In a unique fusion of faith, artistry and manufacturing technology, Living Water Studios of Kent, Wash., has found an enduring new purpose for its parent company’s industrial water jet cutting machines. These high-tech machines, which normally are abuzz cutting titanium aircraft parts and other components at the Pegasus Northwest water jet shop, have found a second calling sharing the water jet company’s Christian faith through stunning works of art.
Sequestered in a quiet loft not far from Pegasus Northwest’s five pulsing Jet Edge waterjet cutting machines, Living Water Studios is a surprising respite within an otherwise bustling manufacturing facility. The Christian art studio opened in late 2009, the inspiration of Pegasus Northwest President Tim Schober, who wanted to share his faith through artistic signs fashioned from a sister company’s unique architectural resin product, Lumicor®. Lumicor is a translucent material made from R4 recycled resins that incorporates natural elements such as leaves, reeds, grass, silks, metal and glass as an inter layer.
Living Water Studios makes its Lumicor signs by cutting small panels out of Lumicor, which is pre-drilled on the waterjet to prevent delamination, then hand cut with a router. To minimize material waste, the studio uses pieces of Lumicor that have been salvaged from flawed panels, cutting around the flaws. It uses a vinyl plotter to apply Christian sayings or humorous expressions to the surface in vinyl lettering, creating works of art that appeal to the eye as well as to the soul or funny bone.
Since launching its initial Lumicor products, Living Water’s creative team has expanded its product line under the artistic direction of designer Konstantin Voyevodin. The studio now offers “Statements in Stone” rock art that has been “chiseled” in stone by a 60,000 psi computer-controlled waterjet cutter as well as metal artwork that breathes new life to remnant material from the water jet shop that otherwise might have been scrapped.
Nothing is wasted in the waterjet shop, not even the worn-out work surface slats from the waterjets themselves, says Ron Palstring, general manager of Pegasus Northwest and Living Water Studios. Living Water Studios has cleverly repurposed its waterjet slats as rusted metal artwork, saving them from the scrap bin.
“We have been doing a lot of experimenting here,” Palstring noted. “It’s amazing what you can come up with when you have five brains working on it. We have a lot of customers who like the look of rusted metal, so the slats were a perfect choice. We took a look at a few designs, made some samples, and everyone loved them!”
Palstring credits waterjet technology for allowing Living Water Studios unlimited artistic possibilities.
"The waterjet is limitless,” he said. “We can design Statements in Stone rock art that weighs 50 pounds and is 1foot long or we can get creative and use 500 pounds rocks that are 5 feet long. It is because of the waterjet that we are able to create unique products that you cannot find anywhere else.”
Living Water Studios artwork is available at http://www.livingwaterstudios.com/. The company also sells its products at Christian gift shows around the country and plans to sell through retail stores and churches as it continues to grow. Its recycled water jet slat artwork will be available soon on www.amazon.com.
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.
Water jet contractor AK Services made history recently by cutting the largest-ever access hole in an active U.S. Department of Energy radioactive waste storage tank at the DOE’s Hanford Site in southeastern Washington. The Boston-area water jet contractor cut a 55-inch diameter hole in the top of the underground tank to allow for the installation of a robotic system that will remove 247,000 gallons of radioactive and chemical waste stored in the tank during the Manhattan Project and Cold War so it can be vitrified for safer storage.
Battling freezing temperatures and the challenges of running remote-controlled ultra-high pressure water jet equipment from a 300-foot distance, AK Services used a specially engineered abrasive water jet cutting machine to make the huge cut through 15 inches of concrete and steel rebar in just 22 hours. They performed the cut at 8 inches per hour using an abrasivejet of garnet grit mixed with 3 gallons per minute of water pressurized to 48,000 psi with a Jet Edge waterjet intensifier pump.
The finished cut is the culmination of more than a year of careful planning and preparation by AK Services and Hanford Site Tank Farms prime contractor Washington River Protection Solutions to ensure worker safety and protection of the environment, said Kent Smith, WRPS deputy manager of retrieval and closure operations.
AK Services spent a year developing the water jet cutting system for the project and testing different abrasives to get consistent data for rate of advance and garnet usage, said Carl Franson, AK Services vice president of operations.
“The motion device had to be specially developed to secure itself inside a 75-inch steel riser and cut a 55-inch hole,” Franson explained. “We also needed to be able to level the motion device to make sure it did not drag the abrasivejet focusing tubes on the concrete surface.”
AK Services engineered a three-piece stainless steel motion system with two circles separated by guide bushings with a ring gear in the middle. The ring gear features four redundant Jet Edge High Flow Abrasivejet cutting heads in case of failure and is driven by a set of reduction gears and a drive motor to achieve the proper cutting rate. Pneumatically actuated rams are placed on the sides and bottom to level and secure the system.
“We were able to do the entire cut with the one lead cutting head,” Franson noted. “We used a Jet Edge High Flow Abrasivejet cutting head with a Roctec 100 focusing tube rather than the standard tungsten carbide and we ordered diamond orifices from Jet Edge to ensure the longest life possible.”
Once the system was in place, the cut itself was easy according to Franson, though not without challenges.
“The biggest challenge was running the equipment from 300 feet away,” he said. “The tank top is in a radiation area and entry to the area is regulated to the extent that anything that enters the tank farm must be scanned and cleared prior to being released out of the fenced-in restricted area. The pumps and control systems had to be outside of the restricted area to ensure they did not become contaminated with radiation and then becoming the property of the DOE. We also had the added challenge of winter weather, so we installed air dryers and used air line antifreeze to keep the system from freezing up. The UHP lines were kept running, but as the temperatures dropped, we blew them out with air.”
After the concrete plug was lifted from the tank, it was immediately wrapped in a plastic sleeve to prevent spread of contamination and then was placed in an isolated area where it is being staged for disposal at the Hanford Site. A large riser was placed in the hole to support the robotic retrieval system. According to the DOE, the riser has a shield plug bolted to its opening and thick gasket material around its outside to seal the hole. The DOE plans to begin retrieving waste from the tank this summer. The tank is one of more than 100 similar underground tanks that the DOE is cleaning out as part of its environmental cleanup effort at the Hanford Site, which was once home to nine nuclear reactors that produced plutonium for the Manahattan Project and the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Hanford is considered the most contaminated nuclear site in the U.S.
For more information about Jet Edge, visit http://www.jetedge.com/, call 1-800-JET-EDGE (538-3343) or 763-497-8700.
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.
The “Great Recession” has been no match for Pegasus Northwest of Kent, Wash. The Boeing-certified industrial water jet cutting shop has increased sales by 57% since 2007, keeping its five Jet Edge water jet cutting machines humming 20 hours a day weekdays and 12 hours a day weekends.
Established in 1970, Pegasus Northwest has built a thriving business using computer-controlled 60,000 psi water jets to cut parts from virtually any material up to 14” thick for a wide variety of industries, including military, marine, automotive, architectural and aerospace. It counts Boeing among its major longtime customers, and credits the aerospace manufacturer for inspiring it to enter the precision water jet cutting market in 1997.
Pegasus Northwest General Manager Ron Palstring attributes his company’s stunning success throughout the recession to its decision to invest in its quality program and greatly increase sales and marketing efforts.
While other businesses went into bunker mode, Pegasus Northwest took the initiative to become the first AS9100-certified company in Washington and hired a full-time sales and marketing manager to drum up new business. As a result, the water jet company is running at 70% capacity and has even installed two additional Jet Edge water jet cutting machines to keep up with demand.
“Currently Pegasus is the only AS9100-certified company in the state of Washington,” Palstring noted. “Boeing is a big part of our business, and we knew if we could become certified it would be to our advantage. The price tag for such certification was over $30,000 plus a lot of hard work from our quality manager and the entire staff. We have to pass annual audits and follow strict rules and procedures.”
Pegasus’s commitment to its quality program and experience meeting stringent aerospace industry performance requirements have helped it grow into one of the largest water jet shops in the Pacific Northwest, Palstring added, emphasizing that the company adheres to the same quality control practices for all of its customers as it does for Boeing.
“We are known for our quality and three-day turnaround,” he said. “We can hold tight tolerances, ± .005” in most cases and sometimes even tighter depending on the material. We can cut thick materials and only leave +.060” excess per side, and we have drills mounted on our waterjets so we can pre-drill sensitive materials such as composites. We also invest in diamond water jet orifices. The diamond heads last us approximately six months and gain us efficiency, accuracy and increased nozzle life.”
Palstring is quick to point out that his company’s decision to invest in consistently accurate Jet Edge water jets has not only given them an edge on quality, but also has won them Boeing’s confidence to calibrate their own machines.
“Boeing approved and qualified our Jet Edge machines because of their consistency in accuracy,” he said. “We did this by collecting data for quarterly ball bar and laser calibrations over the past two years. Now Pegasus has authorization to ball bar and laser our own machines per our quality procedures. This is a huge time and cost saver.”
The Jet Edge machines’ accuracy also helps Pegasus keep pricing competitive because it is able to cut parts net to customers’ specifications, Palstring added.
“We can offer this because of our machine accuracy and skilled machine operators,” he explained. “All of our water jet operators control their cutter compensation and manage the tool wear (nozzle life).”
Pegasus’s Jet Edge water jet tables include a 12’x14’ with two heads and a drill, a 12’X8’ with two heads and a drill, a 6’X10’ with four heads and a drill, an 8’X10’ with four heads, and a 6’X10’ with two heads. Some of its machines have seen more than 10 years of service, including the 18-year-old 6’x10’ system. The water jets are powered by a 50hp, 100hp and three 150hp waterjet pumps. All five machines are plumbed to each pump to prevent downtime.
“I’m happy I went with Jet Edge and would purchase another machine if needed,” Palstring said. “I like our Jet Edges so much that I even offer tours of our facility to their prospective customers who are not direct competitors. Jet Edge has excellent machine accuracy and reliability as well as pump and seal life, and I love that its systems have main Z and sub Z motors for individually controlling each water jet nozzle. Jet Edge also has excellent customer service and tech support, plus a knowledgeable local sales rep and engineering staff.”
For more information about Jet Edge, visit http://www.jetedge.com/, call 1-800-JET-EDGE (538-3343) or 763-497-8700.
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.
About the ECUBE 6200Compared to hydraulic water jet intensifier pumps, the ECUBE intelligent pump uses 30% less electricity, has 80% fewer components, and does not require cooling water (comparable hydraulic pump uses 2.5 gpm without closed-loop filtration system) or hydraulic fluid (comparable hydraulic pump requires 45 gallons). At 6200 bar, ECUBE uses 50% less abrasive than a 4100 bar water jet pump.
Jet Edge, Inc., a leading manufacturer of ultra-high pressure industrial water jet systems for precision cutting, coating removal and surface preparation, is pleased to announce the opening of its new water jet sales, service and showroom office in Shanghai, China.
Jet Edge’s China office will allow the Minnesota USA-based manufacturer to directly supply and support local customers with service and training facilities, a water jet equipment demonstration showroom, and a water jet parts warehouse.
“We are very excited to begin offering direct sales and support of Jet Edge water jet technology to China’s rapidly modernizing manufacturing companies,” said Jude Lague, Jet Edge president. “We are committed to continually growing our business presence in China, and having a direct presence in Shanghai is an essential first step in demonstrating our commitment to our valued China-based customers. The location of Jet Edge’s Shanghai Office, at GMT +8, will greatly improve our sales and technical service support capabilities to all of our Asia Pacific region distributors and customers. Their ability to receive information and speak with a Jet Edge employee directly during their normal business day has been made much easier.”
For more information about Jet Edge, visit www.jetedge.com, call 1-800-JET-EDGE (538-3343) or +1-763-497-8700.
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.
Water jet technology companies Jet Edge and Chukar Waterjet will showcase the latest innovations in portable and undersea ultra-high pressure water jet cutting and water blasting technology at Underwater Intervention, Feb. 22-24 in New Orleans. Look for Jet Edge and Chukar in Booth 139.
As leaders in the ultra-high pressure waterjet industry, waterjet manufacturer Jet Edge and its applications partner Chukar Waterjet have developed numerous water jetting tools crucial to the underwater operations, workboat and shipyard industries, including undersea waterjetting equipment, portable water jet cutting machines, precision water jet cutting systems, ultra-high pressure water blasting tools, and electric and diesel-powered water jet intensifier pumps. Most recently, in emergency response to the Gulf oil spill, the two companies partnered to develop the first-known waterjet intensifier pump capable of operating at depths below 5,000 feet. BP used the subsea waterjetting system to blast away hydrates that were clogging a containment system.
During Underwater Intervention, Jet Edge and Chukar will display several water jet tools that are ideal for use in environmentally sensitive marine environments or potentially hazardous areas, including the Jet Edge Hydraulic Versacutter portable linear and pipe cutting system; Gyra Jet LP ultra-high pressure lance for surface preparation, coating and corrosion removal; Ultra Deckblaster walk-behind deck blasting system for removing coatings and corrosion; and the 80hp 60,000 psi iP60-80DS diesel-powered portable water jet intensifier pump. Technical experts from Jet Edge and Chukar Waterjet will be available to answer questions about water jet applications.
Commercialization Partner Sought for Subsea Waterjet Equipment
Jet Edge and Chukar Waterjet are seeking an existing underwater operations technology company with which they can partner to bring their undersea waterjetting equipment to the commercial market. For more information, contact Bruce Kivisto at Chukar Waterjet at 763-497-8731 or brucek@chukarwaterjet.com.
Water Jet Equipment on Display at Underwater Intervention:
Jet Edge iP60-80DS Diesel-Powered Waterjet Intensifier Pump
Jet Edge’s iP60-80DS diesel-powered water jet pump is capable of producing up to 1.35 gpm (5.1 L/m) of ultra-high pressure water for mobile water jet cutting applications, and is especially suited for cold cutting in environments where heat and flames are restricted. The iP60-80DS is powered by a reliable four-cylinder Cummins turbocharged diesel engine and is designed for portability and ease of maintenance. A 36,000 psi conversion kit is available.
Hydraulic Versacutter
Jet Edge’s Hydraulic Versacutter is a portable abrasivejet cutting and beveling system. Rigid and flexible tracks allow the Hydraulic Versacutter to operate on flat or curved surfaces. The system is used in a variety of cutting applications including pipelines, steel reinforced concrete, reactor vessels and fabricated metal structures. It is especially suited for cutting in hazardous zones where flames and heat are restricted. It is powered by a Jet Edge water jet intensifier pump.
Gyra Jet LP
Jet Edge’s Gyra Jet LP is a rotating hand-held water blasting tool that directs up to 55,000 psi (3,800 bar) UHP water for water jet surface preparation, industrial cleaning, coating removal, and concrete demolition. Typical applications are removal of damaged surfaces, preparation for recoating or painting, and stripping corrosion and over-spray. The Gyra Jet uses much less water than a typical pressure washer and, unlike sandblasting, it does not create hazardous airborne dust. It is powered by a Jet Edge water jet intensifier pump.
Ultra Deckblaster
Jet Edge’s Ultra Deckblaster is specifically designed for ultra-high pressure (UHP) waterjet surface preparation, water jet coating removal, and light scarification on flat surfaces such as ship decks. The self-propelled Ultra Deckblaster waterjetting machine operates at pressures up to 55,000 psi (3,800 bar). The Ultra Deckblaster also removes accumulated spillage such as grease, oil and overspray. The Ultra Deckblaster can be connected to an industrial vacuum system to contain waste water, an important consideration in sensitive marine environments. It is powered by a Jet Edge water jet intensifier pump.
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 http://www.jetedge.com/, e-mail sales@jetedge.com or call 1-800-JET-EDGE (538-3343).
About Chukar Waterjet
Chukar Waterjet is a leader in application and rental of ultra-high pressure (UHP) waterjet mobile equipment, and provides prompt, high-quality waterjet fabrication services and cleaning applications. Chukar Waterjet also is a supplier of high quality parts for waterjet cutting and cleaning equipment, offering a complete line of waterjet replacement parts. For more information about Chukar Waterjet, visit http://www.chukarwaterjet.com/, or call 1-888-497-8749 or (763) 497-8749
Jet Edge, Inc. is pleased to announce that National Metals is now offering precision water jet cutting services at its metal processing and fabrication plant in DeForest, Wis.
National Metals is capable of processing complex parts from virtually any material with its new 60,000 psi
Jet Edge Mid Rail Gantry water jet cutting system, which features an 5’x13’ work envelope and is capable of maintaining +/- 0.001" linear positional accuracy (over 12") and +/- 0.001" repeatability (bi-directional).
A sister company of Suncor, Inc., a Florida structural steel and miscellaneous metals subcontractor, National Metals specializes in metal sales, metal processing and specialty fabrication. It offers a wide range of services, from concept to final assembly.
The Wisconsin metal fabricator uses its Jet Edge waterjet to cut a variety of materials, including aluminum, carbon steel and stainless steel. The company offers water jet job shop services, and also cuts parts for its own specialty aluminum and stainless steel products, which include stainless steel tabletops and sinks, as well as custom brackets.
National Metals added its water jet to custom cut stainless steel sheets for its own products and to expand its business by offering water jet cutting services to other firms, explained Douglas Kuiper, National Metals senior partner.
“We have already been able to take in new types work thanks to our water jet,” Kuiper said. “As an example, we were able to fabricate specialty egg-crate grating products that are impossible to make without equipment similar to a water jet. We hope to expand into other markets, such as glasswork, stonework, woodwork, and more.”
More Information
For more information about National Metals, visit http://www.nationalmetals.com/ or call 1-866-518-9548. For more information about
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.
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