Better known as a manufacturer of plasma cutting machines, Dewsbury-based Techserv Engineering Services will launch a new, competitively priced, waterjet cutting machine powered by KMT's latest 40HP/3,800 bar intensifier pump system, NEOLINE.
Techserv's owner Mike Cowley, who designed the machine, points out that there are three main elements to a water jet profiling system – the tank and other fabrications, the control and the pump. "We are able to control the cost of construction in-house and avoid expensive controls, as we have written our own software for Windows 7 with extensive use of touchscreen icons to simplify programming,” he explains.
“So until now, it was the cost of the pump that tended to push up the purchase price of a waterjet cutter. However, with the recent introduction of the US-manufactured NEOLINE, which costs just two thirds of a 50HP unit, our new machine will be one of the most competitively priced on the market."
It is Mr Cowley's aim to build in the UK a waterjet cutting machine that is more reliable, has better accuracy and is less expensive than imported machines. Notably, the Techserv product with intensifier pump will sell for significantly less than a machine built in the Far East that incorporates a cheaper electrical direct drive pump.
The new Techserv machine on the stand at MACH will have a 3m by 2m tank and axis movements actuated via ballscrews by AC brushless servo motors fitted with precision planetary gearboxes and encoders. The cutting head is mounted on a cantilever arm rather than a bridge to facilitate the loading of material. The control always knows the absolute location of the head, even after the machine has been switched off and on again, ensuring high positional and machining accuracies.
Either a single nozzle of up to 0.3mm diameter or two 0.23mm nozzles can be powered by the NEOLINE pump, allowing single and twin head waterjet cutters to be supplied by Techserv, according to customer preference. The machine can be supplied in pure water or abrasive configurations.
Mr Cowley continues: “We have been building bespoke waterjet cutters for a decade, but it was the introduction of the NEOLINE pump that prompted us to launch our first standard model. Our experience is that firms would like to install their own waterjet facility for the convenience of having it onsite and to reduce subcontracting costs, but widespread uptake has always been inhibited by machine price.
"With our cost-effective build and menu-driven, web-updatable control software in combination with KMT's NEOLINE pump, we believe we have a product that could really take the market forward."
The stainless steel topworks of NEOLINE is of the same quality as that on higher specification KMT pumps. A one litre accumulator maintains output pressure from the intensifier to ensure smooth flow of water to the nozzle(s), leading to a high quality of cut and promoting longevity of machine parts.
Included in the KMT package are a heat exchanger to cool the hydraulic oil and water and a safety dump valve on the pump to relieve system pressure in the case of shutdown. A modular design allows quick and easy maintenance as well as rapid replacement of individual wear parts when the need arises.
A leading manufacturer of intensifier waterjet pump systems – KMT provides service and support from centres in 30 countries. It means that regardless of where in the world the new Techserv waterjet profiling machine is in use, the customer will receive a high level of service back-up.
Techserv
www.techserv.co.uk
Hall 4 Stand 4617
