Consider Before Buying?
A waterjet cutting machine is a serious investment for any company, small or large. So knowing what to consider before you purchase could save your business lots of time and cost. Below are some of the main things you should consider before buying a machine. Answering these questions will help determine the machine type that is best suited for your application.
Things to consider are:
COST
material
size
features
WHAT MATERIALS
With many other alternative cutting methods, the types of materials that are needing to be cut is the first point that you should focus on. However, because Waterjets can cut almost any material, the material to be cut is not so important. While almost any waterjet can cut almost any material, some machines are still better suited to certain materials. For example, when cutting steel you will typically choose a more powerful and a more accurate waterjet, so that you can cut it faster with more precision, compared to if you were cutting glass. Before we move on, let’s have a look at the range of materials that you can cut on a waterjet. Waterjets can quickly and accurately cut soft materials such as; rubber, foam, cork, and other gasket material with a pure water stream.
When cutting harder materials an abrasive is added into the stream. You can then cut almost any material, over a very wide range of thicknesses, for example;
VIRTUALLY ALL METALS
NON-TEMPERED GLASS
Composites
Laminates
Stone
Most ceramics
how many
Waterjets are great for both short run and prototype parts, but also for higher volume production application. The reason why waterjets are suitable for both has to do with the software that they are controlled by. Techni’s advanced control software can automatically program the cutting path of a desired part directly from a CAD, drawing meaning set up time is reduced between cuts. All you need to do is lightly secure the material in place, enter the material type and thickness into the control computer, and the machine will do the rest. This software capability is great for short run and one-off production parts. Nesting software on the other hand is ideal for mass production of parts with minimum waste. Techni’s machines are also capable of running without an operator present. This means large production runs can be set up on the machine and left without an operator to supervise while the machine produces the parts, often overnight and throughout the weekend. This is referred to as “Lights Out Cutting”.
what size of
Our waterjet machines come in a range of sizes to help suit all types of businesses and applications. These are things such as material types, part sizes, part accuracy, production runs, & workshop size and staff availability. If you have the room, we always consider pointing our customers in the direction of owning larger machines with bigger bed sizes, so that they are not met with the limitations in the future if they ever have the need to cut parts that are bigger in size. We are also aware that space limitations can be a major factor to consider, so we also have smaller machines available.
Our smallest machine, known as the I35 – G2, is sized at 1770L X 2600W X 2050H mm and is great for smaller workshops and small precision parts and prototype parts. Whereas our largest machine being I1020 – G2 which is sized at 8000L X 4200W x 2000H mm is great for bigger workshops, large parts and high production applications.
I35 – G2®
Techjet Upgrade Option – Linear Scale Feedback
Accuracy with upgrade 0.05mm/m – 0.002″
Repeatability with upgrade ± 0.025mm – 0.001″
Specifications
| MODULE | i35-G2 | MODULE | i35-G2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MACHINE SIZE (L x W x H) : Does not include pumps or control cabinet | 1700 x 2600 x 2050 mm 67” x 102.3” x 80.7” | CUTTING AREA MAXIMIZED | 870 x 1460 mm 34.2” x 57.5” |
| MACHINE WEIGHT | 1600 kg - 3530 lb | ACCURACY OF MOTION | 0.1 mm/m - 0.004” |
| MACHINE WEIGHT (with water) | 5200 kg - 12500 lb | REPEATABILITY OF MOTION | ± 0.025 mm - 0.001” |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION | 936 x 1576 mm 36.8” x 62” | MAX. AIR SPEED | 17.5 m/min - 700 in/min |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION (without PAC60) | 915 x 1525 mm 36” x 60” | MAX. CUTTING SPEED | 17.5 m/min - 700 in/min |
| BEVEL CUTTING AREA (with PAC60) | 915 x 1525 mm 36” x 60” | MAX. MATERIAL THICKNESS (with PAC60) | 200 mm - 8” (115 mm - 4.5”) |
I1033XL – G2®
Techjet Upgrade Option – Linear Scale Feedback
Accuracy with upgrade 0.05mm/m – 0.002″
Repeatability with upgrade ± 0.025mm – 0.001″
Specifications
| MODULE | i35-G2 | MODULE | i35-G2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MACHINE SIZE (L x W x H) : Does not include pumps or control cabinet | 12800 x 5400 x 2200 mm 503.9” x 212.6” x 86.6” | CUTTING AREA MAXIMIZED | 10000 x 3000 mm 393.7” x 118.1” |
| MACHINE WEIGHT | 10800 kg - 23800 lb | ACCURACY OF MOTION | ± 0.1 mm - 0.004” |
| MACHINE WEIGHT (with water) | 38800 kg - 85540 lb | REPEATABILITY OF MOTION | ± 0.05 mm - 0.002” |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION | 10150 x 3270 mm 399.6” x 128.7” | MAX. AIR SPEED | 17.5 m/min - 700 in/min |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION (without PAC60) | 10000 x 3000 mm 393.7” x 118.1” | MAX. CUTTING SPEED | 17.5 m/min - 700 in/min |
| BEVEL CUTTING AREA (with PAC60) | 10000 x 3000 mm 393.7” x 118.1 ” | MAX. MATERIAL THICKNESS (with PAC60) | 200 mm - 8” (175 mm - 7”) |
I510 – G2®
Techjet Upgrade Option – Linear Scale Feedback
Accuracy with upgrade 0.05mm/m – 0.002″ Repeatability with upgrade ± 0.025mm – 0.001″
Specifications
| MODULE | i510-G2 | MODULE | i510-G2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MACHINE SIZE (L x W x H) : Does not include pumps or control cabinet | 4200 x 2350 x 2050 mm 165” x 92” x 80.7” | CUTTING AREA MAXIMIZED | 1435 x 3005 mm 56.5” x 118” |
| MACHINE WEIGHT | 2010 kg - 4431 lb | ACCURACY OF MOTION | 0,12 mm/m - 0,005” |
| MACHINE WEIGHT (with water) | 6800 kg - 15000 lb | REPEATABILITY OF MOTION | ± 0.025 mm - 0.001” |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION | 1550 x 3125 mm 61” x 123” | MAX. AIR SPEED | 17.5 m/min - 700 in/min |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION (without PAC60) | 1525 x 3050 mm 60” x 120” | MAX. CUTTING SPEED | 17.5 m/min - 700 in/min |
| BEVEL CUTTING AREA (with PAC60) | 1160 x 2720 mm 45.6” x 107” | MAX. MATERIAL THICKNESS (with PAC60) | 200 mm - 8” (115 mm - 4.5”) |
I612 – G2®
Techjet Upgrade Option – Linear Scale Feedback
Accuracy with upgrade 0.05mm/m – 0.002″ Repeatability with upgrade ± 0.025mm – 0.001″
Specifications
| MODULE | i612-G2 | MODULE | i612-G2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MACHINE SIZE (L x W x H) : Does not include pumps or control cabinet | 4900 x 2650 x 2050 mm 193″ x 104.3″ x 80.7″ | CUTTING AREA MAXIMIZED | not available |
| MACHINE WEIGHT | 2300 kg - 5140 lb | ACCURACY OF MOTION | ± 0.15 mm – 0.006″ |
| MACHINE WEIGHT (with water) | 8700 kg - 19180 lb | REPEATABILITY OF MOTION | ± 0.05 mm – 0.002″ |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION | 1860 x 3690 mm 73.2″ x 145.3″ | MAX. AIR SPEED | 17.5 m/min – 700 ipm |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION (without PAC60) | 1830 x 3660 mm 72” x 144” | MAX. CUTTING SPEED | 17.5 m/min - 700 in/min |
| BEVEL CUTTING AREA (with PAC60) | not available | MAX. MATERIAL THICKNESS (with PAC60) | 200 mm – 8″ (not available) |
I613 – G2®
Techjet Upgrade Option – Linear Scale Feedback
Accuracy with upgrade 0.05mm/m – 0.002″ Repeatability with upgrade ± 0.025mm – 0.001″
Specifications
| MODULE | i613-G2 | MODULE | i613-G2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MACHINE SIZE (L x W x H) : Does not include pumps or control cabinet | 5200 x 2700 x 2300 mm 205″ x 106″ x 91″ | CUTTING AREA MAXIMIZED | 1700 x 3700 mm 67″ x 145.6″ |
| MACHINE WEIGHT | 3600 kg – 7950 lbs | ACCURACY OF MOTION | 0.15 mm / m – 0.006″ |
| MACHINE WEIGHT (with water) | 8100 kg – 17860 lbs | REPEATABILITY OF MOTION | ± 0.05 mm – 0.002″ |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION | 1930 x 3870 mm 76″ x 152.3″ | MAX. AIR SPEED | 17.5 m/min – 700 ipm |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION (without PAC60) | 1700 x 3700 mm 67″ x 145.6″ | MAX. CUTTING SPEED | 17.5 m/min - 700 in/min |
| BEVEL CUTTING AREA (with PAC60) | 1700 x 3700 mm 67″ x 145.6″ | MAX. MATERIAL THICKNESS (with PAC60) | 130 mm – 5″ (130 mm – 5″) |
I713 – G2®
Techjet Upgrade Option – Linear Scale Feedback
Accuracy with upgrade 0.05mm/m – 0.002″ Repeatability with upgrade ± 0.025mm – 0.001″
Specifications
| MODULE | i713-G2 | MODULE | i713-G2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MACHINE SIZE (L x W x H) : Does not include pumps or control cabinet | 5800 x 3100 x 2100 mm 228″ x 122″ x 82.5″ | CUTTING AREA MAXIMIZED | 1900 x 4000 mm 74.8″ x 157.5″ |
| MACHINE WEIGHT | 6000 kg – 13230 lbs | ACCURACY OF MOTION | 0.15 mm / m – 0.006″ |
| MACHINE WEIGHT (with water) | 13600 kg – 30000 lbs | REPEATABILITY OF MOTION | ± 0.05 mm – 0.002″ |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION | 2000 x 4000 mm 78.7″ x 157.5″ | MAX. AIR SPEED | 17.5 m/min – 700 ipm |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION (without PAC60) | 2000 x 4000 mm 78.7″ x 157.5″ | MAX. CUTTING SPEED | 17.5 m/min - 700 in/min |
| BEVEL CUTTING AREA (with PAC60) | 1640 x 3680 mm 64.5″ x 144.8″ | MAX. MATERIAL THICKNESS (with PAC60) | 200 mm – 8″ (200mm – 8″) |
I1020 – G2®
Techjet Upgrade Option – Linear Scale Feedback
Accuracy with upgrade 0.05mm/m – 0.002″ Repeatability with upgrade ± 0.025mm – 0.001″
Specifications
| MODULE | i1020-G2 | MODULE | i1020-G2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MACHINE SIZE (L x W x H) : Does not include pumps or control cabinet | 8000 x 4200 x 2000 mm 315″ x 165.3″ x 78.7″ | CUTTING AREA MAXIMIZED | 3030 x 6100 mm 119.2″ x 240″ |
| MACHINE WEIGHT | 21920 kg – 48330 lbs | ACCURACY OF MOTION | ± 0.15 mm – 0.006″ |
| MACHINE WEIGHT (with water) | 21920 kg – 48330 lbs | REPEATABILITY OF MOTION | ± 0.05 mm – 0.002″ |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION | 3200 x 6250 mm 126″ x 246″ | MAX. AIR SPEED | 17.5 m/min – 700 ipm |
| CUTTING TABLE DIMENSION (without PAC60) | 3050 x 6100 mm 120″ x 240″ | MAX. CUTTING SPEED | 17.5 m/min - 700 in/min |
| BEVEL CUTTING AREA (with PAC60) | 2770 x 5820 mm 109″ x 229″ | MAX. MATERIAL THICKNESS (with PAC60) | 200 mm – 8″ (200mm – 8″) |
What kind of
There are a few different types of pumps for waterjet machines, so deciding which one can become quite overwhelming for first time buyers. Luckily for you, our team of engineers has designed pumps that perfectly fit our waterjet machines, to provide you with the ultimate performance when cutting while also saving you money. When looking for a pump for your waterjet machine, you want to ensure it is going to provide an output pressure that is extremely accurate and consistent. The reason these two factors are so important during the cutting process is because you want to eliminate all pressure spikes. If pressure spikes occur during the cutting process, it can cause inaccuracy to the cut and the overall finished product.
Our Quantum NXT pumps are engineered on the basis of eliminating pressure spikes and they are proven to be 60% more efficient than standard hydraulic intensifiers.
You can read more about our Quantum Nxt range of pumps here
What kind of
No Heat
Complex Shapes & Designs
Low Waste Volumes
Ease of Use
What kind of
1
2
What kind of
A number of factors need to be taken into account when calculating an accurate figure for the operating cost of an abrasive Waterjet cutting machine. These are factors such as; Utility costs (electricity and water), consumables (abrasive material, cutting head parts etc), operator time, programming time and maintenance costs.
A typical Waterjet machine will cost around $15 – $50 per hour to operate when all these factors are considered. Some of these factors are influenced by the speed you want to cut at and the thickness and hardness of the materials being cut.
These costs are minimised in a Techni Waterjet by; using the most efficient pump on the market, making programming quick and simple to minimise the programming time, allowing for lights out operation to minimise operator time, installing an Abrasive Removal System to automatically remove the abrasive from the tank, installing an efficient cutting head which minimises garnet use and maximises cutting speeds, and having a machine which is designed to deal with the very harsh Waterjet environment to minimise maintenance and maximise up time.
