August 2009 - Business is often regarded with an every-company-for-itself mentality, but in truth, no business can be successful without positive relationships with suppliers and customers. And in many cases, a strategic alliance can boost market profiles and increase capabilities for the companies involved.

Understanding this, Flow International Corp., Kent, Wash., a developer of ultra-high-pressure waterjets, has formed a strategic alliance with Kuka Robot Group, Augsburg, Germany, a robotic automation specialist.

"This alliance expands Flow's total solution portfolio globally" says Dick LeBlanc, executive vice president of advanced systems business for Flow. "It's our intent to always provide our customers with the most cost-effective approach to a complete system in addressing their manufacturing needs."

Precise demands
As robotic waterjet cutting applications grow, so do demands from manufacturers for precise and efficient production requirements.

"Kuka is honored to be selected by Flow to provide high-accuracy technology for the future growth of robotic waterjet cutting applications," said Stuart Shepherd, president of Kuka, in a press release.

Although waterjet cutting hasn't been one of Kuka's primary applications, the company has had notable success when using its robots for the process. One customer featured on the company's Web site uses a robotic cell with four Kuka KR 15 robots equipped with waterjet nozzles to cut apertures into automobile carpet. The results include increased flexibility and responsiveness to cutting-pattern changes, as well as greater overall maneuverability.

A testament to their versatility, Kuka robots are implemented in industries such as appliance, automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical, medical and plastics, and in applications that include material handling, assembly, welding and surface finishing. No matter the use, all Kuka robots are controlled from a common PC-based controller platform.

As for Flow, it has robotic solutions that assist customers in areas such as testing and inspection, material handling cells, waterjet cutting, and waterjet cleaning cells. Taking the next step and forming an alliance with Kuka was a matter of anticipating the changing needs of its diverse customers.

"With the proliferation of composites across all industries, the use of the abrasive waterjet process invented by Flow will continue to open up new markets and applications," says LeBlanc. "Additionally, more 3-D metal cutting applications will be made possible through a lower overall cost solution.

"A major contributing factor to selecting Kuka as our partner was the accuracy of their product line when creating part programs off-line," he adds. MM