Abrasive Water Jet produces 87,000 psi pressure.
Press Release Summary:
HyperJet(TM) cuts sheet metal without creating heat-affected zone (HAZ). It can easily switch shapes, material, and thickness without set up, tooling, or fixturing changes required by other cutting processes, such as laser and punch press. To optimize specific applications of sheet metal cutting, it moves material from left to right under cutting head that moves from front to back.
Original Press Release:
Introducing the HyperJet(TM) from Flow International Corporation, the First Commercial Application of 87,000 psi Abrasive Waterjet Cutting
HyperJet Enables Manufacturers to Move to Lean Manufacturing Practices Through Faster, More Versatile Cutting
KENT, Wash., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to market demand for lean parts production capabilities, Flow International Corporation (Nasdaq: FLOW) today introduced the HyperJet abrasive waterjet cutting machine at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, Ill.
World's first 87,000 psi machine enables faster, more cost-effective cuttingThe HyperJet will revolutionize waterjet cutting for the sheet metal industry through the world's first commercially viable application of 87,000 psi (pounds per square inch) Hyper Pressure waterjet pump. Harnessing the power of 87,000 psi, the HyperJet can cut 30 percent to 40 percent faster than lower pressure machines and uses 40 percent less abrasive to help reduce operating costs.
Greater flexibility equals lean, just-in-time parts productionFor years, manufacturers have searched for economical methods to produce a variety of parts quickly to help maximize profits. Traditional cutting processes such as laser and punch press require lengthy and expensive set-up times in order to cut different parts. However, the HyperJet, like all waterjets, can easily switch shapes, material, and thickness without the time consuming set up, tooling, or fixturing changes required by other machine tool processes. As a result, manufacturers are able to produce a variety of parts quickly and efficiently, as they are needed, without pausing operations to change presses, gases, or cutting heads.
Unique design splits cutting motion for greater precision
To optimize specific applications of sheet metal cutting, the HyperJet features a unique machine design that moves material from left to right under a cutting head that moves from front to back. By splitting the cutting motion between the work piece and cutting head, the dynamics of motion are improved, cuts are faster and more precise.
Additional user benefits
Users of the HyperJet machine will also realize:
-- Greater flexibility in manufacturing a wide variety of materials
-- Easier loading and unloading of material
-- Lower cost and complexity than competing technologies
-- Simpler, ease-of-use operation with no tool or setup changes
-- Faster cutting of thin-gauge material than conventional pressure waterjets
-- No heat-affected zone (HAZ)
"The HyperJet is a breakthrough that makes Flow's waterjets highly competitive against laser cutting and punch presses in nearly all applications, greatly expanding the available market," said Ron Tarrant, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Flow International. "This technology provides manufacturers a solution that can make lean and just in time production a practical reality."
Flow International Corporation is the world's leading developer and manufacturer of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) waterjet technology for cutting, cleaning and food safety applications. Flow provides total system solutions for industries including automotive, aerospace, paper, surface preparation and food processing.
CONTACT: Michael Ruppenthal of Flow International Corporation, +1-253-850-3500, or mruppenthal@flowcorp.com.
