Small and medium-sized enterprises have a decisive advantage in the current economic situation: They can react faster than corporations. This is especially true for those that are local and do not depend on suppliers, and that have universal machining know-how or repertoire in the company. This is exactly why waterjet users are now ahead of the game. These companies are benefiting from the emergency situation, as they are able to compensate for supply shortages from overseas across industries and can prove themselves increasingly in the just-in-time production of large batches. Reason enough for the leading European manufacturer STM to turn the crisis into a win-win situation and make it easier for companies to quickly switch to waterjets across the board. To this end, STM offers businesses free management consulting, which includes business plans, demand analyses, cost-benefit calculations, digitisation issues and process optimisation in manufacturing. For this purpose, experienced STM application engineers familiarize themselves with the individual company situation, make suggestions and present definite waterjet solutions, which are verified with free test cuts and can be mastered through training. Last but not least, the coaching package includes the procurement of used equipment and an own financing model, which will soon be ready for the market. All this is easily implemented remotely during quarantine periods with the help of the latest conference technology. “The situation is by no means hopeless,” managing director Jürgen Moser states.” Paths are created only by walking them. With our initiative, we offer interested entrepreneurs a practical shortcut without any stumbling blocks.” For the time being, the campaign will run until 30/8/2020. Interested parties from German-speaking countries can contact STM test centres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Over the last 30 years, STM has consistently developed its waterjet system into a modular system of unlimited possibilities that is ideally suited to the “Big 5” of future-oriented production: Flexibility, economy, high degree of automation, resource and energy efficiency and sustainability:

More flexibility

Waterjet cutting is almost magically versatile. The cold cutting process is suitable for e.g. steel, aluminium, non-ferrous metal, glass, stone, plastic, composite materials and food. A wide variety of materials in thicknesses from 0.1 to 300 mm can be cut quickly and with high quality without any conversion effort. Parallel pure water and abrasive cutting is possible – regardless of whether 2D, 3D, pipe or robot cutting is requested. And regardless of whether prototype, small series or large quantities are called for. Cutting with waterjets turns e.g. the series production of the all-important corona sneeze guard for checkout areas into child's play as much as the production of mouthguard blanks.

More economic efficiency

Whether it is individual or series production, this cold cutting process guarantees cost-effective production with maximum precision, small cutting widths and best cutting edge quality. Based on conventional CAD data, the technology enables the material and time-saving nesting of several work steps. Even highly complex forms can be produced with absolute precision and clean cut edges without deforming material or surfaces. With a standard PC and the intelligent SmartCut software from STM, drawings can be imported and cutting parameters defined in no time at all. The system calculates cutting time and costs per order so that production in the ideal cutting area can be controlled at any time. Malfunctions can easily be remedied by the user or through remote maintenance. The usually customary post-processing due to thermal deformation or burrs is eliminated completely. Maintenance requirements are also low, most problems can be resolved quickly and inexpensively via remote maintenance. Another important aspect is the high wear resistance of the equipment: And thanks to the fact that STM only uses series components with long-term availability, the machines have a nearly unlimited service life and can moreover be upgraded to match requirements. Good logistics with short transport routes and extremely customer-oriented support guarantee smooth operation.

More digitisation

STM waterjet cutting systems are characterized by a high degree of automation and ease of operation. Cutting jobs can therefore be processed almost all around. STM systems have been also M2M-capable and enable data exchange via all currently possible interfaces. On the one hand, this is ensured by the SmartCut software which enables a complex data exchange with work preparation, CRM and process control systems. On the other hand, the systems can be linked with standardised interfaces like ProfiNET, ProfiBUS, UDP protocol or OPC server in order to connect them to other cutting machines, automatic loading machines or robots.

And the best thing is: Unlike with multi groups, STM application engineers are prepared to take customers “by the hand” with the digitisation of production and to explore all options regarding data exchange and intelligent data processing in an interdisciplinary manner. They have a profound know-how of how production data can be exchanged in a more or less open network and processed intelligently with the help of STM systems.


More energy and resource efficiency

Waterjet cutting is per se an energy-efficient cold cutting process. At STM, this advantage is also supported through the design. STM waterjet cutting systems are as standard equipped with energy-saving drives and lightweight guides, energy-saving LED lighting and a highly efficient power supply. The ideal ratio between CW connected load to pressure and litres per minute the high-pressure pump, the heart of the waterjet cutting systems, additionally ensures minimum energy consumption.

But waterjet cutting “powered by STM” helps to save resources even the energy aspect. It requires minimal personnel and tool costs. Material consumption is minimized by technical details like infinitely variable abrasive dosing and the efficient nesting of cutting jobs.

More sustainability

On the ecological side, waterjet cutting becomes attractive because neither gases nor dusts are generated during operation. Process water and seals can also be recycled easily, e.g. with the fully automatic “OneClean” recycling system for water and abrasive, which is globally unique. All residues can be separated and disposed of properly. In addition, the systems have impressively long service lives, and individual components of old systems can still be used in newly purchased ones as the STM module system is almost fully compatible.

In view of these advantages, the capital expenditure proves to be quite feasible. If, for example, you purchase a high-quality and literally inexpensive machine from STM worth 90,000 euros or more, the system will pay for itself after just seven years at a production yield of 30,000 euros per year – i.e. 150 euros per day. This calculation should motivate even conservative calculators. It is therefore no wonder that investment in water cutting equipment is also subsidised by the state through special depreciation and structural improvement funds. In addition, STM, in cooperation with a Swiss bank, wants to have its financing programme re-launched by ... in cases where entrepreneurial spirit is hampered by a lack of liquid funds. In any case, it is worthwhile for processing companies to use the involuntary spare time to sound out the potential of waterjet technology for their own needs with the help of STM without obligation. The test centres in Austria, Germany and the Switzerland are available by telephone and video link at normal business hours during the quarantine period.