Quality of Service Key to the Success of Waterjet Cutting:
A machine builder’s business case
Independent machine builders considering a machine purchase are inspired by more than just the universal price-quality ratio. The quality of service and process backup that a machine supplier can offer post-sale makes the difference. It’s been eleven years since the Dutch AFW (Apparaten Fabricage Waalwijk BV) purchased a waterjet machine from Resato. Wim van der Wilk represents the third generation of the family business, which originally started with the construction of pump skids. He vividly remembers the old days before the waterjet was introduced: “Previously, everything was done with scissors, punching machines, and press brakes, making the fabrication of our pieces a much longer process.”
Diversity of materials:
Since the company has been equipped with the waterjet, it can handle a greater diversity of materials. This broadened the horizon for projects. Van der Wilk: “Our company specializes in custom metal work in small series up to about fifty pieces. However, we regularly cut non-metallic materials such as carbon and fiberglass-reinforced plastics with our waterjet.”
AFW also carries out maintenance and overhaul work for the LNG sector and the hydrogen industry, including the construction of specific containers.
Van der Wilk: “That waterjet has brought us so many more opportunities. The flexibility you create with it is unsurpassed; you can really do everything yourself. For example, we now make a whole range of products that we could only dream of before. Also, as far as metalworking is concerned, we no longer need to outsource anything. Everything happens here.”
AFW has become so accustomed to doing so much cutting work on that machine that the company has also become quite dependent on it. A good example is a special type of knives that AFW manufactures. The metallurgy cannot tolerate strong heat input, as you would get with laser cutting, and therefore may only be cut with the waterjet.
Technical backup from Resato
Rapid flexible response to a request is almost directly linked to the availability of the Resato waterjet. This makes the technical post-sale support that Resato offers a crucial factor. Van der Wilk: “We can call Resato at any time; its technical team is competent, flexible, and generally capable of mobilizing within one or two days to tackle any opportunity.” The good relationship with AFW as a customer has also benefited Resato. Both parties regularly exchange professional tips and process know-how, which prove invaluable within waterjet technology. By sharing knowledge with users who do not compete with each other, they can all learn and improve faster.
Van der Wilk: “The process has a relatively high trial-and-error factor, especially when experimenting with new materials. With the basic parameters you get from Resato, you have a good starting basis, but finding the ideal settings of abrasive supply, pressure, and cutting speed is a constant search. You learn as you go along. For instance, when you have to cut pieces of carbon fiber for the first time, it’s a major challenge. It has to be right the first time, because you can’t rework that kind of material.”
