In the world of precision cutting, the choice of machinery is pivotal for ensuring high-quality results, especially for extensive or multi-part projects. The OMAX 160X Precision JetMachining Center stands out in this regard, offering a robust solution for industrial cutting needs.
This review delves deep into its features, specifications, and overall performance to provide a thorough understanding of its capabilities and benefits.
OMAX 160X Abrasive Water Jet Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Footprint (with Pump) | 37′ 1″ x 25′ 6″ to 56′ 0″ x 25′ 6″ (11.30 m x 7.77 m to 17.06 m x 7.77 m) |
| Height (with Scissor Plumbing) | 11′ 0″ (3.35 m) |
| Operating Weight | 83,000 lbs to 199,000 lbs (37,648 kg to 90,265 kg) |
| Weight (Tank Empty) | 47,500 lbs (21,546 kg) |
| X-Y Cutting Travel | 20′ 0″ x 13′ 4″ to 46′ 8″ x 13′ 4″ (6.09 m x 4.06 m to 14.22 m x 4.06 m) |
| Z-Axis Travel (with Motorized Z Axis) | 8″ (203 mm) |
| Table Size | 21′ 7″ x 14′ 9″ to 48′ 6″ x 14′ 9″ (6.57 m x 4.49 m to 14.78 m x 4.49 m) |
| Material Supports Slats | 4″ x 1/8″ Galvanized Steel |
| Maximum Supported Material Load | 400 lbs/sq ft (1,950 kg/sq meter) |
| Electrical Requirements | 3-Phase, 380-480 VAC ±10%, 50-60 Hz |
| Noise Level | Below 80 dBA at one meter for submerged cutting |
| Speed | 350 in/min (8,890 mm/min) |
| Linear Positional Accuracy | ±0.001″ (±0.025 mm) |
| Repeatability | ±0.001″ (±0.025 mm) |
| Ballbar Circularity | ±0.005″ (±0.127 mm) |
Quick Features Look
Standard Features
- IntelliMAX Premium Software: Backed by our exclusive software, enhancing operational efficiency and ease of use.
- IntelliTRAX System: Features an exclusive abrasive jet linear drive system that delivers speeds up to 350 in/min (8.9 m/min) with real-time closed-loop positioning feedback for precision.
- Programmable Z-Axis: Offers a 12-inch (305 mm) programmable Z axis, boasting the lowest ceiling height requirement in the industry.
- Rapid Water Level Control: Standard feature that ensures cleaner, safer, and quieter submerged cutting, typically maintaining noise levels below 80 dBA.
OMAX Benefits
- Local Manufacturing: Designed and manufactured at the OMAX factory in Kent, Washington, USA, ensuring high quality and reliability.
- No Heat-Affected Zones: The cutting process does not create heat-affected zones or mechanical stresses, preserving the integrity of the materials.
- Versatile Material Handling: Capable of machining a wide range of materials and thicknesses, including metals, composites, glass, and plastics.
- Efficient Setup: Requires no tool changes and minimal fixturing, which significantly reduces setup time.
Service & Training
- Lifetime Training: Unlimited free training for the life of your machine, ensuring your team is always up to speed with the latest operational techniques.
- Software Upgrades: Unlimited software upgrades are provided for the life of the machine, keeping it current with the latest improvements.
- Warranty: Comes with a 2-year / 4000-hour limited warranty, offering peace of mind and protection for your investment.
- Onsite Training: Includes 3 days of onsite training upon installation to ensure your team is fully equipped to use the machine effectively from day one.
Cutting Envelope and Design
The OMAX 160X is specifically designed for handling large-scale projects. It offers a versatile cutting envelope ranging in length from 37 feet (approximately 11.30 meters) to 56 feet (approximately 17.06 meters), capable of accommodating extensive or multiple-part projects with ease. The impressive linear position accuracy of ±0.001″ (±0.025 mm) underscores its capability to execute precise cuts, essential for intricate designs and tight tolerances.
The design of the 160X also emphasizes minimal spatial requirement despite its large scale. It boasts the lowest ceiling height requirement in its class, making it an ideal choice for workshops where space optimization is crucial.
IntelliTRAX Linear Drive System
One of the standout features of the OMAX 160X is its IntelliTRAX Linear Drive System. This system is specifically designed for the abrasive waterjet environment, enhancing both the speed and precision of cutting operations. The system allows for rapid traversing at speeds up to 350 inches per minute (8.9 meters per minute), coupled with real-time closed-loop positioning feedback that ensures continued accuracy throughout the cutting process.
Programmable Motorized Z-Axis
The 160X features a 12-inch (305 mm) programmable Z-axis travel, which provides additional flexibility and precision. This feature is particularly beneficial for projects that require varying cut depths or complex 3D machining. The precision OMAX MAXJET 5i Nozzle included as standard enhances productivity and process efficiency, making the 160X a powerhouse for high-volume production environments.
Rapid Water Level Control
Noise reduction and safety are critical concerns in any industrial setting. The OMAX 160X addresses these with its standard rapid water level control, which facilitates cleaner, safer, and quieter submerged cutting. Most operations are completed below 80 decibels (dBA), significantly reducing the noise pollution typically associated with industrial machinery.
Pump and Maintenance Features
The EnduroMAX pump integrated into the OMAX 160X is a high-performance component that maximizes uptime with maintenance cycles only required every 1,000 hours. It also increases production capacity by delivering 30% more cutting power compared to conventional pumps. The inclusion of a Variable Frequency Drive minimizes startup power consumption and maximizes operational flexibility, further enhancing the machine’s efficiency.
Service and Training
OMAX does not just sell machines; they ensure that their customers achieve optimal usage of their equipment through comprehensive support and training. The 160X comes with unlimited free training for the life of the machine and unlimited software upgrades, ensuring that operators are always equipped with the latest skills and software enhancements. Additionally, a 2-year / 4000-hour limited warranty and 3 days of onsite training upon installation underline OMAX’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
Specifications Overview
The machine’s specifications are as robust as its features. With an operating weight ranging from 83,000 lbs to 199,000 lbs (37,648 kg to 90,265 kg), and a substantial X-Y cutting travel capacity (20′ 0″ x 13′ 4″ to 46′ 8″ x 13′ 4″), the 160X is built for heavy-duty performance. The electrical requirements are standard for industrial equipment, necessitating a 3-phase, 380-480 VAC supply.
Material Handling and Versatility
The OMAX 160X is engineered to handle a diverse array of materials, reflecting its adaptability across various industries. From metals and composites to glass and plastics, the machine can process nearly any material up to a thickness of 400 lbs/sq ft (1,950 kg/sq meter). This versatility is supported by the machine’s robust construction, including 4″ x 1/8″ galvanized steel material supports slats that ensure stable and precise cutting, even with heavy materials.
The large tank size, which varies with the model from 21′ 7″ x 14′ 9″ to 48′ 6″ x 14′ 9″ (6.57 m x 4.49 m to 14.78 m x 4.49 m), provides ample space for larger sheets of material, reducing the need for frequent adjustments and thereby enhancing operational efficiency.
IntelliMAX Premium Software Integration
Central to the OMAX 160X’s performance is the IntelliMAX Premium Software. This proprietary software is designed to optimize the cutting process by simplifying the setup and execution of complex cutting paths. The software’s intuitive interface allows operators to easily control the cutting process, adjust parameters on the fly, and even simulate cutting paths before actual execution, reducing material waste and improving precision.
Furthermore, the software is continually updated, ensuring it remains compatible with the latest computing platforms and incorporates new features as they become available. This commitment to ongoing development ensures that users can always leverage the most advanced capabilities of their machinery.
Noise and Environmental Considerations
The OMAX 160X excels in operational environment management, particularly in noise control. Operating below 80 dBA for submerged cutting, it is significantly quieter than many competing machines, making it suitable for operation in environments where noise is a concern, such as shared spaces or facilities close to office areas.
OMAX 160X Abrasive Water Jet Pros and Cons
Pros
- Precision Cutting: Offers linear position accuracy of ±0.001″ (±0.025 mm), essential for detailed and intricate designs.
- Large Cutting Envelope: Available in lengths from 37 to 56 feet, accommodating extensive or multiple-part projects easily.
- IntelliTRAX Linear Drive System: Provides rapid traversing at 350 in/min and real-time closed-loop positioning feedback for sustained accuracy.
- Programmable Z-Axis: Features a 12-inch programmable Z-axis travel, enhancing flexibility and precision for complex cutting operations.
- Quiet Operation: Standard rapid water level control ensures most cutting operations are below 80 dBA, reducing noise pollution significantly.
- Advanced Software Integration: Backed by IntelliMAX Premium Software, facilitating easy control over complex cutting paths and updates.
- Material Versatility: Capable of cutting a wide range of materials and thicknesses, from metals to glass and plastics.
- Comprehensive Training and Support: Offers unlimited free training and software upgrades for the life of the machine, plus extensive customer support.
- Robust Warranty: Comes with a 2-year / 4000-hour limited warranty and includes three days of onsite training upon installation.
Cons
- Size Requirements: Despite its low ceiling height requirement, the large footprint may still be prohibitive for smaller facilities.
- Initial Cost: The upfront investment for this advanced technology can be significant, potentially out of reach for smaller operations without financing options.
- Complexity: While the software provides powerful capabilities, there may be a learning curve involved, particularly for those not familiar with advanced CNC machinery.
- Maintenance: Although maintenance cycles are extended, they are crucial and can be complex, requiring skilled personnel to ensure operational efficiency.
Warranty and Support
OMAX’s 2-year / 4000-hour limited warranty reflects their confidence in the 160X’s durability and performance. The warranty, coupled with comprehensive support options, including the large customer support network and the promise of unlimited software upgrades, illustrates OMAX’s commitment to their customer’s ongoing satisfaction and success.
Conclusion
The OMAX 160X Precision JetMachining Center is a formidable contender in the industrial machinery space, particularly for businesses that require precision and efficiency in large-scale cutting operations.
Its advanced features like the IntelliTRAX system, programmable Z-axis, and rapid water level control, combined with exceptional service and training offerings, make it an invaluable asset for any industrial cutting environment. Designed and manufactured in the USA, this machine not only promises reliability and precision but also supports a wide range of materials and thicknesses, thereby offering unparalleled versatility and performance.