Flow Mach 4 4020

$280,000 - $420,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Table Size

4,200 x 2,200 mm (nominal)

Accuracy

±0.002" (±0.05 mm)

cutting area

4,000 x 2,000 mm (157.5" x 78.7")

pump pressure

Up to 60,000 psi (4,137 bar) standard; 87,000 psi option

pump power

37 kW to 55 kW (single head); higher for dual-head configurations

cutting speed

Up to 500 in/min (12,700 mm/min) rapid; material-dependent cutting feed

Overview

The Flow Mach 4 4020 is a large-format CNC abrasive waterjet cutting machine with a 4,000 mm x 2,000 mm cutting envelope, designed for high-throughput industrial fabrication environments where maximum sheet utilization and production efficiency are the primary requirements. The Mach 4 series is Flow International's production-grade platform, positioned above the entry-level Mach 100/200/300 series and targeting manufacturers who need a capable, reliable large-format waterjet without the premium pricing of the advanced Mach 500 line.

Flow International has been a global leader in waterjet technology since the early commercialization of abrasive waterjet cutting, and the Mach 4 series reflects decades of machine design evolution tuned specifically for production shop environments. The Mach 4 4020 uses a rigid welded steel gantry with precision linear guide rails and dual servo drives on the X-axis to maintain accuracy across the 4,000 mm travel length. The design balances manufacturing cost with mechanical performance to deliver a machine that holds acceptable tolerances for the vast majority of industrial waterjet applications at a lower price point than the Mach 500 series.

The Mach 4 4020 is designed to work with Flow's standard Paser abrasive waterjet pumps operating at 60,000 psi (4,137 bar) or with Flow's higher-pressure options in the 87,000 psi range. Pump power in the 37 kW to 55 kW range is typical for single-head configurations, while shops running dual cutting heads on the 4020 table will size their pump capacity accordingly. The machine supports dual-head cutting bridge configurations, allowing simultaneous production of identical parts side by side on the same sheet to effectively double throughput without doubling machine cost.

Flow's FlowMaster CNC control platform is standard on the Mach 4 series, providing the same operator interface and CAM integration used across Flow's product line. FlowMaster includes Precision Waterjet Nesting for optimizing part layout on large sheets, automatic DXF and DWG file import, material-based cutting speed optimization tables, and pierce sequence management. The large-sheet nesting capability is particularly valuable on the 4020's 4 m x 2 m table, where efficient nesting directly translates to material cost savings per part.

The Mach 4 4020 is well suited for steel service centers, structural fabricators, general job shops with high sheet volume, and manufacturers in construction, agriculture, and industrial equipment sectors who process large quantities of mild steel, stainless, and aluminum plate in standard sheet sizes. Its large table, dual-head capability, and reliable FlowMaster control make it a productive asset for operations where waterjet cutting is a primary production process rather than a specialty or occasional service.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Cutting Area	4,000 x 2,000 mm (157.5" x 78.7")
Pump Pressure	Up to 60,000 psi (4,137 bar) standard; 87,000 psi option
Pump Power	37 kW to 55 kW (single head); higher for dual-head configurations
Cutting Speed	Up to 500 in/min (12,700 mm/min) rapid; material-dependent cutting feed
Positioning Accuracy	±0.002" (±0.05 mm)
Max Material Thickness	Up to 12" (305 mm) material-dependent
Table Size	4,200 x 2,200 mm (nominal)
Water Flow Rate	~3.8 L/min at standard pressure per head
CNC Control	Flow FlowMaster CNC, Precision Waterjet Nesting, DXF/DWG import
Machine Weight	~12,000 kg

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Full 4x2 m sheet capacity processes standard large plate in a single setup
Dual-head cutting option doubles throughput without a second machine investment
FlowMaster controller with Precision Nesting maximizes sheet utilization and reduces material waste
Proven Mach 4 platform with decades of industrial production use and strong service network
More cost-effective than Mach 500 for shops that do not require ultra-high-pressure capability

Limitations

Standard 60,000 psi pressure is slower than HyperPressure Mach 500 on thin hard materials
Large footprint and weight require substantial floor space and concrete floor loading capacity
Not the optimal choice for tight-tolerance aerospace parts where Mach 500 accuracy is needed

Best For

Steel service centers and plate fabricators cutting full-size sheets daily at volume Structural fabricators and general job shops processing mild steel, stainless, and aluminum Manufacturers in construction, agriculture, and industrial equipment sectors with high sheet volume Shops requiring dual-head capability to maximize large-format table utilization

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the Mach 4 4020 differ from the Mach 500 in the same table size?

The Mach 4 4020 uses Flow's standard-pressure pump technology (60,000 psi) and achieves ±0.05 mm positioning accuracy, while the Mach 500 uses HyperPressure (up to 94,000 psi) and achieves ±0.025 mm. The Mach 4 is the production-grade platform for shops where standard accuracy meets requirements; the Mach 500 targets high-precision aerospace and defense applications where tighter tolerances and faster cutting speeds justify the premium cost.

02 Can the Mach 4 4020 run two cutting heads simultaneously?

Yes. The Mach 4 4020 supports dual-head cutting configurations where two cutting heads are mounted on the same bridge and can run simultaneously. This is most productive for running pairs of identical parts in parallel on the same sheet, effectively halving the per-part cutting cycle time. Dual-head operation requires a pump with sufficient capacity to supply both heads at operating pressure.

03 What pump pressure options are available for the Mach 4 4020?

The Mach 4 4020 is typically configured with Flow's standard 60,000 psi (4,137 bar) Paser pump in 37 kW to 55 kW sizes. Higher-pressure options up to approximately 87,000 psi are available and provide intermediate speed gains over standard pressure without reaching the full HyperPressure capability of the Mach 500 platform. Pump selection is based on the materials and thicknesses most commonly cut in the shop.

04 What sheet sizes does the Mach 4 4020 process?

The 4,000 mm x 2,000 mm cutting area accommodates full standard sheets of steel plate (commonly sold in 2 m x 4 m sizes in metric markets) and equivalent standard sizes in aluminum and stainless. Processing a full sheet in a single setup without repositioning maximizes nesting efficiency and throughput, which is a principal advantage of the 4020 table size for production operations.

05 What is the typical accuracy of the Mach 4 4020 on production parts?

The Mach 4 4020 achieves positioning accuracy of ±0.05 mm (±0.002"). In practice, cut part dimensional accuracy also depends on material thickness, cutting speed, and taper compensation settings. For the majority of structural, fabrication, and industrial equipment parts, ±0.05 mm positional accuracy is entirely sufficient. Only precision aerospace or medical applications requiring ±0.025 mm would need to consider the Mach 500 platform instead.