The OMAX 55100 Gives Deakin Students No Limitations

Research and development is key to Deakin Universities CADET project (Centre for Advanced Engineering and Technology) and the newly purchased OMAX 55100 is set to assist industry and students in research, product development and process refinement.

Craig McGill, technical manager for the School of Engineering and Design says they have high hopes for the OMAX 55100.

“The school of engineering and design looks after students from primary school to PHD and services the research and industry engagement sectors,” Craig says.

“The OMAX 55100 shows huge potential for us,

“It will be used to make parts for scientific research as well as samples for research testing, and importantly, through knowledge transfer activities, will assist manufacturers develop ways that such technologies can be utilised in concert with other subtractive and additive technologies to identify process improvements” he says.

Craig has been working for Deakin University since February 2014 and says the OMAX is the only waterjet on all of Deakin’s campus’. The 55100 is used across multiple streams, from mechanical engineering, civil engineering, design and material sciences.

“The first job we did with the OMAX, we cut up a snowboard into 50mmx50mm samples for students for material testing,” he says.

“The OMAX 55100 is considered as the most versatile abrasive waterjets available, accessories such as the A-Jet 5-axis system, drill head and rotary axis mean there are no limitations with what the students can do,

“The waterjet will allow us to cut non-ferrous materials like carbon fibre, without the OMAX system this wouldn’t be possible, being able to showcase the system’s flexibility and the scope of materials has really been of benefit to not only the students but also several industrial partners” Craig says.

The OMAX 55100 is a robust and reliable machine for using larger stock. With a table size of 3200 mm x 1650 mm, it rapidly and precisely gets the job done, maximising machine time and minimising costs.

As part of the CADET project, Deakin previously purchased a Makino Wire EDM and Nakamura-Tome AS200 from Headland Machinery. With the added features and accuracy of the OMAX abrasive waterjet system, Craig says the waterjet will help alleviate some of the pressure put on the Wire EDM.

“The Wire Cut has accumulated a lot of jobs so the waterjet will be taking over some of the work, enabling an expansion of cutting capabilities and efficiency around,” he says.

Matthew Weaver, Headland’s Waterjet specialist says giving students the opportunity to work with world class machinery like OMAX, will benefit the future of the manufacturing industry.

“Having OMAX abrasive waterjets in educational facilities is important for the future growth of the technology in general industry,

“Increasing the awareness of the students to the abilities of abrasive waterjet machining will ensure they are ready for the manufacturing industry of the future,” he says.

For more information on Deakin’s CADET program click here.