Successful shops understand that a clean and
well-maintained workspace is key to maximizing productivity. The workspace
extends to the machinery. With abrasive waterjet machines, it extends to the
tank. We’ve gathered five best practice tips to keep your abrasive waterjet
tank in top condition and your production running at peak efficiency.
1. Rotate the Slats
The slats
that support the material in your abrasive waterjet erode over time and will
eventually need to be replaced. You can greatly extend the working life of your
removable slats by periodically rotating them. The slats can be flipped
horizontally, flipped vertically, or moved to a different area of the table.
Create a schedule to inspect and rotate the slats at least once a month. Any
weakened and worn slats should be replaced. When replacing a defective slat,
also inspect the slat holder for excessive wear. Worn slat holders should also
be replaced. New sets of galvanized steel slats can be ordered directly from
OMAX.
2. Cut Under Water
One big
advantage of cutting under water is that it dramatically reduces noise. It also
prevents abrasive and material particles from splashing on machine components
and the work area. This helps keep the work environment clean and extends the
life of the machine’s components. Cutting under water can also reduce or
eliminate the surface “frosting” that can appear on the top edge of a cut. One
more, somewhat counterintuitive benefit to cutting under water is that parts
rust less when submerged. Being under water prevents the constant splash of
water, then air, then water, and then air, which accelerates the rusting
process.
3. Remove Abrasive Waste
Since
abrasive and metal particles are constantly accumulating in the tank, it is
necessary to remove the accumulated waste deposits on a regular basis. When
large quantities of abrasive particles quickly settle on the material being
machined, it is usually a good indicator that too much waste material is being
held in the tank and that waste needs to be removed. If you are removing
abrasive material from the bottom of the tank by hand, it is best to drain
water from the tank completely first. The drier the abrasive, the easier it
shovels out. Using a pointed shovel is probably the most effective way of
emptying the tank by hand. The OMAX Variable Speed Solids Removal System
(VS-SRS) is an effective alternative to manually cleaning the tank.
4. Tank Cleaning Software
If you
are using a Variable Speed Solids Removal System with your abrasive waterjet
tank, you can greatly enhance the system’s effectiveness by running the tank
cleaning program in OMAX MAKE. This program runs a stream of water back and
forth across the entire table, agitating abrasive and material waste that tends
to collect in piles on the bottom of the waterjet tank. The VS-SRS can then
efficiently remove the circulating waste particles from the tank.
5. Change the Nozzle Test Location
To verify
the pump and nozzle are working correctly, conduct tests on a regular basis.
These tests should typically be performed following nozzle maintenance, after
clearing a plugged nozzle, or at the start of the day to verify proper
operation. The stream from a waterjet is powerful enough that it will
eventually cut a hole in almost anything in its way, including the floor of the
tank. When testing the nozzle, frequently change the location along the table
where you run the tests to avoid piercing through the tank.
For More Information, Get in touch with our Welding andCutting Division to know more about Abrasive Waterjet Cutting .
German-Gulf Enterprises Ltd is the authorized dealer of Omax Waterjets.
We can be reached at +971 6 5316171 or F: +971 6 5314184. Our
email address is welding@german-gulf.com
