MRG Tool and Die, Faribault, Minn., specializes in providing high-quality, close tolerance metalworking specialties. Among the services MRG offer include metal stamping dies, plastic injection molds, jigs and fixtures, production stamping and production machining, all utilizing a variety of technologies including waterjet cutting, mills, lathes, EDM, and CNCs.
Looking to produce parts faster and more efficiently, as well as save on material costs, MRG sought to implement a state-of-the-art cutting technology to accomplish these goals. After researching different technologies, MRG implemented Flow International's HyperJet pump rated at 94,000 psi and run continuously at 87,000 psi.
"We do a lot of molds and dies, and used to rough out things that we’d machine later," said Rebecca Gramse, engineer at MRG. "We wanted to do a better job by cutting faster, more efficiently as well as save money on material. Flow's Hyperjet waterjet cutting machine helps us accomplish these goals. Cutting at 87,000 psi, we’re cutting die sets, stripper plates, and aerospace parts that involve different fixturing and tooling."
The biggest impact of waterjet cutting at 87,000 psi is on productivity.
"We've realized a tremendous impact on our productivity cutting at 87,000 psi," said Gramse. "For example, in cutting die set plates, what previously took us 25 hours to cut now takes us 15 hours, with a nice edge quality."
Additionally, the HyperJet is giving MRG a competitive edge in its market.
"We are getting a lot of new work from companies such as aerospace, of which at least ¼ of jobs are waterjet-specified applications. In fact, we specifically got a job because of our waterjet running at 87,000 psi, so we are definitely seeing an increase in business as a result."
Overall, MRG is extremely pleased with their HyperJet cutting system.
"We are extremely happy with our system," said Gramse. "It's a great machine and we are hoping to purchase another one in the future."
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