EDGE HIGH RAIL
WATERJET CUTTERS
Custom Configure the Most Accurate, Flexible and Productive Waterjet and
AbrasiveJet Cutting System on the Market with no Exception!
EDGE HIGH RAIL
The Edge High Rail Systems are not dimensionally challenged like mid-rail water jet cutters are. By moving the gantry to the top of the mounting legs, the work envelope is unconstrained! Starting with a clean sheet of paper, you define the cutting envelope, the load/unload system, cutting head types, cutting head count with many more optimization options.
The raised gantry on the high rail design provides easier access to the cutting area, a broader range of material handling options and raises critical system components out of the processing environment for protection. The rigid steel beams, isolated catcher tank and absolute encoder motors combine for ultimate precision. When accuracy, flexibility and productivity are priorities, look no further!
The Edge X3-HR, 3-axis motion system is customizable for high speed processing. By attaching a precision machined Spreader Bar to the Z Carriage, up to ten sub-Z cutting heads can be mounted allowing you to cut ten identical parts in one cycle. The independently controlled Sub Z’s can be mounted with water only cutting heads, abrasive cutting heads, or mixed in order to eliminate setup between materials cut with water only or abrasive. The cutting heads can be positioned manually along the spreader bar or upgraded to a positioning system controlled via your program. Incorporate load/unload systems for the highest efficiency levels achievable with water jet cutting.
The Edge X5-HR, 5-axis motion system specialty is ultra-high precision abrasive cutting of complex parts in tough specialty alloys. The single Z Carriage holds one 5-axis cutting head with 12 inches of travel via a servo controlled drive. Custom configuration includes incorporating fixtures into the catcher tank for quick change over and repeatable production, bladder tanks for underwater cutting, and lights out cutting that increases machine utilization. If you are in the aerospace industry and demand accuracy and repeatability, the metals distribution industry requiring near-net shape cutting with no heat affected zone, or the contract manufacturing space service a host of different customer specifications, this system delivers.
EDGE X3-HR – 3-AXIS high RAIL WATERJET
with Aquavision DI Controller
The Edge X3-HR, 3-axis High Rail Motion System is designed for high speed processing. By attaching a precision machined Spreader Bar to the Z Carriage, up to ten sub-Z cutting heads can be mounted allowing you to cut ten identical parts in one cycle. The independently controlled Sub Z’s can handle water only cutting, abrasive cutting or both.
EDGE X5-HR – 5 AXIS HIGH RAIL WATERJET
with Aquavision DI Controller
The Edge X5-HR, 5-axis motion system specialty is ultra-high precision abrasive cutting of complex parts in tough specialty alloys. The single Z Carriage holds one 5-axis cutting head with 12 inches of travel via a servo controlled drive. Custom configuration includes incorporating fixtures into the catcher tank for quick change over and repeatable production, bladder tanks for underwater cutting and lights out operation increasing machine utilization. If you are in the aerospace industry and demand accuracy and repeatability, the metals distribution industry requiring near-net shape cutting with no heat affected zone, or the contract manufacturing space this system delivers.
WHAT ARE HIGH RAIL MOTION SYSTEMS?
CNC Water Jet Cutting Machines utilize a Cross Beam Gantry with a Z Carriage mounted to it. The Z Carriage travel height establishes the Z plane of the cutting envelope and has a water only or abrasive cutting head mounted to it. The cross beam travels along two side rails to define the X and Y planes of the cutting envelope. The height of the cross beam the cutting head is mounted to classifies them as Mid Rail or High Rail Waterjet Systems. While Mid Rail Motion Systems have evolved into the industry standard and are now more common in facilities where water jet cutting is done, high rail cutting technology led the way into industrial production.
High Rail Motion Systems utilize taller legs to suspend the side rails, raising the Cross Beam Gantry up out of the cutting zone. This provides better protection for the drive systems and increases the size of the work envelope available for production material. Additional productivity advantages are inherent with this layout including increasing the Z Carriage Travel, utilizing a spreader bar to mount multiple cutting heads, cutting materials that are larger than the tables work surface, the ease of incorporating different types of material handling systems like conveyors, shuttle tables, pick and place robotics, overhead cranes, etc. for loading and unloading.
I NEED ULTRA HIGH-PRECISION
I’m in aerospace and I need ultra-high precision and reliability. I would like to integrate holding fixtures for quick setup and repeatable production. Additionally, I would like assistance in programing these complex parts with tough geometry and tight tolerances.
Solution: Edge X5-HR, single abrasive 5-axis cutting head, 6’ x 6’ table, custom catcher tank for specialty fixtures and water level adjustment of 6”, cutting at an accuracy of .003” and assistance with programing for Inconel parts.
I NEED SPEED AND PRODUCTIVITY
I need speed and productivity! I am cutting thousands of parts, at low margin. Give me 8 cutting heads and I can’t waste time manually positioning them. The parts are small and I can’t have an operator picking them on the machine table while it’s not running, so load/unload needs to be a feature.
Solution: Edge X3-HR, 8 waterjet cutting heads with automated docking for head spacing from the program, 6’ x 10’ table and a dual cart system for loading/unloading offline.
I NEED FLEXIBILITY
I need to be flexible on what I am going to cut tomorrow! I need a large cutting envelope as we load via our jib crane and vacuum lifters, lots of size flexibility for nesting parts, and multiple high precision abrasivejet cutting heads to cut a range of materials including composites, rubbers, forgings, and stainless steel.
Solution: Edge X3-HR, with three motorized 3-axis abrasive cutting heads, a 12’ x 12’ table and IGEM’s nesting software.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT I NEED
I don’t know what I need, that’s why I called! We are in the Semiconductor industry and produce highly engineered Pad Conditioners that are relatively small. After a sintering process, the parts need to be cleaned with high pressure water, SAFELY!
Solution: Edge X3-HR Waterjet Cleaning System, with 2 cleaning swivels mounted on a motorized Z carriage, a 4’ x 4’ table with a stainless steel tank, slats and cross supports to avoid any contamination, with light curtains and safety shields.
The Advantages of a Jet Edge High Rail Motion System
High rail systems introduce a host of unique advantages for your waterjet cutting needs. Individually, these benefits can have a significant impact on your service levels and bottom line.
Outstanding Accuracy
Jet Edge cutting systems first and foremost deliver outstanding accuracy with +/- 0.001″ Linear positional accuracy over 12′ (304 mm) per axis, a +/- 0.001″ Repeatability (Bi-directional) and a 0.0004″ Backlash – maximum. Factory settings of 1000 IPM Contouring and Rapid Positioning (460 volt) is achieved due to the larger servo motors and drives. Operations requiring a high tolerance combined with high efficiency will achieve the greatest results with a Jet Edge High Rail System.
Streamlined Maintenance
By moving the cross beam gantry and drives up and away from the work surface, high rail motion systems limit their exposure to debris. Jet Edge high rail motion systems utilize rigid covers with seals and positive pressure blowers to keep contamination away from ball screws and linear ways. The generous openings on all four sides of the motion system also make it easier to perform maintenance when necessary.
Improved Access to Work Area
Our High Rail gantry design is open on all four sides, allowing users to expand the shape and size of materials being cut. The additional access also makes it easier to load and unload materials with a fork truck, overhead crane, or to add material handling solutions like conveyors or shuttle tables to reduce the operator’s manual effort and improve machine utilization.
Custom Configurations
The added height allows users to incorporate longer travel from the Z Carriage, multiple cutting heads with a spreader bar, shuttles and conveyors for material handling and robotic swivels for cleaning applications that simply wouldn’t fit within the physical confines of a standard mid rail system. The open frame also makes it possible to build customized catch tanks to accommodate integrated fixturing for accuracy and quick parts changeover.
The Edge Mid Rail Series
WATERJET AND ABRASIVE CUTTING
If you demand precision, durability and productivity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you have found the right mid-rail!
IS A HIGH RAIL RIGHT FOR ME? WE GET THAT QUESTION A LOT.
Your cutting needs are unique and Jet Edge is committed to working with you to configure the optimum waterjet cutting solution for your operation. If you are ready to talk, let’s get in touch. Or click on Custom Configure to see how others took advantage of our experience to optimize their systems.