construction projects. The need for aesthetically pleasing buildings and infrastructure is driving the waterjet cutting machine industry growth.

Similarly, the foam-cutting product segment is expected to register the fastest growth rate of 5.3 % over the forecast period. The foam products are typically used for packaging for logistics, memory foam, and medical padding, among others. The waterjet cutting machines along with CAD programming, enables accurate and precision cutting of foam without compromising the texture and malleability of the foam. Thus, making the waterjet cutting machine a preferred choice for foam-cutting products.

End-Use Insights

Based on end-use, the segment is divided into electronics,mining, automotive, aerospace & defense, and metal fabrication applications, among others. Among these, the automotive segment accumulated the largest market share of 27.97 % in 2022. The high adoption of water cutting machines in the automotive industry, owing to the increasing demand for producing high-precision complex automotive parts remains the key driver for growth. Furthermore, robotic systems are also growing in use along with the WCMs in the production lines within the automotive industry, to boost operational efficiency.

Aerospace and defense industries are expected to register the highest CAGR of 4.3 % from 2023-2030. Waterjet cutting machines are becoming more common to produce parts and components for aircraft made of composite materials, such as turbine blades and jet engines.

The waterjet cutting machines are also preferred in the production of essential defense and military items including guided missiles, spacecraft, and cutting procedures for rotary blades, aircraft fuselages, and thick sheet metals. The global demand for highly efficient equipment, such as the waterjet cutting machine, and subsequently the use of such equipment has increased due to the expanding aerospace and defense sector investment and R&D activities.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific region held the largest market share of 35.65 % in 2022. It is also expected to register the fastest growth rate of 4.3 % over the forecast period. Product demand in the region is anticipated to increase as a result of the region's improving economic conditions and rising industrialization, particularly in China, India, and South Korea.

Throughout the forecast period, growth in the region's material handling, electronic component, metal and mining, food, beverage, and tobacco industries is anticipated to boost the market. The region’s increased adoption of energy-efficient technology and rising technological breakthroughs have been the primary driving factors of the market expansion. Furthermore, an increase in industrial automation, an increase in steel consumption, and an increase in the use of indexed steel in construction are all contributing to regional waterjet cutting machine industry growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The key market players in the global waterjet cutting machine industry include Colfax Corporation; Omax Corporation; Koike Aronson, Inc.; WARDJet, Inc. (AXYZ Automation Group); Dardi International Corporation; among others. Manufacturers are focusing on implementing strategies like acquisitions, partnerships, and expansions into place to strengthen their position in the global market.

The market players are concentrating on strengthening their positions through a variety of strategic initiatives, such as the development of new products, joint ventures, collaborations, and mergers and acquisitions. Major market players place a high priority on research and development to create cutting-edge products and broaden their product lines. These players are likewise concentrating on creating more potent and energy-efficient laser equipment. Some prominent players in the global waterjet cutting machine market include:

• Dardi International Corporation

• ESAB

• Flow International Corporation

• Hypertherm, Inc.

• Jet Edge, Inc.

• Koike Aronson, Inc.

• OMAX Corporation

• Resato International

• WARDJet

• KMT

Waterjet Cutting Machine Market Report Scope

Global Waterjet Cutting Machine Market Report Segmentation

The report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, & country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030 For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global waterjet cutting machine market report based on type, product, application, end-use, and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Pure

  • Abrasive

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • 3D Waterjet Cutting Machines

  • Robotic Waterjet Cutting Machines

  • Micro Waterjet Cutting Machines

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Foam Product Cutting

  • Exotic Metal & Non-Traditional Material Cutting

  • Ceramic/Stone Cutting

  • Glass/Metal Art

  • Gasket Cutting

  • Fiberglass Cutting

• End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Automotive

  • Electronics

  • Aerospace & Defense

  • Mining

  • Metal Fabrication

  • Others

• Region Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Spain

    • Italy

    • Rest of Europe

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Rest of Asia Pacific

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

    • Rest of Latin America

  • Middle East & Africa (MEA)

    • U.A.E.

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

    • Rest of Middle East and Africa