 |
|
  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Do I need a WARD 1 or a WARD 2?
The fact that the abrasive sitting in the bottom of your tank can be used again was not invented by WARDJet. All WARDJet did was design, pioneer and patent a method of removing and recycling this abrasive so you can reduce your operating costs.
Abrasive typically amounts to roughly 50% of the total cost of operating a waterjet system. If using multiple cutting heads, abrasive could easily be more than 50% of the total operating cost. Hence it stands to reason that if the abrasive could be used up to 9 times, recycling abrasive could be by far the most important decision when looking to purchase a waterjet system to reduce costs and increase profits. The fact that a large percentage of abrasive never even changes its size on the first cut is indisputable and has been backed with many papers presented at the WaterJet Technology Association by various scholars and researchers.
At WARDJet we believe our duty is to demonstrate that our machines work and to help you evaluate if operating a WARD is financially viable. We have nothing to do with the fact the abrasive in your tank is reusable and has value. We just want to make sure you are aware of the opportunity facing you as long as you own a waterjet.
Who should buy a WARD?
In general, all materials excluding anything that melts or has fibers that pull free and float will recycle well. Companies who cut alloys, phoenalics, steels and harder materials find the recycling process extremely valuable in reducing operating costs. Stone cutting is another application that many of our customers have had great success with. Smaller amounts of plastic, acrylics and rubber can also be handled, as may be found in any typical job shop scenario, more so however by the WARD 1 than the WARD 2.
Who should NOT buy a WARD?
We do not suggest a recycling machine for customers who cut large amounts of rubber or plastics or over plastic brick grates on their waterjet machine. This tends to melt during the drying process, with a smell of burnt rubber and plastic. Recycling may not be a financially viable options for customers using very small amounts of abrasive.
Where are people using a WARD?
Abrasive recycling is being done across the USA helping to reduce costs and increase competitiveness!
Are you recycling your abrasive?
How much abrasive can I expect to recover?
The amount of abrasive recovered will depend on:
1. The material being cut by the waterjet
2. The speed and quality of cut specified - which in turn will determine how much of the abrasive actually comes into contact with the cutting face of the abrasive stream during the cut
3. The original type and mesh size of abrasive used
How much money will I save?
The amount you will save per month is dependent upon several factors:
1. The amount you pay per pound of abrasive
2. The amount you pay to dig your tank out (the cost of labor and downtime)
3. The amount you pay for abrasive disposal
4. The percentage of abrasive you’re able to recover
In the charts below first select the percentage of abrasive recovery you believe is most realistic for the material you cut. In general we recommend that if you are cutting stone or softer materials you estimate your savings based on a 60% to 70% recovery rate. If you’re cutting steel or harder materials you should estimate your savings based on a 50% to 60% recovery rate. Use the percentage you’ve selected to determine which chart you should be looking at for your savings.
The next step is to select the color that most closely represents the amount you pay per pound for your abrasive. So, if you pay $0.22 per pound for your abrasive then you would want to use the pink line.
Finally by using the number of hours per day that you cut with your waterjet you should be able to get an idea of the savings on the left hand side of the chart that you could expect based on the information you provided. This information is only an estimate, as we have no way of indicating on these charts what you spend for removal and disposal of your abrasive.
For a more exact figure we encourage you to contact us and provide us with that additional information. We would then be able to create a financial viability report for you based on your company’s exact numbers. We would also suggest that you send us a sample of your used abrasive for us to test. After testing we could better determine a more exact figure for the percentage of abrasive you can expect to recover.
Will there be a difference in cut speed using the recycled abrasive?
Of all the companies who are operating a WARD system, and have tested their recycled abrasive, we have heard nothing but positive comments about the ability of the reused abrasive to cut through their material. In several cases our customers have said that their cutting speed actually increased! Certainly there appears to be minimal to no change in cutting speed when using recycled abrasive.
How do you test my abrasive?
When you send us a sample of your used abrasive we are able to get a much better idea of the percentage of recovery you can expect. We invite you to personally witness the testing of your abrasive while it is being recycled with the WARD. WARDJet, Inc. has a fully operational system in Ohio for this purpose. The advantage of being present during the testing of your abrasive is that you are able to see the entire process from start to finish. This will be very informative and can help you decide if abrasive recycling is right for your company. We can conduct two tests per day, ensuring you will get quick results. It is also possible to have your abrasive tested without being present. We will process the abrasive and ship the dry, ready to use, recycled product back to your facility for your evaluation.
What to do when collecting and sending a sample?
1. Collect five, 5 gallon (19L) buckets of a REPRESENTATIVE sample of your sludge (about 60 lbs. (27kg) each). If it is not representative (e.g. all the abrasive is from the top of the tank) the results will be inaccurate. The waterjet continually agitates the abrasive in the tank as it cuts. When this happens, the heavier abrasive settles to the middle and base of the tank while the lighter, smaller particles move to the top and outsides of the tank. If the sludge sent to us is from the top only, the result will be poor. If the results are from the bottom only, they will be optimistic. We really need a true representative sample of the material to simulate full operation in your facility. You should try to be sure that the sample is not all from the side of the tank or the center of the tank.
2. Clearly mark each 5 gallon (19L) bucket as 1 of 5, 2 of 5 etc. to ensure we receive the full sample.
3. Send your abrasive to the following address:
WARDJet Inc.
Abrasive Recycling Evaluation Department
180 South Ave.
Tallmadge, OH 44278
330-677-9100
We KNOW recycling works and works well. We look forward to proving it to you!
What are others saying about abrasive recycling?
There have been many articles printed all over the world about the use of abrasive recycling in the waterjet industry, and we’re proud of what they’ve had to say. WARDJet received formal recognition when Richard Ward, the main person responsible for designing and engineering the WARD, received the Manny Award for development of the abrasive recycling machine in 2000. The granting of the prestigious Technology Award from the WJTA in 2001 followed this. Feel free to read through the articles below to hear what others are saying in regards to abrasive recycling. Please note when reading these articles that WARDJet, Inc. was formerly known as EasiJet, Inc. The name EasiJet, Inc. was officially changed to WARDJet, Inc. in May 2001.
|