Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Jet Edge Introduces New Contact Height Sensor for Waterjet Cutting

Jet Edge, Inc., is pleased to introduce a new Contact Height Sensor for its High Rail Gantry waterjet cutting system.

With Jet Edge’s Contact Height Sensor, waterjet operators can overcome significant fluctuations in material flatness by maintaining a constant automatic standoff within approximately 0.040” (1 mm) of a set standoff height. As a result, they will achieve optimum cut quality, tolerance, taper and speed without having to monitor the standoff.

Jet Edge’s Contact Height Sensor senses directly around the nozzle so the information is as close as possible to the nozzle location. The sensor arm can either ride on the plate or have infinite programming for the time it is in contact and raised. This gives operators complete control over how they want the height sensing to work for their application.

Jet Edge’s AquaVision Di controller software also provides feature avoidance for the Contact Height Sensor. This protects the height sensor and cutting head by automatically providing a tool path that will not allow the cutting head to pass over a previously-cut part which can tip up after being cut. The software also can be configured to independently control up to four cutting heads with height sensing.

Jet Edge’s Contact Height Sensor is compatible with the company’s Permalign abrasivejet cutting head.

About the Jet Edge High Rail Gantry Waterjet System
Capable of producing complex parts out of virtually any material, the Jet Edge High Rail Gantry waterjet cutting system features a stable overhead design that allows full access to the work envelope and raises critical components out of the process environment.

Jet Edge utilizes high-volume, low-pressure air around the ball screws and linear motion guides and bearings, which increases durability by preventing contamination from entering these areas. The High Rail Gantry has a +/- 0.005” accuracy of motion over the entire work envelope, +/- 0.001" linear positional accuracy over 12” travel per axis and +/- 0.001" repeatability (bi-directional). It is available in 2’ (0.6m) increments from 4X4’ (1.2X1.2m) to 24X14’ (7.3x4.3m). Custom sizes are available, and the system can easily be expanded in place as a business grows. All Jet Edge precision gantries isolate the catcher tank from the motion system thereby eliminating any vibration in either component allowing maximum part quality.

About Jet Edge
Established in 1984, Jet Edge is a global designer and manufacturer of waterjet systems for precision cutting, surface preparation and coating removal. Jet Edge systems are used around the world in a broad range of industries, from the world's leading airlines to automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturers, machine and job shops. Jet Edge waterjet systems are proudly made in the U.S.A.

For more information about Jet Edge, visit www.jetedge.com, e-mail sales@jetedge.com or call 1-800-JET-EDGE (538-3343).