Welding & Fabrication worked example

Waterjet Cutting Cost with parts cut on the job of 150 parts: a worked example

This scenario runs the waterjet cutting cost calculation on the strong side: parts cut on the job of 150 parts, with every other input held at its documented default. Use it when quoting abrasive waterjet jobs on thick plate, titanium, stainless, or composites and you need a defensible per-part cost.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Parts cut on the job: 150 parts (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 60)
  • Per-part abrasive and machine cost: 4.2 $ / part (unchanged)
  • Pump, tank, and program setup cost: 220 $ (unchanged)
  • Operator labor with burden: 260 $ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Total waterjet cutting cost = parts cut on the job × per-part abrasive and machine cost + pump, tank, and program setup cost + operator labor with burden) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1,110 $ for total waterjet cutting cost, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 7.4 $ / piece for waterjet cutting cost per part.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 630 $ for per-part abrasive and machine cost.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 480 $ for pump setup and operator labor.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where parts cut on the job sits at 60 parts and the headline result is 732 $, this scenario comes in 51.64% above the baseline at 1,110 $.
  • Use it when quoting waterjet jobs on thick plate, stone, glass, titanium, or composites, or when comparing waterjet against laser and plasma on cost. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.

Results at a glance

  • Total waterjet cutting cost: 1,110 $ (headline result)
  • Waterjet cutting cost per part: 7.4 $ / piece
  • Per-part abrasive and machine cost: 630 $
  • Pump setup and operator labor: 480 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Waterjet Cutting Cost calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.