Blab Tech
SmartShield Packaging Enhances Foam Fabrication with WARDJet X-Series 5-Axis Waterjet System
SmartShield Packaging, a Canadian supplier of custom protective packaging for aerospace, medical devices, robotics, healthcare and defense, announced on 19 June 2026 that it has installed a WARDJet X‑Series waterjet cutting system in its Hamilton, Ontario facility. The new system is intended to increase the company’s precision foam‑fabrication capabilities and expand its product range.
SmartShield has long served customers that require highly accurate inserts, cavities, shadow boards and case interiors. The company said that growing production volumes and increasingly complex designs had prompted a search for a cutting technology that could deliver tighter tolerances, higher throughput and greater material flexibility. According to the GlobeNewswire release, the WARDJet X‑Series was chosen for its advanced cutting abilities, reliability, service network and, most notably, its 5‑axis motion control.
The X‑Series waterjet system uses a high‑pressure stream of water—optionally mixed with an abrasive—to cut a wide range of materials without introducing heat. The press release notes that SmartShield can now cut polyethylene foam, cross‑linked polyethylene foam, polyurethane foam, plastics, wood and other specialty packaging materials with the same machine. The cold‑cutting process eliminates compression, tearing and distortion that can occur with router or laser cutting, allowing the company to produce cleaner geometries and reduce secondary finishing work.
One of the key advantages highlighted by SmartShield is the system’s ability to stack and cut multiple layers simultaneously. The company reports that this capability has boosted production output while maintaining dimensional accuracy for each layer. The result is faster delivery times and more efficient labor use.
The 5‑axis feature of the X‑Series also opens up new design possibilities. The press release describes how the system enables beveled foam inserts, multi‑angle cavities, custom shadow boards and precision tool‑control systems that would be difficult or impossible to create with conventional cutting methods. These capabilities allow SmartShield to offer more specialized, application‑specific packaging solutions to its customers.
WARDJet, the manufacturer of the X‑Series, is a leading producer of advanced waterjet cutting systems. The company’s website describes the X‑Series as a line of CNC waterjets that include a crossbeam design for durability, multitouch software and a range of cutting envelopes. The press release cites the X‑Series as part of WARDJet’s broader strategy to provide high‑performance, versatile cutting solutions for manufacturers.
Industry analysts note that the adoption of 5‑axis waterjet technology is part of a broader trend toward precision, flexibility and efficiency in manufacturing. The GlobeNewswire release states that SmartShield’s new system has increased its production capacity, improved consistency, and opened opportunities in new markets. The company also expects the technology to support future growth and to enable the creation of packaging solutions that were previously unachievable.
SmartShield’s director, Sam, said that precision is critical for protecting valuable equipment and medical devices. He added that the WARDJet X‑Series provides exceptional efficiency, consistency and quality. The company’s spokesperson confirmed that the system is now a key component of its manufacturing operations.
The installation of the WARDJet X‑Series marks a strategic move for SmartShield Packaging. By leveraging advanced 5‑axis waterjet cutting, the company can produce highly accurate foam inserts and other protective components for demanding industries while maintaining high throughput and material versatility. The system’s clean, distortion‑free cuts and multi‑layer capability are expected to keep SmartShield competitive in markets that demand the highest levels of protection and precision.
SmartShield Packaging’s adoption of the WARDJet X‑Series is currently in full operation. The company has not announced any additional product launches or regulatory actions related to the new system. WARDJet remains available for inquiries at info@WARDJet.com, and a photo of the system is hosted on the GlobeNewswire website.
SmartShield has long served customers that require highly accurate inserts, cavities, shadow boards and case interiors. The company said that growing production volumes and increasingly complex designs had prompted a search for a cutting technology that could deliver tighter tolerances, higher throughput and greater material flexibility. According to the GlobeNewswire release, the WARDJet X‑Series was chosen for its advanced cutting abilities, reliability, service network and, most notably, its 5‑axis motion control.
The X‑Series waterjet system uses a high‑pressure stream of water—optionally mixed with an abrasive—to cut a wide range of materials without introducing heat. The press release notes that SmartShield can now cut polyethylene foam, cross‑linked polyethylene foam, polyurethane foam, plastics, wood and other specialty packaging materials with the same machine. The cold‑cutting process eliminates compression, tearing and distortion that can occur with router or laser cutting, allowing the company to produce cleaner geometries and reduce secondary finishing work.
One of the key advantages highlighted by SmartShield is the system’s ability to stack and cut multiple layers simultaneously. The company reports that this capability has boosted production output while maintaining dimensional accuracy for each layer. The result is faster delivery times and more efficient labor use.
The 5‑axis feature of the X‑Series also opens up new design possibilities. The press release describes how the system enables beveled foam inserts, multi‑angle cavities, custom shadow boards and precision tool‑control systems that would be difficult or impossible to create with conventional cutting methods. These capabilities allow SmartShield to offer more specialized, application‑specific packaging solutions to its customers.
WARDJet, the manufacturer of the X‑Series, is a leading producer of advanced waterjet cutting systems. The company’s website describes the X‑Series as a line of CNC waterjets that include a crossbeam design for durability, multitouch software and a range of cutting envelopes. The press release cites the X‑Series as part of WARDJet’s broader strategy to provide high‑performance, versatile cutting solutions for manufacturers.
Industry analysts note that the adoption of 5‑axis waterjet technology is part of a broader trend toward precision, flexibility and efficiency in manufacturing. The GlobeNewswire release states that SmartShield’s new system has increased its production capacity, improved consistency, and opened opportunities in new markets. The company also expects the technology to support future growth and to enable the creation of packaging solutions that were previously unachievable.
SmartShield’s director, Sam, said that precision is critical for protecting valuable equipment and medical devices. He added that the WARDJet X‑Series provides exceptional efficiency, consistency and quality. The company’s spokesperson confirmed that the system is now a key component of its manufacturing operations.
The installation of the WARDJet X‑Series marks a strategic move for SmartShield Packaging. By leveraging advanced 5‑axis waterjet cutting, the company can produce highly accurate foam inserts and other protective components for demanding industries while maintaining high throughput and material versatility. The system’s clean, distortion‑free cuts and multi‑layer capability are expected to keep SmartShield competitive in markets that demand the highest levels of protection and precision.
SmartShield Packaging’s adoption of the WARDJet X‑Series is currently in full operation. The company has not announced any additional product launches or regulatory actions related to the new system. WARDJet remains available for inquiries at info@WARDJet.com, and a photo of the system is hosted on the GlobeNewswire website.
