FOCUS ON WATERJET CUTTING
Eckert AS Sp. z o. o. is a Polish manufacturer of CNC cutting machines, working across three technologies( plasma, oxyfuel and waterjet cutting) or combined technologies. Its Opal Waterjet cutting system features a wide range of equipment options, including a powerful ProX 3D cutting head. It is suitable for most materials up to 250mm in thickness.
Its Opal Waterjet Combo is a patented, rapid CNC waterjet for plasma and waterjet cutting. Equipped with the Pro-X 3D waterjet cutting head, it combines the advantages of ultra-fast plasma cutting and precision waterjet cutting.
“ Our Opal Waterjet Combo is, we believe, the world’ s fastest waterjet, through a unique combination of waterjet and plasma technology. Optionally configurable with 2D and 3D cutting heads, depending upon the application, it cuts materials up to 250mm thick,” Eckert explained.
The new Taper X 3D tilt-head waterjet support in the Eckert range is even faster for waterjet machines in its line-up. Now its customers can order a waterjet cutting machine, Opal Waterjet or Opal Waterjet Combo, equipped with the Taper X 3D tilting waterjet head.
ESAB Welding & Cutting Products offers its Hydrocut™ HDX large gantry waterjetcutting system which combines waterjet with other cutting and marking processes( e. g. plasma cutting; plasma marking; oxy-fuel cutting or plate lettering / marking tools). The Hydrocut HDX can be equipped with up to four waterjet cutting heads, two oxy-fuel stations and up to two plasma stations, including ESAB’ s DMX Plasma Beveller. Floor-mounted crane rails and a rigid gantry are combined with digital AC drive amplifiers, brushless AC motors and gearboxes.
Left: Flow’ s EchoJet.
Above: Cutting on Flow’ s NanoJet.
At last October’ s EuroBLECH exhibition, ESAB’ s cutting software specialists provided demonstrations of Columbus™ version 2.4, a powerful CAD / CAM programming and nesting software optimised for plasma, oxy-fuel, laserand waterjet cutting. This latest version of Columbus offers various new features and updates designed to make programming easier and more efficient, improve material utilisation, increase productivity and streamline workflow.
Flexicon’ s JET-FEED™ garnet delivery system automatically feeds garnet directly from bulk bags to waterjet cutters.
In February 2024, Flow International Corporation celebrated its 50th anniversary. It is a global specialist in the development, engineering and marketing of ultra highpressure pumps and complete 2D and 3D waterjet cutting systems.
Flow’ s new Mach 150 waterjet cutting system is designed for entry-level users. Its Mach 200c features an innovative canted bridge design for full work envelope usage, distinguishing it from standard open gantry systems. Other Flow cutting systems include the Mach 500 and the EchoJet, a fully enclosed waterjet solution( with five-axis capabilities). The EchoJet’ s compact design allows it to fit in smaller spaces, where a smaller footprint is required.
The NanoJet is a small-format waterjet machining centre and fully enclosed, all-in-one solution. Flow’ s Motojet X intensifier pump technology includes its Hyplex Prime pump, the next generation of energy-efficient, directdrive, ultra high-pressure waterjet pumps.
H. G. RIDDER Automatisierungs GmbH( founded in 1980) has produced the 2D and 3D WARICUT waterjet cutting machines in a wide variety of designs( including the WARICUT micro-max waterjet micro cutter)
since 1991. It has also been producing energyefficient, high-pressure pumps for several years. Its WARICUT micromax is a micro waterjet cutting machine in both 2D and 3D versions.
Hypertherm Asssociates’ products include Hypertherm( R) plasma and OMAX ® waterjet systems, as well as CNCs, software and automated systems. See OMAX entry for further details.
In December 2024, Hypertherm Associates and BLM GROUP announced a strategic partnership agreement aimed at expanding the market reach of their respective solutions. They will collaborate to offer solutions to customers through BLM GROUP’ s lasercutting and tube-bending systems and Hypertherm Associates’ plasma and waterjetcutting products and software.
IGEMS( Sweden) offers products such as CAD / CAM & Nest software for waterjetcutting in both 2D and 3D( ranging from one-axis cutting to six-axis bevel cutting on a rotation axis), as well as a modern CNC for waterjets( together with Beckhoff). Its Tilter is a versatile 5x kinematic mechanism because it can handle 45 ° bevels and taper angle compensation. The IGEMS Rounder measures, calculates and compensates for deviation in five-axis waterjet cutting, calibrating to the cutting head.
IGEMS CAD / CAM software.
“ The IGEMS CNC Snapper takes detailed and accurate photos of the cutting table. The image provides the basis for optimal positioning in the NC program, saving time and minimizing material use. The IGEMS Straighter is a handy and advanced tool that clips onto the machine’ s mixing tube. It’ s a matter of seconds until the five-axis kinematic perpendicular angle is as straight as an arrow,” it explained.
Intermac( part of the Biesse Group) offers its Primus range of waterjet cutting systems. The five-axis cutting head is fitted with the patented Intermac infinite rotating C-axis system for making tilted cuts(+/-60 °) on complex profiles, with no limits. This system,
54 | ismr. net | ISMR May 2025