Upgraded intensifier raises waterjet flexibility

One of the major advantages of waterjet cutting is the ability to cut a vast range of different materials and provide a high quality of finished product and systems can be regularly updated.

One of the major advantages of waterjet cutting is the ability to cut a vast range of different materials and provide a high quality of finished product.

This is being clearly demonstrated by specialist sub-contractor K-Cut of Morecambe, established some three years ago.

Since its establishment, the company has worked closely with Powerjet Systems, initially for the original waterjet cutting table investment and subsequently for a 3D waterjet robot.

When they wanted to upgrade the original waterjet intensifier, cuttings heads and abrasive feed system, they again turned to Powerjet Systems who worked closely with KMT Waterjet Systems to provide the optimum solution.

The original Powerjet Systems 3m x 1.5m waterjet cutting table with twin cutting heads enabled K-Cut to cut materials ranging from steels and exotic materials, wood and cardboard to ceramics, marble, granite and even glass.

As a result the company has provided specialist subcontract cutting services to many diverse industries.

Further investment in 3D robotic waterjet cutting was the natural development as the company expanded its range of services versatility even further.

The quality of finished product achievable with waterjet was essential to K-Cut's original decision to invest in this technology.

It allows materials to be cut cleanly and quickly with minimal waste, no distortion and no heat affected zone.

Intricate shapes and cut-outs, particularly of ceramic tiles, have also been well within the company's capabilities.

To produce these and other products too, the company will accept customers hand drawings, CAD and other files and works with them to design and produce a finished product that meets their needs.

At the heart of any waterjet cutting system is the intensifier.

Its reliability and ability to deliver water day-in, day-out and with totally consistent pressures is essential.

When therefore looking to upgrade the original pump, K-Cut contacted Powerjet Systems and specified a Streamline SL- V 50HP pump which was retrofitted by Powerjet Systems.

This pump has an established reputation for quality and reliability and at K- Cut serves both the waterjet cutting table and the robot.

The pump features Klockner Moeller PLC control, ceramic plungers and the patented KMT Hard Seal End Cap topwork design.

With its compact and lightweight design, metal to metal seals this feature ensures reduced consumables cost, easier maintenance and reduced down time for K-Cut.

At the same time a new AMS abrasive management system was installed.

It is providing highly accurate and reliable delivery of abrasive to the waterjet cutting process.

It includes the Feedline abrasive metering system which adjusts flow rates to the mixing chambers of the twin Autoline abrasive cutting heads.

Autoline itself gives a consistent and sharp jet of water for high speed, highly repeatable cutting performance.

The final element of the AMS system is the Abraline abrasive transfer system that monitors abrasive availability throughout the cutting process and guarantees that the correct quantities of abrasive are always supplied to suit the specific cutting requirement.

With this latest investment, K-Cut now has a waterjet cutting operation that is totally reliable and with the flexibility to attract an even wider range of customers looking to reap the cost and productivity benefits of the waterjet process.

The company has now also upgraded the programming software and the Powerjet cutting table is now controlled by this programme rather than relying on operator input.

This new software takes into account the material size and type, quality of cut required, jet size, abrasive type and quantity and profile path.

It will then constantly adjust the speed to maintain a constant cut quality.

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