OMAX Corporation for 20 years has made significant research and development investments in abrasive waterjet machining. Attendees saw demonstrated several new technology advances at the recent celebration of its 20th anniversary. One such key advancement was the introduction of the new MicroMAX JetMachining Center, which provides manufacturers with the ability to cut parts or part features smaller than 400 microns from a wide range of thicknesses and materials, including exotic metals, advanced composites, polymer thermoplastics and glass. Ideal for prototype development and production runs, the MicroMAX is a highly rigid machine with a table size of 2 feet 4 inches by 2 feet 4 inches and an X-Y cutting travel of 2 feet by 2 feet. "It utilizes advanced high-precision linear encoders, innovative vibration isolation and intuitive software control systems to achieve a position repeatability of +2.5 microns (±0.0001") and a positioning accuracy of approximately ±15 microns (±0.0006")," said a company spokesperson. At the event, OMAX also launched a new version of its Intelli-MAX Software Suite, an intuitive control software that automatically optimizes the tool paths of the company's advanced abrasive waterjet systems. The new Intelli- MAX 20 incorporates several enhanced features that improve the speed and memory utilization of OMAX Jet- Machining and MAXIEM JetCutting Centers as well as new tools that allow for increased operator efficiency. Attendees experienced the 3D part cutting capabilities of the company's Rotary Axis. The Rotary Axis head provides infinite rotation while cutting, making it ideal for pipe and tube, circular and square stock materials. "The company also displayed its fourth generation direct drive pump technology, designed for optimal efficiency, less energy usage, faster cutting speed per unit of input power and lower cost per finished part as compared with other pump technologies," said a company spokesperson. OMAX's new Intelli-VISOR System Monitoring Package was also on display. Through its streamlined software interface and robust machine sensor network, Intelli-VISOR oversees the status and performance of an OMAX abrasive waterjet throughout the entire cutting process. Intelli-VISOR works to increase efficiency and uptime of any OMAX JetMachining Center by connecting operation controls with machine maintenance. The system can automatically pause the machine before resources are exhausted, while allowing the user to ensure proper pressure at the pump and predict potential interruptions before starting a cut. Intelli-VISOR can alert the operator of any issues at the machine control screen, and with an Internet connection can distribute an alert notice to up to four people via email or SMS text messaging. During the OMAX 20th Anniversary celebration, attendees listened to special guest presentations on unique and diverse applications of abrasive waterjet cutting technology. USMC Gunnery Sgt. Matt Wolfe was in attendance to discuss how abrasive waterjet cutting technology was deployed to Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Military personnel used the portable abrasive waterjet cutting to fabricate parts less than 10 miles from where they would be used. Dr. Robin Coope, Group Leader for Instrumentation at the British Columbia Cancer Agency's Genome Sciences Centre, gave a presentation on h ow his t e am uses OMAX mac h i n e s in the fight against cancer, specifically to manufactu reparts for Barracuda, a robot that automates the selecting of a particular size of DNA strands to put into sequencing machines. Steve Folin, Founder and Owner of Rickard Engineering & Design, shared how his investment in MAXIEM Jet- Cutting Centers expanded his shop's capabilities and increased productivity. "The breadth of materials that can be cut using MAXIEM waterjet technology paired with its low maintenance, has enabled Rickard Engineering & Design to double capacity each year," said Steve Folin. Students of Aviation High School's FIRST Robotics team wowed the crowd With their robot, which was built using OMAX's advanced abrasive waterjet technology. More details about the event and technology can be found at www.omax.com/20years. For more information contact: OMAX Corporation 21409 72nd Ave. South Kent, WA 98032 253-872-2300 omax@omax.com www.omax.com www.maxiemwaterjets.com