Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Bowling Systems Manufacturer Scores Big with Jet Edge Water Jet

When Twelve Strike Bowling Services Owner Ron Richmond decided to add the waterjet process to his manufacturing facility in Long Beach, Calif., he insisted on two things: his waterjet system would be made in America and it would include a closed-loop water recycling system. No exceptions.


After researching several waterjet systems, Richmond chose an American-made 6'X12' High Rail Gantry Waterjet System manufactured by Jet Edge, Inc., of St. Michael, Minn. He equipped his waterjet with Jet Edge's Closed-Loop Filtration System, which recycles water and eliminates the need to dump it down the drain. This reduces water consumption and sewage costs and eliminates the risk of dumping hazardous materials down the drain, all which are important considerations everywhere, but are especially critical in Southern California.

"I do my damndest to buy American when I can," Richmond said. "I have yet to break an American tool unless I have been misusing it. I wanted an American-made waterjet with a closed-loop system because we are in the desert here and water is a huge issue. I also did not want to be dumping water down the drain. I do not have an environmental issue here and I do not want one. Logically in my head, I knew that an overhead gantry waterjet machine was the way to go versus a cantilevered arm system. You can't take something and have it hang out there and have precise performance."

Established in 1989, Twelve Strike is a leading manufacturer of automated scoring products for bowling centers around the world. Twelve Strike offers a full range of bowling scoring products, including scoring pedestals and overhead display monitors, as well as scoring computers, and point-of-sale, back-office and central control systems. To date, Twelve Strike has installed 224 systems worldwide. In a good year, the company installs 800-900 lane beds.

The family owned business was started by Ron's father Rex Richmond, who opened a bowling center in his retirement and quickly determined that he could build a better scoring system. Twelve Strike is now run by Ron Richmond and his wife Susiy Richmond, who continue to set themselves apart from competitors by sticking to Rex's unwavering commitment to his customers. Twelve Strike is the only bowling scoring systems manufacturer with a 24-7 support line that is answered by real people.

"We care about our customers," Ron said. "We aren't like a large corporation. If a customer wants to talk to me, he can talk to me."

Before installing their waterjet machine, Twelve Strike cut many of their parts on a 4'X4' plasma machine or outsourced them to waterjet shops.

"I needed to replace the plasma because I couldn't breathe," Ron said. "It put out so much soot and nasty crap and everything else. I looked at lasers and I looked at waterjets. I decided to go with waterjet because it will cut just about anything. The nice thing about the waterjet is there is no heat injected into the part. I'm also able to nest, which I wasn't able to do before. This saves me materials and time. My scrap is far less. I'd say 30-40%. Plasma cuts faster, but you have to grind the part afterwards. With the waterjet, there is no secondary finishing. This is a huge time saver."

Susiy pointed out that owning their own waterjet has relieved Twelve Strike of the hassle of waiting on outside companies for waterjet services.

"We were tired of waiting on other companies to get us our brackets and computer cases," Susiy noted. "Now we are able to cut our own brackets and cases and have them available at the moment we need them. And we are able to do special projects for our customers at the bowling centers. Since we have been able to bring the cutting in house, we are able to produce products quickly and accurately. Minus the cost of the waterjet, the parts are cheaper for us because we are not paying the added up charge for having the products made by someone else."

The waterjet system also has helped the Richmonds develop a side fabricating business, Fab Metal Shop, a full-service job shop that they started to help them survive the tough economy and the feast-or-famine business cycles of the bowling industry.

"I wanted to diversify for a long time because the bowling recreation industry is killer," Ron explained. "It comes in a tidal wave in the summer, and in the winter, you starve. The Fab Metal Shop is definitely a part of my business that I want to grow. Fab Metal Shop was born to help Twelve Strike."

Ron said he has no regrets about choosing a Jet Edge as his waterjet manufacturer.

"Jet Edge has surpassed all my expectations," he said. "I am very pleased with the system and with the service. Jet Edge stands behind its product. When I have called with a problem, they have gotten back to me in a reasonable time. It hasn't been days or weeks. I like the overall performance of the machine. The pump is fairly easy to maintain. You really only have a couple of seals to replace and the seal life is fine."

More Information

For more information about Twelve Strike Bowling Services, visit http://www.twelvestrike.com/, call 562-984-6240 or e-mail Sales@twelvestrike.com.

For more information about Fab Metal Shop, visit http://fabmetalshop.com/, call 562-423-1836 or e-mail orders@fabmetalshop.com.

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

About Jet Edge's High Rail Gantry

Jet Edge's High Rail Gantry System produces complex parts out of virtually any material. Its overhead design allows full access to the work envelope and raises the critical components out of the process environment. The High Rail Gantry is available in 2' increments, from 4'X4' to 24'X14'. Multiple cutting heads can be added to increase productivity, and the system can be expanded in place.

About Jet Edge's Closed Loop Filtration System

Jet Edge's Closed Loop Filtration System eliminates the need for a drain by filtering and reusing water. A closed-loop filtration system prevents the introduction of hazardous materials into drainage systems, protects the waterjet pump, maximizes orifice life and reduces water/sewage costs.

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).

INFORMATION REQUEST FORM

Friday, March 19, 2010

See Water Jet Cutting Demo at 2010 WJTA-IMCA Expo Aug. 17-19 in Houston

Mark your calendars! Water jet cutting machine manufacturer Jet Edge will showcase its Mid Rail Gantry waterjet cutting system at the 2010 WJTA-IMCA Expo, Aug. 17-19 in Houston, Texas. Visit Jet Edge in Booth 829.

During the WJTA-IMCA Expo, Jet Edge will demonstrate precision waterjet cutting on its 5'x5' Mid Rail Gantry waterjet system, powered by a Jet Edge iP60-50 water jet intensifier pump. The Mid Rail Gantry is available in multiple sizes and is capable of cutting virtually any material.

For more information about Jet Edge water jets, visit http://www.jetedge.com/.

For more information about the WJTA-IMCA Expo, visit http://www.wjta.org/.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

5’X5’ Water Jet Machine Ideal for Shops Requiring Smaller Waterjet Cutting System

Jet Edge’s 5’X5’ Mid Rail Gantry Waterjet System is an ideal water jet cutting solution for shops that cut smaller material or have limited floor space available for machine tools.

Powered by a 60,000 psi or 90,000 psi Jet Edge waterjet intensifier pump (available in 30-200hp models), the 5’X5’ water jet cutting machine features an exposed 72”X72” tank that easily accommodates overhead loading. It is designed to cut virtually any material up to 60”X60”. If equipped with an optional second cutting head, it can cut two parts up to 30”X60”. Optional mirroring cuts part cycle time in half.

The Jet Edge Mid Rail Gantry water jet system utilizes an industrial PC controller and can be configured so that all three axes are fully programmable (Z optional). It also features direct-couple AC brushless digital servo motors and single or double carriages. Critical bearing components are protected with heavy metal covers with brush seals. The Mid Rail Gantry waterjet system also is available in 8’x5’, and 21’x5’, 8’X13’ and 21’X13’ and 5’x13’ work envelopes.

Jet Edge’s Mid Rail Gantry Waterjet System is proudly made in the U.S.A. For more information, visit http://www.jetedge.com/, e-mail sales@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 water jets 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).