Page 36 - MetalForming June 2015

Waterjets
Waterjets
Take Up
Take Up
Residence
Residence
at Laser House
at Laser House
For the better part of three decades, this central- California metal fabricator staked its claim as a leading supplier of laser- cut and formed metal parts. Waterjet cutting washed onshore in 2008-2009 and the firm’s been riding the wave ever since.
BY BRAD F. KUVIN, EDITOR
Until 2009, the cutting machines residing at Central Cal Metals, Fresno, CA, performed laser cutting—25 machines in all, working alongside complimentary fabricating equipment including press brakes and shears. When business at the third-
generation family-owned company lev- elled off somewhat in 2008, the com- pany welcomed a waterjet-cutting machine into its sprawling 165,000- sq.-ft. home.
“We conducted a lot of research into waterjet-cutting technology,” says oper- ations manager Tom Alandt. “We visited several equipment suppliers and brought along sample parts that we asked them to cut, on the spot. We watched how they programmed the parts, and how the machine cut them. And, we asked each supplier to cut the same part profiles from a variety of material types and thicknesses.
“In 2008, when we began research- ing the process,” Alandt continues, “we believed that the worst-case scenario was that we’d be able to use a waterjet- cutting machine to cut thin-gauge alu- minum. But within a year of installing the first machine (from Flow Intl.), we realized the potential, and we pur- chased a second Flow machine.”
Much of the early work for its water- jet-cutting machines, says Alandt, was for existing customers. Atop its cus- tomer list are manufacturers of auto-
Waterjet cutting has opened numerous doors in several new markets for Central Cal Metals, including cutting reflective materials such as aluminum (shown here), as well as cutting nonmetals such as plastics and rubber.
motive-aftermarket parts and suppliers to the aerospace, farm-equipment and electrical industries.
Now six waterjet machines, all Mach 3 models from Flow Intl., live here.
“While we experienced consistent growth in our waterjet-cutting busi- ness from the outset,” says Alandt, “since 2012 waterjet cutting has opened doors into several new mar- kets. For example, the technology’s unique capabilities, including cutting reflective materials as well as non- metals such as plastics and rubber. And, with zero heat-affected zone, we have been able to grow significantly into the aerospace industry. We’re even cutting rubber for the farming industry.”
And, farm-equipment customers for Central Cal Metals’ laser-cutting serv- ices now turn to the company to water- jet-cut thick mild-steel plate.
No Lot Size Too Small
When the economy changed in 2008, so did many a job-shop fabrica- tor, including Central Cal Metals.
“We used to accept only orders for 50 parts or more,” says Alandt. “When business slowed in 2008-2009, we decided to wave that restriction and started taking on smaller lot sizes. And we’ve found that waterjet cutting real- ly lends itself to that business philoso- phy, especially for cutting thick work. The combination of being easy to pro- gram and set up and having longer processing times than laser cutting allows the waterjet-cutting machine operator to walk away from the machine while it cuts and tend to other machines.”
Central Cal Metal’s initial foray into waterjet cutting comprised a 6.5- by 13-ft. Flow Mach 3 4020b Dynamic
34 MetalForming/June 2015
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