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The Evolution of Precision Waterjet Cutting Technology
For many years, the WARDJET APEX-60 has been known as an industry-leading waterjet cutting head, providing superior taper compensation, precise bevel cutting and stable multi-head functionality in any manufacturing environment. It became a backbone of productivity for the manufacturers using WARDJET X-Series, J-Series and M-Series waterjet machines.
But manufacturing technology is constantly evolving.
Nowadays, fabricators, aerospace suppliers, automotive manufacturers, energy producers and other manufacturing companies are looking not only for flat-sheet cutting systems but also for the solutions for the cutting of complex geometries, oversized parts, molded parts, pipe cutting and various 3D cutting applications.
To address this trend, WARDJET presents the APEX-90 Waterjet Cutting Head, a revolutionary solution in 5-axis waterjet cutting technology, aimed to tackle the applications which were previously impossible to cut.
What Is Needed from 5-Axis Waterjet Cutting Systems?
Any manufacturer, who works in the field of engineering and production is searching for a system, which will provide him with a cutting of different complex geometries and parts, which will not have the access constraints, which were typical for previous cutting systems, especially such parts as:
- Vertical pipes
- Deep cavities
- Complex undercuts
- Molded composite components
- Flash trimming
- Large industrial structures
- Aerospace assemblies
- Custom fabrication
And now with the new design of products, there is an obvious need in the system, which will allow reaching those areas, which were unreachable for conventional systems.
What’s So Special About the APEX-90?
The APEX-90 doesn’t just represent an upgrade of previous generation – it’s an entirely new step in the history of waterjet cutting technology.
Having the same benefits, as the previous generations of waterjet heads have, the APEX-90 offers additional features in the form of full five axis motion system with 90 degrees range of movement.
Features of the APEX-90
Full 5-Axis Waterjet Cutting System
The APEX-90 opens the door to full 5-axis cutting, which will allow cutting complex parts with the maximum accuracy.
The benefits of this system are:
- Advanced bevel cutting
- Multi-angle part processing
- Creation of complex geometry
- High quality edge finish
- Minimizing of the number of secondary operations
- Increased design freedom
Taper Compensation System
Just like the previous generation of waterjet heads, the APEX-90 uses WARDJET‘s unique taper compensation system.
This system guarantees:
- Improved dimensional accuracy
- High edge quality
- Increased repeatability of parts
- Decreased scrap rate
- Better fit-up of assemblies
This is important for the manufacturers, who produce precision components.
Abrasive and Pure Water Cutting
APEX-90 has two kinds of cutting modes, which are:
- Abrasive waterjet cutting
- Pure waterjet cutting
It allows cutting different types of materials, such as:
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Titanium
- Stainless steel
- Stone
- Glass
- Rubber
- Foam
- Composites
- Plastics
The Most Important Feature of the APEX-90: WARDJET‘s Unique Wrist Pivot System
One of the most interesting innovations of the APEX-90 is the unique wrist pivot system, which is used in it.
Contrary to conventional systems, which are limited in their movements by the mechanical structure of the z-carriage, the APEX-90 has a system of pivot point, which allows the head to work outside of the z-carriage. And it gives an opportunity to use new methods of cutting. Reaching Unreachable Areas.
Using APEX-90, it’s possible to reach vertical pipe segments, which were not possible to cut using conventional waterjet machines.
Some applications of this technology are:
- Oil and gas fabrication
- Process piping
- Structural steel fabrication
- Industrial manufacturing
Complex Undercut Cutting
It allows creating complex geometry parts, which are reachable through the unconventional angles.
Some applications of this technology are:
- Aerospace components
- Defense components
- Advanced industrial equipment
- Custom manufacturing project
Flash Trimming of Molded Components
It allows removing flash from injection molded and composite components with precision, while decreasing the amount of secondary operations, which are required.
APEX-90: Designed for the WARDJET M-Series
The APEX-90 becomes especially useful when used together with WARDJET’s M-Series waterjet machines.
The M-Series waterjet machine is famous for its ability to handle the large format and special applications, which makes it the best machine for 5-axis cutting.
M-Series waterjet machines can have the following configurations:
- Multiple Z-travel options
- Large format cutting environment
- Special configurations
- Floor-mounted machines
- Over-sized part processing
Together, M-Series and APEX-90 become the perfect combination for tackling some of the most demanding cutting applications in the market.
Industries Which Can Benefit from APEX-90 Technology
Aerospace Manufacturing
With APEX-90, manufacturers in aerospace industry can benefit from its full 5-axis motion system, which is necessary for the processing of complex contours, lightweight materials and high precision of tolerances.
Automotive Production
This system will help to increase the efficiency of molding of parts, prototypes, tooling and other special components.
Energy Sector
Pipe processing, structural fabrication and heavy industrial components are the main areas of applications of APEX-90 in the energy sector.
Industrial Fabrication
The custom fabricators will benefit from APEX-90 because it will give new possibilities of creating complex geometries and decrease the time, which is required for the setups.
Composite Manufacturing
Because of the ability to trim complex and difficult components, APEX-90 will become very useful for composite and molded component production.
Design Freedom for Engineers
One of the most interesting features of the APEX-90 is the effect it can have on the design process of the product.
In the past, engineers had to limit themselves in some cases because of the manufacturing limitations.
But having APEX-90, engineers can use more complicated design and geometries, knowing that it will be possible to manufacture them.
And this means the following for the designers:
- More innovative products
- Improving performance characteristics
- Reduced assembly requirement
- Increased manufacturability
- Shorter product development cycle
The Future of Waterjet Cutting
As the technology of manufacturing is constantly developing and moving forward, the cutting technologies are also developing and evolving.
The APEX-90 proves the WARDJET commitment to solving the future manufacturing problems now.
By using:
- Full five-axis motion
- Advanced taper compensation
- Unique wrist pivot system
- Industry-leading precision
- Unprecedented reach capability
the APEX-90 becomes a new standard for the waterjet cutting systems.
Ready to Cut the Impossible?
If you’re looking for expanding your capabilities and increasing efficiency of your production, the APEX-90 is the perfect choice for you.
You can use it for the processing of pipe, composites, aerospace components, molded parts and large scale industrial structures.
Contact us today to learn more about the APEX-90 and discover how next-generation 5-axis waterjet technology can revolutionize your production capabilities.