Modern Machine Shop

APR 2017

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30 MMS April 2017 mmsonline.com RAPID TRAVERSE Machining Technology in Brief development of waterjet machining. The process has become more precise, easier to program, more capable of multi-axis cutting, quieter and easier to maintain. In short, waterjet machining is as likely to fit into the machining job shop as in the fab shop. An example of this job-shop fit is the MicroMax machining center from Omax (Kent, Washington). For starters, this machine has the dimensions and appearance of a standard machining center or other precision machine tool. It is fully enclosed, with two doors that slide apart for access to the cutting zone. The worktable is approximately the same height as that of a typical VMC or precision lathe. The footprint of this waterjet machine is also similar to other CNC machine tools (roughly 6 feet wide, 7 feet deep and 7 feet high). At a glance, it might not even be recognized as an abrasive waterjet machine. Of course, the inside of the enclosure reveals the machine's configuration as an abrasive water- jet unit. The work envelope is 25 inches in X, 25 inches in Y and 4.5 inches in Z. The "cutting tool" in the abrasive waterjet process is a fine, high- pressure stream of water that passes through a nozzle with a very small orifice. For cutting dense or hard materials, an abrasive powder (usually garnet) is introduced into the stream. The Micro- Max is equipped with the standard Omax 7/15 Mini Maxjet 5 nozzle that can be combined with a 0.007-inch orifice and a 0.015-inch mixing tube (for introducing the garnet powder) for a position- ing accuracy that the company says is less than 5 microns. Another standard feature is the Tilt-A-Jet cutting head that automatically compensates for the tendency of the waterjet stream to flare out on tall cuts, thus creating an unwanted taper. This head enables cuts to be uniformly accurate from top to bottom. In addition, the path of the waterjet can be controlled in three axes simul- taneously for 3D cutting. According to the builder, the machine is designed for low vibration, control of thermal expansion and quiet operation (less than 80 decibels). However, the main attraction of the abrasive waterjet machining process is its ability to cut stainless steel, titanium, carbon fiber, polyether ether ketone (PEEK ), glass, nitinol, graphite, copper, composites, laminates and other mate- rials, including those that are nonconductive or reflective. The process is said to leave a satin- smooth finish, with no residual mechanical stress or heat-induced changes. Fine control of the stream pressure also enables delicate materials to be pierced without distortion. The range of applications suitable for abrasive waterjet cutting should appeal to job shops inter- ested in being creative problem-solvers for cus- tomers, the company says. The MicroMax seems to be sized and configured to be at home along- side a range of other types of CNC machine tools in a job shop's arsenal. Inside the machine, the waterjet cutting head is capable of cutting a variety of materials using a high- pressure stream of water bearing an abrasive grit such as garnet powder. The stream of water can be controlled in three axes at once for cutting contours. Omax Corp., call 800-838-0343 or visit omax.com.

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