Omax waterjet repair in Illinois

Direct-drive abrasive waterjets

Omax, based in Kent, Washington, and now part of Hypertherm, builds abrasive waterjets that are popular with Illinois job shops, prototype shops, fabricators, sign makers and schools. You’ll find Omax JetMachining Centers, MAXIEM tables, ProtoMAX compact machines and GlobalMAX machines across the Chicago area, many with Tilt-A-Jet or A-Jet heads for taper control and bevel cutting.

Omax machines are known for easy programming with Omax’s own software and for direct-drive pumps that are simpler than intensifier pumps. LocalSpindle techs work on Omax pumps, plumbing, cutting heads, abrasive systems, table motion and controls.

Direct-drive pumps

Omax machines use direct-drive pumps, where an electric motor drives a crankshaft and plungers to make high-pressure water directly, without the hydraulic intensifier used on many other waterjets. Direct-drive pumps are efficient and quick to respond, but their seals, check valves and plungers wear like any waterjet pump, and they depend on a good water supply.

When an Omax pump loses pressure, the usual causes are worn high-pressure seals, leaking check valves, a leaking fitting or tube, a worn orifice, or a water supply or filter problem. We test the pump, find where pressure is being lost, and replace the wear parts that need it. We also check the motor, drive and pump crankcase.

Cutting heads, taper and abrasive

Omax nozzles combine an orifice, a mixing chamber and a mixing tube. Worn components, clogged abrasive feed, wet abrasive or a misaligned nozzle affect cut quality and speed. Taper on cut parts can come from the nozzle condition, cutting speed, or a problem with the Tilt-A-Jet or A-Jet head that compensates for it.

When parts start coming out with more taper than they used to, we check nozzle wear and alignment, the abrasive flow, the cutting model in the software, and the taper compensation hardware.

Table motion and controls

Omax tables are precise, but their bearings, rails, ballscrews and drives wear with use and abrasive exposure. Motion problems show up as dimensional errors and rough or uneven cuts. Z-axis problems affect standoff height and cut quality. We check table motion, drives and the PC-based controller along with the pump and head.

Abrasive removal and the tank

Abrasive builds up in a waterjet tank quickly. A full tank affects cutting, can splash and can damage the table. Abrasive removal systems have their own pumps, hoses and controls, and they fail when they clog or wear. We service and repair abrasive removal systems along with the waterjet.

Maintenance that keeps an Omax cutting

A planned maintenance visit replaces pump seals and check valves on schedule, inspects high-pressure plumbing, checks nozzle components, services the abrasive feed and removal systems, checks water quality and filters, and checks table motion. Regular maintenance keeps cost per part down and prevents surprise breakdowns.