WATERJET CUTTING JOIN THE JET SET
The case involves cutting 127 mm
diameter holes in the side of 152.4 mm
diameter Inconel cylinders. The tolerance
requirements are high and, until recently,
processing had been performed by drilling.
As the diameter of the hole is more than
50% of the material’s diameter, drilling
means a good portion (36%) of the material
is turned into waste.
In contrast, the narrow incisions (1-1.5
mm) and fine kerf of waterjet cutting provides
multiple recycling possibilities. Rather than
simply drilling a hole, waterjet technology cuts
out three separate pieces from the original
material, much like stacking a Russian doll.
The results are residual materials that can be
recycled instead of wasted.
A WJS H-model with a 2 by 1 m table
surface provides the solution. Although a
standard machine, it offers a complete
workstation for all types of high tolerance
waterjet cutting in 2D. Using a standard
model also means that it is both costeffective
and proven.
In order to cut the thick cylinders with up
to 6,200 bar, this particular H-model has
been enhanced with a customised tank,
designed for an effective and smooth
production process. To ensure both precision
and repeatability, the tank is equipped with
an integrated fixture system that consists of
three parts: a fixture bench, a palette fixture
and material holders.
“Thanks to the customised tank and
The WJS machine with
its special three-part fixture system
special fixture solution, our H-model machine
is now an enhanced workstation that
performs a highly specific and precision
production process,” states Tony Rydh, CTO
and founder of WJS.
Education is a further important sector for
waterjet technology. Three years ago, Marcus
Edwards, robotics coach and manufacturing
teacher at Terrell Independent School District
(Terrell ISD) in Terrell, Texas, was given the
opportunity to build the Robotics/Engineering
Programme. Since then, he has introduced
students to manufacturing procedures,
fabricating methods and prototyping
practices.
As part of the initiative, Terrell purchased
a GlobalMAX 1530 from Omax as a way to
expand its material cutting capabilities, while
introducing students to advanced machining
technology.
“We knew that we had a bottleneck with
our router, so we went after a solution that
would prove to be the key to solving our
problem,” Edwards explains. “We choose
Omax because the technology is aspirational
for the young engineers.”
Some of the pieces cut on the waterjet to
date have included linkages and joints for
the robotics team, as well as sheet metal
projects of many different kinds.
This value-focused abrasive waterjet can
cut almost any material and a wide variety of
thicknesses, without creating any heataffected
zone. The GlobalMAX 1530 model
features a cutting bed of 3 by 1.5 m, a direct
drive pump and a number of accessories.
Omax is represented in the UK by Aquajet
(https://is.gd/bokuva).
Another interesting project is underway at
Finepart Sweden, which is represented in the
UK by Rainford Precision Machines (https://
is.gd/ipoteh). Finepart Sweden has received a
grant of SEK 465,000 (approximately
£38,000) from Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation
agency, to part-finance the use of micromachining
waterjet technology on additively
manufactured jet engine parts. The project is
being carried out in collaboration with aircraft
engine manufacturer GKN Aerospace,
CADCAM supplier IGEMS and research
institute RISE.
Commencing last month and due for
completion by Q4 2020, the project will see
the development of a new version of 5-axis
micro-machining waterjet that will have
increased precision and productivity.
“It is very positive for us and our
customers that we now have the opportunity
to fast-track the concepts within 5-axis
waterjet machining for more efficient
production,” says Lars Darvall, CEO of
Finepart. “New developments contribute to
new manufacturing methods, with the
potential to strengthen Finepart’s position as
a supplier within the aerospace arena.” ■
Latest waterjet products & news in brief
■ CMS Group (https://is.gd/ofilez) has released its latest waterjet cutting system,
Tecnocut Smartline, which the company says can cut up to 30% from typical cycle
times, thanks to 50 m/min rapids and 3 m/s2 acceleration. Positional accuracy of
±0.07 mm and repeatability of ±0.05 mm add consistent quality to the offer, matched
by an attractive price-to-performance ratio. The machine is available in 3-axis
configuration and with the infinite rotation JD5ax cutting head. In addition, the Tecnocut
Smartline can be supplied with multiple 3-axis cutting heads on a single Z-axis beam.
Bed capacity is 4 by 2 m.
■ MBA Engineering, a supplier of machinery solutions, consumables and support
services, has bolstered its product portfolio for customers, thanks to a newly developed
partnership with waterjet consumables specialist Hypertherm. As a result, MBA
Engineering is now an authorised UK distributor of Hypertherm’s HyPrecision and
AccuStream brands. Featured across the HyPrecision and AccuStream series is a wide
range of waterjet components and replacement parts, including pumps, cutting heads,
seal kits, on/off kits, high pressure tubing/plumbing, check valves, cylinders, adapters,
nozzles and orifices. https://is.gd/guqula
44 www.machinery.co.uk @MachineryTweets February 2020
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