Citation
(2007), "Water Jet Sweden introduce the new standard 5-axis profiler", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 79 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2007.12779aad.008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Water Jet Sweden introduce the new standard 5-axis profiler
Water Jet Sweden introduce the new standard 5-axis profiler
The phenomenal growth in the use of waterjet cutting and profiling technology marches on with the introduction now of the first standard 5-axis machine from Water Jet Sweden.
First introduced for sheet metal cutting, the growth in the application of waterjet cutting technology has been nothing short of spectacular across such a diverse spectrum of applications in manufacturing from solid steel, including titanium, to plastics, glass, marble, flooring, alloys, even wood, etc.
The new machine will it is claimed extend the applications of waterjet cutting technology even further as it opens up the way to three-dimensional cutting of components at a single setting.
The multi-head machine is said to be capable also of cutting intricate shapes to extremely tight tolerances, such as the alloy support ribs for aircraft wings.
In order to be truly effective and highly reliable, a five-axis machine must be driven by a first rate CNC system and, in this respect, Water Jet Sweden's close collaboration with GE Fanuc has provided the answer. By adopting GE Fanuc's five-axis 300i nano-seconds CNC system, with its open architecture, together with a mix of GE Fanuc's robust Alpha i and Beta i- series servos, WJS is offering what it believes is the best possible machine/ control combination.
The horizontal positioning along the X-axis (across the bed) and along the Y-axis continues to be provided by Fanuc Alpha i-Series servomotors using traditional ball screw mechanisms. The height of the nozzle outlet above the material being cut (the Z-axis) is by Beta i servos. All are powered by GE Fanuc servo amplifiers.
Says WJS Managing Director, Lennart Svensson, “We are now using GE Fanuc CNCs and drives to control accuracy and ensure the ultra-reliability that can enable 24h production with confidence. Our customers see the purchase of these machines as a long- term investment in quality.”
Details available from: WJS UK Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 1937 845 499, Fax: +44 (0) 7092 860 980, E-mail: info@waterjetsweden.com