HIGH RAIL CUTTING TECHNOLOGY WAS INTRODUCED INTO INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION PRIOR TO MID RAIL CUTTING SYSTEMS.
However, mid rail motion systems have evolved into the industry standard and are now more common in facilities where water jet cutting is done. They are capable of cutting complex parts from virtually any material, can be sized to the cutting area you need and can be customized with additional heads and other features. However, there are some applications where a standard mid rail configuration’s efficiency and capabilities may be limited by its physical layout. Jet Edge has a vast history of innovative High Rail Motion Systems that might be used to overcome some of the limitations of a mid rail system.
WHAT ARE HIGH RAIL WATERJET CUTTER MOTION SYSTEMS?
Waterjet cutting systems utilize a cutting head mounted to a Cross Beam Gantry and are classified into categories based on the physical size of the table and the height of the cross beam the cutting head is mounted to. High Rail motion systems utilize taller legs and raise the Cross Beam Gantry up higher than a Mid Rail system and out of the cutting zone. This increases the size of the work envelop available for your production material and allows easier access to the cutting table. Additional productivity advantages are inherent with this layout including the ease of incorporating different types of material handling systems, cutting materials that are larger than the tables work surface, better protection of the drive systems form the table surface as well as higher accuracy.
THE FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES OF HIGH RAIL WATERJET CUTTER MOTION SYSTEMS
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 system.
STREAMLINED MAINTENANCE
By moving the cutting heads up and away from the work surface, high rail motion systems limit their exposure to debris, reducing the amount of preventive maintenance required. Jet Edge high rail motion systems boast rigid covers with seals and positive pressure blowers to keep contamination 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 or overhead crane, or to add material handling solutions like conveyors or shuttle tables to reduce the operator’s manual effort and improve productivity.
CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS
The added height allows users to incorporate multiple cutting heads, robotic swivels, and other equipment that simply wouldn’t fit with the physical confines of a standard mid rail system. The open frame also makes it possible to build catch tanks of any shape and size to meet your unique needs and your material configuration is not constrained by the work envelope.
LEARN MORE:
Individually, these benefits can have a significant impact on your bottom line; together the advantages of our High Rail Motion System can transform your entire operation. Read our recent blog post and visit our Case Study Library to learn more about the advantages and benefits of High Rail Motion Systems.
THE IDEAL SOLUTION FOR A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES AND APPLICATIONS
High Rail Motion Cutting Systems offer the flexibility and advanced operations necessary for a wide range of applications commonly seen in many industries, most notably those involving heavy machining. To learn more about High Rail Motion Systems and if they are right for your operation, click the button below to download our Edge X-HR Product Brochure.
THE EDGE X-HR FEATURES AND BENEFITS DON’T END THERE.
Click here to explore the Edge X-HR in more detail.
JET EDGE IS A CUT ABOVE
UNMATCHED PRECISION & ACCURACY
Turn to Jet Edge when accuracy and speed really matter. Jet Edge Motion Systems isolate the cutting head from the catcher tank so noise and vibration do not transfer. This isolation of the tank ensures Jet Edge’s industry-leading accuracy and precision over the full life of the equipment. Applications requiring high tolerance, speed and operator efficiency will benefit greatly from the capabilities offered by the Jet Edge range of Motion Systems.
FULL LINE PROVIDER
Jet Edge is one of the few waterjet equipment companies that manufactures both its motion systems and pumps. This ensures seamless operation in the system between the pump and the motion controls and means you never get caught on service between manufacturers. Visit our accessories page to learn about the rest of the environmental systems Jet Edge makes available for your system including Abrasive Hoppers, Chillers, Abrasive Removal, Closed Loop Systems and more.
RANGE OF APPLICATIONS
Whether you are water jet cutting or abrasive cutting in 2 dimensions or 3 dimensions with a 5-axis cutting head we have the solution. Our Mid Rail and High Rail Motion systems when paired with our full range of Jet Edge Intensifier Pumps, excel across industries including steel distribution, custom manufacturing, food processing, robotic trimming, glass cutting, stone detailing, surface preparation and more. Cutting, slitting, cleaning, trimming along with other specialty applications are regularly performed with our pumps and motion systems.
PRODUCTIVITY OPTIONS
Jet Edge offers a menu of options for enhanced productivity. Lights out cutting enables machine operation without the direct supervision of a machinist. Multiple cutting heads increase productivity. Remote pump start allows pump control from the main system controls. Redundant intensifiers allow you to service your pump without bringing your system down. Load/unload systems, multiple cutting heads, heigh sensing, laser mapping, 5-axis cutting, robotic swivels, robotic integration and more allow you to design your system for the optimum productivity for your manufacturing system.
INDUSTRY LEADING CONTROL SYSTEMS
Utilizing IGEMS CAD/CAM software and an Aquavision DI fully networkable industrial PC controller, Jet Edge Motion Systems offer an enjoyable user experience. The system’s interface and commands make it easy to import or crate CAD files and programs. The optional Nesting Module provides Multi-sheet Nesting, common cutline nesting and unlike parts cutting from a single sheet to maximize material use. During operations, users are offered visibility and access to machine code via a full-featured handheld pendant.
CUSTOMIZED TECHNOLOGY & PERFORMANCE
Have a unique product or application? Jet Edge engineers and application specialists will work with you to confirm your requirements can be met with test cuts. After understanding your production goals, they will also assist in developing a custom configuration that meets your quality and productivity goals. And they will stay with you if you need additional help in implementation and system programming. Contact us to discuss your unique application!
FIND OUT IF A HIGH RAIL MOTION SYSTEM IS RIGHT FOR YOUR OPERATIONS
Assessing the potential of a high rail motion system in your production system against the more common mid rail system can be complicated with so many different factors to consider. Our Experts are here to help you understand which benefits you might take advantage of when evaluating high rail and mid rail motion systems.
CASE STUDY
For more insight into the actual real-world benefits of a high rail motion system, read about Metfab Engineering’s recent addition of a High Rail Gantry System to their operations. To see how those benefits might translate to your unique operations, schedule an Applications Analysis with one of our experts.
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