06 May What is a Waterjet?
What is Waterjet Cutting in Terrazzo?
A waterjet uses a high-pressure stream of water mixed with an abrasive to cut templates with precision. Waterjets turn your CAD file into a physical guide that locks your logo, graphic, or artwork permanently into a terrazzo floor.
If you’ve ever looked at a school mascot, an artistic airport design, or a hospital logo placed within a terrazzo floor and wondered how on earth it got there. Well, the answer is most likely a waterjet. We’ll dive into how a waterjet can turn your ideas into reality.
What is Waterjet?
A waterjet is a controlled machine that directs a pressurized stream of water mixed with abrasive material, which can cut a variety of materials, including metals, stones, glass, and composites.
For terrazzo, a waterjet is a tool that aids in design additions to the project. A waterjet cuts metal strips and templates that are placed on the subfloor before pouring the terrazzo. Terrazzo is then poured between the divider strips, making the design a permanent, integral part of the floor. This provides architects and designers an advantage to transform their ideas into actual outcomes. The waterjet ensures all the details of the design is performed accurately.
What Materials Can a Waterjet Cut?
Waterjets are capable of precisely cutting a wide range of materials, including metals, foam templates, and even terrazzo.
- Metal strips: Divider strips, typically made of aluminum or zinc, are waterjet cut to create precise outlines for logos and complex geometric patterns. This approach eliminates the need for manual labor for bending strips on the job site and simplifies assembly.
- Templates: Foam or similar templates can be cut to define the full terrazzo floor layout. These guides help installers position sections accurately and efficiently during installation.
- Terrazzo: Waterjet cutting can also be used directly on terrazzo to create custom shapes and features, such as sink cutouts or intricate design elements.
What Designs Can a Waterjet Cut for Terrazzo?
If it exists as a vector file, a waterjet can cut it into a terrazzo template.
Common applications include:
- School mascots and athletic logos
- Airport compass roses, terminal maps, and directional graphics
- Healthcare system logos and wayfinding guides
- University seals and wordmarks
- Custom geometric patterns and medallions
- Civic and government emblems
Design consideration: Waterjet designs can accommodate any space. For fine details, request a design consultation. TERRAZZCO’s design team can reivew all files for physical cuttability before production begins.
How Does the Waterjet Cutting Process Work?
We’ll help you understand how the process translates your design file into ready-to-install design elements.
Design Files Uploaded to a Waterjet Machine
The drafters upload a design for the waterjet machine to read. The TERRAZZCO waterjet team reviews the file for cut feasibility, sets up the machine, and checks all preparations are in order before the cutting process begins.
CAD File Uploaded, detailing the design we want to create
Waterjet bed where materials are placed for cutting
Water Stream Engages
A waterjet uses a high-pressure stream of water for cutting material. To increase the cutting power, our drafters include an abrasive in the waterjet. As a result, this allows the machine to cut through thicker materials up to seven inches thick, like steel or titanium. The most common materials that we use for terrazzo graphics and logos are aluminum, brass, and zinc.
Cutting Head Traces Design
The cutting head moves on an X/Y axis, following the coordinates encoded in the design file. Any curves, angles, or compound shapes are all cut in a single uninterrupted pass. A drafter can group elements with nesting to reduce waste, lower cost, and boost efficiency.
Water presssure cuts through the material
Templates assembled at the manufacturing site
Inspection & Transport
The templates and design elements are inspected, labeled, and assembled at the manufacturing site. Once approved, it is shipped to the job site for the installer to position the template over the substrate before pouring the terrazzo.
Terrazzo Design Installed
After the terrazzo is poured and fully cured, it is ground and polished to achieve a smooth, uniform surface. Any waterjet-cut elements are then installed and function as divider strips within a finished design. With waterjet cutting, it helps architects and designers create one-of-a-kind terrazzo floors.
Design embedded in terrazzo floor
Using A Waterjet to Create Terrazzo Designs
We collaborate with artists and architects in bringing their visions to life. Concord Terrazzo Company has an in-house waterjet system where we input design files to cut templates for terrazzo logos and artwork. Once cut, the design template is transported to the construction site, where a contractor will form the floor layout and pour terrazzo in place.
Why Specify TERRAZZCO for Waterjet-Cut Terrazzo?
TERRAZZCO operates its waterjet cutting in-house, with every design reviewed by our internal team, ensuring your design intent is accurately carried through to installation.
What sets TERRAZZCO apart:
- Single-source accountability: resin, aggregates, precast, and waterjet cutting are all manufactured and managed under one roof.
- Pre-production file review: Every design is evaluated for cuttability before fabrication begins, with feedback provided as needed.
- Material expertise: We offer guidance on terrazzo colors, metal divider strips, and other selections to support your design.
- Proven project experience: Our waterjet-cut terrazzo has been used in schools, hospitals, and civic buildings nationwide.
- American-Made: Manufactured in Charlotte, North Carolina, with reduced supply chain risk compared to imported materials.
With all components sourced from TERRAZZCO, contractors benefit from streamlined coordination and reduced delays, while architects gain confidence that the finished terrazzo will perform and endure for the life of the building.
How to Get Started with a Waterjet-Cut Terrazzo Design?
Submit your design file to TERRAZZCO’s team for a feasibility review. We’ll evaluate your concept and guide you through the next steps of the process.
Concord Terrazzo Company supplies aggregates, manufactures precast terrazzo products, and produces epoxy resins as well. TERRAZZCO is a supplier member of the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association.
Looking for a custom floor design? Contact Concord Terrazzo Company today at info@terrazzco.com or complete our online form to get started.