Page 33 - MetalForming-Nov-2018-issue

trols cutting speed at each point while optimizing acceleration and decelera- tion. This allows for more precise cutting and significant increases in cutting speed. The result: a square edge.
Another product, A-Jet, also from Omax, assists in the elimination of taper. The A-Jet bevel cutting head allows for automated, articulated taper compensation and enables creation of complex 3D shapes.
Minimize Taper Without Accessories
Even without the use of automated articulated cutting heads, operators still can mitigate taper. Today’s waterjet software often offers built-in taper- compensation options as well as improved nozzle controls. In addition, operators can take steps to reduce or eliminate taper.
Adjusting cut qualities represents
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Fig. 4—To better combat unwanted taper, use the highest-quality abrasive available. And, experiment if necessary. If experi- encing taper with an 80-mesh abrasive, try a 120- or 150-mesh.
in specific work areas of the material. Here, the machine automatically adjusts cut speed to minimize taper.
Operators can minimize taper issues by accurately setting up material in the machining software, and ensuring that the material is correctly listed, its machinability is true and that the thick- ness of the piece is precise. All of this information allows the machine’s soft- ware to calculate proper cut speed to produce a specified cut quality.
For example, Intelli-Max Layout software from Omax provides a single button that utilizes all job and materials data, and allows the operator to assign the most taper-free edge possible. The Quality of Minimum Taper button in the software’s Available Qualities tool- bar will decrease or increase cut speed as necessary to provide the minimum amount of taper.
Zero Taper is Possible
Some machines can remove V- shaped and reverse taper simply by tilt- ing the cutting head to compensate. For example, Omax Tilt-A-Jet technology allows for automated taper compensa- tion, using a predictive model to cal- culate taper in the kerf at each portion of a cutting path. The software com- mands the nozzle head to tilt in vertical alignment with the part edge, resulting in taper on the scrap side of the material being cut. The jet continuously adjusts at thousands of points per inch along the cutting path, and the software con-
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