When Mine Mechanisation and Equipment Ltd (MME) of Carletonville, South Africa invested in a KMT Waterjet Systems powered waterjet cutting machine, not only did it make profile cutting for its mining machinery easier and more accurate, it also allowed the company to diversify into totally different industries. The versatility of the waterjet system, powered by a KMT Waterjet Systems pump, is such that Mine Mechanisation and Equipment is able to use the machine to cut marble and granite table tops for a new furniture-making venture. It can also cut mild steel and stainless steel components for its mining machinery. The new machine, manufactured by Knuth, has a 6-metre x 2-metre cutting table and twin cutting heads. Powered by a KMT Streamline SL-IV 50HP Intensifier producing up to 3600 bar, the integral abrasive cutting system is monitored by a fully automatic Abrasive Management System (AMS). This controls the accuracy and stability of abrasive flow into the waterjet, leaving the operator free to look after the actual cutting process. MME’s Technical Manager,Cyril Peters, said: “The KMT pump is perfect for the job. It is much quieter in operation than others we have compared it with and utterly reliable. It has been in operation for about six months now and has given absolutely no problems.”
