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Water Jet Sweden (WJS) AB has entered the ultra-high, micro-precision machining center market, with Finecut AB, developer of a range of Fine Abrasive Waterjet (FAW) models. For a long time the emphasis in the growth of waterjet applications has been on coping with the increased size of sheets needing profiling by this method. Now, however, WJS and Finecut are introducing waterjet machining aimed at the small, FAW applications, which include production of miniature components requiring minute cutting techniques.
Just as laser profiling complements older machining methods, FAW machining centers complement the conventional waterjet cutting machine market. Additionally, research is showing that the fine- and micro-abrasive waterjet cutting market itself may soon become as large as the total market of today for conventional waterjet machines, as a better understanding of the capabilities and availability of these new techniques become more widely known and understood.
Examples
These capabilities include a reduction in kerf width from the industry normal minimum of 0.5mm to 0.3mm, on the currently released models, to a potential 0.2mm pending on-going trials within the customer service center. Generally, as a rule, classifications of operations are:
- Abrasive Waterjets (AWJs): AWJs have cutting jet diameters larger than 300µm and abrasive is carried in air and entrained into a high velocity waterjet.
- Fine Abrasive Waterjet (FAWs): FAWs have cutting jet diameters between 50µm and 300µm while abrasive is carried in water or air and entrained into a high velocity waterjet.
Design
Visually the basic design of the FAW product closely resembles that of the familiar machining center, being a fully-encased stand-alone unit, complete with a dedicated CNC operating panel and display screen. Opening the loading doors reveals a worktable and a high-precision motion system featuring linear motors above a catcher tank that is fully suspended to avoid vibration. The whole unit is mounted on a rigid machine tool type frame that is easily put into place, has a much smaller footprint than is normally associated with waterjet machines, and contains its own fully-integrated sub-systems. The system delivers a feedrate of 20mpm with double that in fast feed mode and achieves positioning accuracy of ±0.01mm/300mm (20°).
Featuring the PanelOne/Edgecut operating platform enables ease of operation with the high-end control and servo system incorporating Fanuc GE ALPHA technology.
Additionally, the Finecut machine can be fitted with large orifice jet heads in order to serve the traditional industrial applications as well, resulting in standard service and repair tasks along with the machining of expensive and exotic materials all within the capabilities of any user.
Markets
Additional markets that can open up to Finecut customers include those at the fine mechanics end of the mechatronics, measuring, control, and aerospace fields, as well as applications in the medical, dentistry and biotechnology industries. Further opportunities exist in offering increased product quality for the electronics and semiconductor industry, where greater surface integrity is required than what is currently achievable by other profiling methods, such as with lasers.
Water Jet Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
wjsuk.com
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 Water Jet Sweden’s Finecut machine has the potential to reduce kerf to 0.2mm, pending on-going trials.
 A sample of the miniature parts that can be cut on FAW machining centers.
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