Waterjet manufacturer Jet Edge, Inc. and its
Africa representative Jetstream Cutting Solutions CC announced today that operators
of a remote copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are planning
to double the mine’s productivity with the help of a new Jet Edge Edge X-5® 5-axis waterjet.
The DRC mine operation,
which is at least a three week’s drive from Johannesburg, South Africa, plans
to use the Jet Edge waterjet system to speed up the completion of a copper processing plant. The Jet Edge machine is the mine’s second
waterjet system. In 2012, they installed
a new Jetstream 3-axis waterjet, powered by a 90,000 psi (6200 bar) 50hp Jet
Edge X-stream xP90-50 hydraulic intensifier pump.
“They run their first machine 24/7,” said Jetstream
Cutting Solutions Director Malcolm Cruickshank. “The Jet Edge X-Stream pump was
key to the success of the first machine because they could utilize the higher
pressure to increase productivity.”
For
their second waterjet system, the mine operators selected Jet Edge’s premiere 90,000 psi (6200 bar) EDGE X-5 system with
dual independently programmable 5-axis cutting heads and laser plate mapping
system, Aquavision Di industrial PC controller, and 5-axis
waterjet cutting software.
Cruickshank
noted that the mine officials chose a Jet Edge system for their second machine
based on the reliability of their first Jet Edge pump, and Jet Edge’s ability
to quickly supply spare parts when needed.
“Reliability
is very important to them due to the remoteness of the mine,” he said. “
They appreciate the speed with which Jet Edge can
supply spares.”
Jake
Hall, a Jetstream subcontractor and director of Mobile Digital Solutions of
Sylvania, Australia, oversaw the installation of the Jet Edge system and trained
the mine’s waterjet operators how to use the new 5-axis machine.
“The
EDGE X-5 is a good system,” Hall noted.
“It’s intuitive and easy to operate.
I’ve seen lots of systems in my 11 years working with waterjets and it
seems to do the job very well and is easy to teach. The Aquavision Di controller is extremely
reliable. The software is great. It solves a lot of the problems of other CAD/CAM
software. It’s been specifically
designed with waterjetting in mind. Lead ins and outs are easy and it’s easy to
nest multiple parts. Most importantly, you’re
not stuck to a certain order. With some software, if you miss one step, you
have to start all over again. Jet Edge’s
software is flexible and it’s not labor intensive. The library of materials is good and the
speed control is good.”
Hall
added that he has been very impressed with Jet Edge’s X-Stream intensifier
pumps, service and training.
“The
X-Stream pump is bullet-proof,” he said. “We feel comfortable that we have a
good support network and that we can call Jet Edge any time, day or night.”
Find Out More
For information about Jet Edge, visit www.jetedge.com or call +1 763-497-8726.
About Jetstream Cutting Solutions CC
Based in Johannesburg,
South Africa, Jetstream Cutting Solutions represents Jet Edge waterjets in
several Southern African nations. Jetstream carries Jet Edge’s full line of
waterjet cutting and surface preparation equipment, including waterjet cutting machines, waterjet intensifier pumps and portable waterjetting systems. The company also supplies Jet Edge waterjet parts and is
authorized to service Jet Edge waterjet equipment. In addition to Jet Edge waterjets, Jetstream sells,
installs and services other 3-axis waterjet systems and UHP pumps.
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 waterjets
are proudly made in U.S.A.
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