ARMORSTRUXX: WATERJETS FLEX MUSCLE FOR MILITARY

The team at ArmorStruxx in Lodi, CA, relies on eight Flow waterjets to fabricate Kevlar(TM)-reinforced armor panels for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, a new class of heavy military transport now deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When the MRAP is fitted with ArmorStruxx technology, its panels can withstand the impact of bullets or blasts from explosives, which account for at least one-third of military fatalities.

Joe Felts, Director of Engineering for ArmorStruxx, says his company chose Flow waterjets for their speed, versatility and reliability. All of ArmorStruxx's Mach 3 waterjets -- most of which feature the HyperJet® rated at 94,000 psi and Dynamic Waterjet technology -- run three shifts per day, seven days a week.

"The waterjet has proven to be the ideal cutting tool, especially in cutting the composite material used on this vehicle," said Felts. "This material quickly dulls any other type of cutting tool, but the abrasive waterjet cuts continuously through it, which is significant for our operations."

In addition to developing proprietary materials for its customers, ArmorStruxx uses its Flow waterjets to cut parts from a wide array of materials including HJ1, T-Flex™, ceramics, Spectra®, Hexform®, 2-in. phenolic E-glass, and more.

At peak production, ArmorStruxx ships 35 vehicle sets per day to support two different MRAP vehicle platforms.