OMAX Corp.’s waterjet-cutting machines are used worldwide, increasingly in China. Photo courtesy Bosch Rexroth Corp.
About two years ago, the Chinese market presented OMAX with a tough challenge: Develop a high-quality waterjet cutting machine at a low cost so OMAX could further penetrate that price-conscious market.
To achieve this, the company would have to reduce machine assembly time, material costs and the need for specialized assembly methods.
OMAX met the challenge and created the Maxiem, a three-axis waterjet machine that measures 15 feet long by 7 feet wide. It features a bridge gantry that moves a lightweight waterjet cutting head back and forth, side to side, and up and down.
The Maxiem also features a linear motion framework made by Bosch-Rexroth Corp. that is strong enough to resist bending but robust enough to withstand friction, vibration and harsh abrasives from the water stream.
Components include T-slot framing made of anodized extruded aluminum, stainless steel shafts, eLINE compact ball bushings and seal kits, and DGE dynamic linear elements that provide precise linear motion. Shafts fit directly into the framing T-slots, enabling end-users to quickly attach components without machining to expand the Maxiem machine’s capabilities. Four bushings and seal kits are used on the Z axis.
OMAX also likes that the framing can be standard-ordered from a catalog, configures easily and assembles quickly in any desired length using standard hand tools. This flexibility helps OMAX bring Maxiem to market quickly and maintain its lean manufacturing process.
For more information on structural framing components, call 269-695-0151 or visit www.boschrexroth-us.com.
