September, 2024: As machine tool builders create better metal cutting capabilities with their equipment, they will also work to enhance the operator interface. That was the case for Omax Corp. when the abrasive waterjet machine builder launched its OptiMAX flagship product line about two years ago, says Arion Vandergon, product marketing manager for the Kent, Washington, company.
“Think of it as the fully loaded version,” he says of OptiMAX, which has over 100 installations to date. “It’s really focused on improving ease of use and reducing the demand on the operator, making it as simple as possible to set up and operate a waterjet and have optimal cutting outcomes.”
The line includes the 60X with a cutting envelope of 10 ft. by 5 ft. 2 in., the 80X with a cutting envelope of 13 feet 4 inches by 6 feet 8 inches and the 80X-1, which has a table that’s 80 inches longer than the 80X. All the models operate the same and provide the same outcome, Vandergon notes. “It really comes down to your layout, your available space in the shop, and what type of raw material you’re using.”
HOME DELIVERY
OptiMAX waterjets are controlled by the IntelliMAX software suite, which the company also uses for other equipment. With an improvement to the software, Vandergon says closed-loop feedback is possible, enabling homing into the middle of the table to a magnetic marker on the encoder strip, instead of the conventional method of homing to a hard stop or limit switch.
Without risk of the bridge or carriage crashing into anything, the homing process is significantly faster when starting a waterjet each day. Instead of potentially consuming minutes to perform, “the entire X, Y, Z homing routine takes 30 seconds or less.”
In addition, once the homing routine has established the positional offset between X1 and X2 axes and absolute position for each drive, the software ensures the X axes are square before each cut is started and after each cut is finished, he says.
The OptiMAX waterjets are available with the TiltaJET cutting head to eliminate taper in cut parts. In addition, the IntelliTAPER taper compensation method can also be enabled when a waterjet has the VersaJET 5-axis cutting head, where every encoder step is calculating every motion point and pre-calculating the exact tilt that is required to off set that taper, Vandergon explains.
Instead of taking an entire line segment and calculating the taper across that segment, calculating individually along the segment especially when it is an arc or similar feature significantly improves the accuracy of the taper compensation.
He adds that VersaJET allows beveling to just under 60 degrees, enabling the production of countersinks and complex contours. “Think of a turbine blade. You’re able to cut that profile with the VersaJET.”
The OptiMAX JetMachining Centers from Omax are controlled by the IntelliMAX software suite
E-COMMERCE
IDENTIFY & ORDER
One of the main reasons waterjet users call technical support is to identify parts on a machine, says Arion Vandergon, product marketing manager for Omax Corp. To access part numbers and names, as well as purchase parts, the builder of abrasive waterjet machines released its Omax Order mobile application this year.
“All the information that operators would need for maintenance of the system is in their hands,” he says.
To begin the process of finding a part number, which might not be marked on the part, a user enters the serial number of the machine, and the app loads that machine’s specific table for review, Vandergon explains. The user then indicates where the part is located, such as the pump or nozzle, and the app provides an exploded view of the component. “You can dive into the specific item, click on it and get the exact part number and name.”
Because the app is linked to a customer’s e-commerce, account, the customer can order parts through the app or build a cart of parts and send it to the customer’s purchasing group, Vandergon says.
If a customer prefers, parts can still be ordered through the previously available account or by phone, which would be needed at production facilities that don’t allow workers to have smartphones on the shop floor or in the facility. “It’s just adding one additional method to order parts, making it as easy as possible to order.”
In addition to making a one-time purchase, Vandergon says the app has a subscription function to enable re-ordering based on a set timeframe, such as one that recurs monthly. Also, Omax Order enables customers to handle contract services, selecting a service package and enabling a technician to come and service the waterjet.
Vandergon says Omax will continue to add new features and build out the app. “Eventually, every single component of a machine that’s replaceable or maintainable will be in that app for either ordering or at least part identification.”
For cutting pipe and tube, for example, Omax is developing a rotary sixth axis, which is internal to the tank, for the OptiMAX, Vandergon says. “It’ll be coming out in the next few months.”
WATER WORLD
When needed, water handling options can be ordered. One is a chiller to reduce the water temperature to the desired 70 degrees Fahrenheit, he notes. In warmer regions where the temperature of the incoming water might be 75 to 80 degrees, water that’s not chilled could cause premature wear on the pump seals and reduce system reliability.
Water filtration is also available, ranging from a pre-filter kit to a nanofiltration, or reverse osmosis, system, Vandergon adds. However, completely cleaning the water can be corrosive to some metal components.
“It’s a balancing act. You need to clean it up to the optimum total dissolved solids level for waterjet systems, and typically that is from 50 parts per million to about 150 parts per million.” The nanofiltration systems available deliver this optimal level.
When cutting hazardous materials, or the waterjet is in a location where disposing of anything in not allowed or there is no reliable water source, he says Omax offers water recycling systems to create a closed loop. Recycling takes the wastewater out of the tank, filters and chills it, and then feeds it back to the pump to be reused. The tank will need to be topped off due to evaporation, but nothing is being dumped down the drain.
Omax Corp., 800/838-0343, omax.com
