Wightman Stewart waterjet gives panel manufacturer a cleaner cut

Steadmans' AS 35 panels consist of two coated steel profiles, including an external weather sheet 0.5 mm thick and an internal liner 0.4 mm thick. A core of polyisocyanurate (PIR) is introduced between the steel profiles in a continuous process. The resulting product is a high performance weatherproof envelope that can be rapidly installed. Previously the company has relied on a 'wet knife' cutting solution that resulted in variable finish quality in the panels. Now as the coated steel/foam sandwich is fed along the production line, it is first rough cut by a saw blade and a following waterjet cutting head trims the insulation and provides a 90º smooth edge to the panel, removing any excess fill. This ensures that contractors installing the panels can achieve a much tighter fit and their job can proceed faster and without rework. Wightman Stewart took into consideration the 40 to 100 mm thicknesses in the AS composite panel range that had to be cut. The system also had to operate five days a week, every week, so it needed to operate reliably continuously. Wightman Stewart recommended a 15 hp intensifier capable of delivering up to 3,800 bar pressure for the waterjet which operates at 3,000 bar pressure. The intensified waterjet is delivered through high pressure flexible tubing to a cutting head with a 0.15 mm orifice. Steadman reports that the waterjet solution has worked extremely well and there has been a substantial reduction in the amount of swarf generated within the cutting cabinet, while the water used simply evaporates.