Apr 16 2013
Global testing group Exova has invested a six figure sum to provide customers with the latest abrasive water jet cutting technology.
Exova has installed and commissioned a Maxiem 1515/40Hp jet cutting centre, which will give its Salford lab a significant increase in capacity, at a cost of £100,000.
The water jet cutting process is a cold cutting / erosion process which emits no hazardous materials, using water projected through a precision nozzle at very high pressures of 40,000 to 60,000 pounds per square inch.
The technology gives the ability to cut virtually any two dimensional shape in most materials including titanium, carbon fibre, marble, glass and composites. Due to the precision of the technique, little or no finishing is required.
Tim Cornes, sector director for Exova’s Industrials division, said the investment would reduce cutting time and allow the laboratory – which supports Exova’s materials testing and coatings business – to plan for future growth.
He added: “The Salford lab previously utilised six horizontal power saws which, in 2012, equated to 9,000 hours’ cutting time.
“Water jet technology has the potential to reduce this by up to 80 per cent in some cases, revolutionising the service we can provide to customers and in many cases eliminating or reducing the follow-on work required.
“This investment will add real value to our customers and ensure our Salford facility provides industry leading turn round times for our clients testing, keeping us at the forefront of the testing sector.”