Contact Height Sensor, 3-Axis
The distance from the work surface to the tip of the cutting nozzle in water jet machining is called the Stand-Off Distance (“SOD”). The optimal SOD depends on the type of cutting being performed, the material being cut, and the desired cut quality.
As a starting point, the optimum SOD guidelines for the highest cut quality suggest:
- 3-axis Abrasive Waterjet Cutting SOD: 0.125” – 0.250”.
- 5-Axis Abrasive Waterjet Cutting SOD: 0.125”
Contact Height Sensor, 5-Axis
To ensure a consistent cut finish through the entire cut cycle, the SOD should be consistent at each point. Cutting too close to the material can cause back pressure, which can clog the abrasive line or worse, the nozzle can come in contact with the material being cut. A standoff that is too high can cause dimensional problems if the spray pattern enlarges and the delivered cutting pressure is reduced with the extra distance.
With Jet Edge’s Contact Height Sensor, you can overcome significant fluctuations in material ‑flatness by maintaining a constant automatic standoff height. Two styles of height sensing are available; one for 3-axis systems and one for 5-axis systems.
CONTACT HEIGHT SENSORS
By compensating for fluctuations in material flatness and other surface changes, you will achieve the most consistent cut finish, dimension tolerance, taper quality and cut speed. By utilizing a Contact Height Sensor, you can take the guess work out of the equation.
Jet Edge’s Contact Height Sensor’s probe foot contacts the work piece directly and travels along the surface of the material being cut. A position transducer is connected to the probe, and as the probe height changes, the sensor signals the AquaVision® Di controller to adjust the Stand-Off Distance during the cut. The AquaVision® Di controller software also provides feature avoidance for the Contact Height Sensor. This protects the height sensor and cutting head by automatically providing a tool path that will not allow the cutting head to pass over a previously cut part which can tip up after being cut. However, should the probe come into contact with the material edge, it will shut the cutting down until an operator corrects the material position. Mid rail systems with dual carriages can have two contact height sensors. High rail systems can have up to four contact height sensor assemblies used on individual sub-Z assemblies.
The Contact Height Sensor can maintain the abrasivejet height within about 0.040 inch (1 mm). The probe foot contacts the work piece around the nozzle so the information is as close as possible to the cut location. If the length of the nozzle is changed, the position of the contact foot needs to be repositioned to reflect the new length. Since the contact foot touches the work surface with a force of 32 oz (0.9 kg), make sure the material being cut will not deform on contact.
Other Surface Detection Options
LASER SURFACE MAPPING
Overcome Fluctuations in Material Flatness
The Laser Surface Mapping option creates a 100 x 100 point mapping grid and records the distance between a mounted laser sensor and the surface of the material. The distance data is used to create a topographical map of the surface undulations which a cutting head can follow to ensure the cutting head remains the optimum cutting distance from the surface of the material being cut. Cutting accuracy is improved along with edge finish consistency.
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Jet Edge is a leading manufacturer of waterjet cutting machines, intensifier pumps, and accessories. Whether you’ve got a demanding application due to tight tolerance precision requirements, you need non-stop grit, power, and hard work for heavy-duty cutting, you need a custom solution to optimize your process, or you simply want a capital equipment supplier who acts like a partner seeking your long term success—it’s time to get in touch with Jet Edge.
