20-Year-Old Water Jet Sweden Machine Given New Lease of Life with Complete Technology Upgrade

After 20 years of demanding industrial production, a Water Jet Sweden cutting machine has undergone a comprehensive modernisation, combining its original robust mechanical construction with the latest cutting technology, CNC controls and safety systems. The result demonstrates the long-term value of investing in quality-engineered waterjet cutting equipment.

Originally installed in 2006 at a specialist supplier of engineering and wear-resistant steels, the machine has been in continuous industrial use for two decades. Despite its age and demanding workload, the cutting table and mechanical structure remained in excellent condition, providing a sound foundation for further investment.

Rather than replacing a mechanically reliable machine, the customer chose to undertake a comprehensive upgrade, extending its operational life while benefiting from significant advances in waterjet cutting technology.

The modernisation involved a complete overhaul of the machine's electrical, control and cutting systems, while retaining its original mechanical foundation.

Existing cabling and cutting equipment were removed before the installation of new servo motors, electrical systems and a modern FANUC-based CNC control system.

The machine's cutting capabilities were also significantly enhanced with the installation of new cutting heads, including Water Jet Sweden's advanced Beveljet 60 five-axis cutting system. This introduces sophisticated 3D cutting capabilities, enabling the machine to undertake more complex cutting operations than were possible with its original configuration.

Further improvements included repositioning the high-pressure pump to provide better maintenance access, installing new protective bellows on the X-beam and upgrading the air supply and splash protection.

Alongside the mechanical and technological improvements, the machine received a comprehensive safety upgrade to meet current requirements.

New machine guarding and light-beam safety systems were installed, enabling the machine to undergo updated CE certification.

The modernisation also introduced Water Jet Sweden's latest EdgeCut 3 HMI (Human Machine Interface), providing operators with an updated interface for controlling and managing cutting operations.

Following installation, the upgraded machine underwent cutting trials and factory acceptance testing, with final on-site testing, adjustments and operator training ensuring the customer could take full advantage of its new capabilities.

Remarkably, the complete transformation was carried out in just one week.

The project highlights one of the key advantages of Water Jet Sweden's approach to machine design: building durable, precision-engineered equipment that can be maintained, supported and upgraded as technology develops.

By retaining the original machine structure and replacing ageing control, drive and cutting systems, the customer has effectively combined the reliability of an established machine with the performance and functionality of modern waterjet technology.

As well as offering a potentially more cost-effective alternative to purchasing an entirely new machine, this approach makes better use of existing equipment and resources, reducing the need to replace serviceable mechanical components.

For manufacturers operating older Water Jet Sweden equipment, the project demonstrates that a machine reaching 20 years of service need not be approaching the end of its useful life. With the right investment in modernisation, a proven machine can continue to deliver productive, accurate and efficient cutting for many years to come.

For UK manufacturers interested in extending the working life of their existing Water Jet Sweden equipment, Water Jet Sweden UK can provide advice on machine servicing, upgrades and modernisation options.