Laser Height Sensing for More Precise Parts

Flow International Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, introduced its non-contact material height sensing solution, the DynaBeam Laser Sensing System.

"We are very excited to introduce the first non-contact precision height sensor to the waterjet industry," said Dr. Mohamed Hashish, Senior Vice President of Technology at Flow. "With this advancement we continue to ensure that our customers have the most advanced tools for the highest productivity and accuracy of cut parts. Laser measuring is highly accurate without requiring physical contact with a material."

The DynaBeam laser height sensing technology maps the natural state of materials, reducing the need for manual adjustment throughout cutting. Operators can choose between setting the standoff height between the waterjet nozzle and the workpiece before every pierce, or pre-mapping an entire workpiece quickly and easily. Used in combination with both Dynamic Waterjet and Dynamic Waterjet XD for 2D and 3D bevel cutting the system can produce faster, more accurate waterjet cutting.

"The DynaBeam is a unique combination of waterjet cutting versatility and laser precision measuring capabilities," said Dr. Alex Chillman, Product Team Leader for Flow. "Nozzle offset height can be set to an accuracy of +/- 0.1 mm [0.004 inch] very quickly. This fast, accurate, non-contact method results in no scratches to the material. The laser ensures waterjet cutting to high precision; necessary when producing close tolerance, multi-axis parts. Operators can quickly and easily cut precise parts, even when bevel cutting."

For more information contact:

Flow International Corporation

23500 64th Avenue South

Kent, WA 98032

800-446-FLOW / 253-850-3500

info@flowcorp.com

www.flowwaterjet.com