WARDJet Uses Laser Tracker to Ensure Accuracy

"If you can measure it, you can improve it" is a philosophy WARDJet  turned to in its decision to invest in a Laser Tracker. This precision measuring and calibration tool which is about the size of a football costing $143,000, (now that is something you do not want to throw around) is opening doors that are simply not there without this tool. Yes we can measure and quantify with the several laser inferometers and ball bar units we own now, but the Laser Tracker gives WARDJet  unlimited data and measuring capacity, catapulting the families of waterjet machines that WARDJet  offers beyond what most manufacturers can offer. (A good way to qualify your future supplier of waterjets is to ask for a 3 dimensional calibration of the tolerances, placement and repeatability of the machine, or at least the laser inferometer and ball bar results. No purchase should ever be made without this data!)

WARDJet  has always ensured linear accuracy of its machines with laser inferometer readings and circularity with ball bar reports. However, it was ultimately realized that the ability to innovate, measure, quantify and advance had reached a ceiling with the existing tools. With our desire for constant improvement, we searched for alternatives. The Laser Tracker takes verification and quantification of all the static and dynamic variables of building a waterjet to the next level - volumetric mapping. Volumetric mapping measures the location of the cutting head in three dimensional space which is different to actual mapping of the X, XX and Y axis, then requiring interpolation to determine the position of the cutting head which is done in only two dimensions. Volumetric mapping is especially important when it comes to the 5-axis cutting head. We are able to quantify accuracy in all five axis (X, Y, Z, A, and B) while the system is in motion and actually cutting.

 

Because it is now possible to better quantify the accuracy of the machinery we build, continual improvements in every aspect of how we build and design WARDJet  waterjets has become a quantifiable fact in our Research and Development department, helping WARDJet  grow, improve and produce even more superior equipment. The development and design of the X-Series controller was instrumental in being able to integrate the data provided by the Laser Tracker into three dimensional space.

What does this all mean to you, the customer? This gives you the reassurance that you are working with a company that is moving forward in this age of technology. The investment in tools like the Laser Tracker makes us more efficient in production by being able to gather infinitely more data in a shorter period of time. The ultimate result is a higher accuracy machine with improved reliability.

With access to multiple laser inferometers, ball bar systems and now the Laser Tracker, the service of measuring, verifying and quantifying virtually anything with motion is available through the company WARD LASER. This service is available to anyone who not only owns a waterjet, but to anyone looking to verify accuracy or repeatability of any motion system – be it a mill to a plasma machine. Do you have a machine that needs verified? Call us today! (330) 677-9100