Cutting sintered quartz and natural stone is one of the most demanding tasks in the stone-fabrication industry. These materials — favored by architects and designers — are extremely hard, brittle, and sensitive to processing errors. That's why modern facilities are investing in technologies that combine power, precision, and delicacy.

One example of this approach is a European stone-processing company specializing in premium services. With the purchase of an Opal Waterjet machine from the European brand Eckert, the company has cut turnaround time by more than half, gained production independence, and achieved the precision required by the interior design market.

Sintered quartz and natural stone — a technological challenge.

Sintered quartz slabs are an advanced material created by sintering a mixture of quartz, clays, and oxides at temperatures exceeding 1200°C. The result is a slab with exceptional hardness, chemical and thermal resistance, near-zero porosity, and full UV resistance.

Thanks to these properties, sintered quartz is ideal for kitchen countertops, wall cladding, facades, or furniture components. However, it poses significant challenges during processing — conventional methods such as bridge saws can cause chipping and micro-cracks. With thin slabs or large formats, the risk of damage increases substantially.

This is why more and more stone-fabrication companies are turning to abrasive waterjet technology. It's a completely cold-cutting process that delivers top-quality edges — free from stress, discoloration, or material deformation.

Why choose waterjet cutting?

Unlike mechanical methods, abrasive waterjet cutting uses a high-velocity water jet mixed with abrasive (typically garnet 80 mesh), reaching speeds around 900 m/s and pressures up to 6000 bar. This concentrated stream cuts through the material layer by layer while preserving its structure and color.

• No heat-affected zone (HAZ)
• Perfectly smooth, clean edges
• Capable of cutting slabs from 0.5 to 250 mm thick
• Support for 3D angled cuts — such as sink shapes, faucet cutouts, and decorative inlays

Eckert's Opal Waterjet machine during sintered quartz cutting at a European stone workshop

Case study: Premium quality that attracts premium clients

Goldkam, a European stone-processing company established in 2013, has focused on cutting and processing natural stone and sintered quartz from the outset. Before implementing waterjet technology, the processes were time-consuming and costly.

"Before purchasing the waterjet, cutting and processing took us 2–3 times longer. Outsourcing generated extra costs and transport risks. Now, we handle everything in-house." — Grzegorz Przemyski, owner of Goldkam

Acquiring the Opal Waterjet allowed Goldkam to eliminate subcontractors and enter the premium customer segment.

"3D cutting enables perfect angle alignment — for example, in sink joints — which eliminates leakage risks. This investment opened doors to new clients, such as kitchen studios and interior designers who expect top-tier quality." — Grzegorz Przemyski, owner of Goldkam

Case study: Sintered quartz waterjet cutting by Eckert

Opal Waterjet — Eckert precision in action

The Opal Waterjet is a CNC waterjet cutting system engineered to handle the most demanding materials — from hardened steel to natural stone and sintered quartz. It combines a robust design with both 2D and 3D cutting capabilities. The Pro-X 3D cutting head allows for angled cuts up to ±60°, while the intelligent Eckert i-Vision control system (Windows 11) ensures smooth operation and real-time visual monitoring of the process.

Technical specifications of the Opal Waterjet

A new standard in stone processing

The implementation of Opal Waterjet technology has enabled Goldkam to achieve measurable results:

• Lead times shortened by 50–70%
• Full production independence
• Elimination of outsourcing and logistics costs
• Entry into the premium market segment
• Reliable technical and training support from Eckert

Sintered quartz and natural stone slabs

Technology that opens new possibilities

This story proves that investing in cutting-edge technology is more than just buying a machine — it's about transforming how you work and how you define quality. Thanks to the Opal Waterjet, processing sintered quartz has become faster, more precise, and has elevated the company’s service standards.

"The waterjet was a smart, strategic purchase. I recommend Eckert and look forward to continuing our cooperation on future machines." — Grzegorz Przemyski, owner of Goldkam

If your company is involved in cutting stone or sintered quartz, see how Opal Waterjet technology can support your growth. Explore our CNC waterjet systems or contact our experts.