Waterjet Technology solves future Rocket Science

/ins Sending satellites into orbit is today a large and global industry. In Sweden you find the world leading supplier of Payload Adapters and Separation Systems for commercial launch vehicles. They manufacture systems compatible with all commercial satellite buses in the world today. Market leadership means constant investigation of ways to develop the rocket science even further. This time it led to new ways of processing their thick carbon fiber materials.

The purpose of the Payload Adapter and Separation System is to bring a satellite into orbit. The systems ensure that satellite and rocket remain securely attached to one another during the tough journey into space, and then deliver the valuable payloads into orbit with precision.

The Payload Adapter of today is made out of aluminum and carbon fiber technology. The two parts are thoroughly bolted together into one big cone, several meters in diameter. The design has an impressive performance. Over 600 separations have been carried out in orbit with a 100 percent success rate.

But calculations have shown that Payload Adapter Systems in 100% carbon fiber would improve weight and stiffness significantly. A design that could increase both rocket efficiency and investment payback. Instead of bolting the two Payload Adapter pieces together the same design as on glulam beams could be used – finger joints. A design that enables a big contact surface, a strong joint and is suitable when joining similar materials.

Since neither milling nor sawing was applicable for processing this kind of design, and Water Jet Sweden was contacted to conduct live waterjet test cutting.

-          Complex carbon fiber geometries are generally difficult to process efficiently without using waterjet cutting technology, Tony Ryd, CTO at Water Jet Sweden, explains.

The test was performed by cutting 47 mm long finger joints in a cone shaped 12 mm thick carbon fiber material with a circumference of 7,2 meters. The incision needed a tolerance of 0.1 mm around the circle, to be able to safely be glued together. A highly advanced FiveX machine system from Water Jet Sweden was chosen for the test.

-          Our FiveX machine system is unique since it has a combination of extreme precision and a full 3D abrasive cutting ability. It is specially designed for this kind of advanced applications, cutting with a repetition accuracy of +/- 0.025 mm, tells Tony Ryd.

The was successful and gave to clear conclusions. First of all, it proved that full carbon Payload Adapters are possible on future launch vehicles, and secondly, it showed that abrasive waterjet cutting is a suitable cutting technology for carbon materials and future rocket science.

Facts

After more than 30 years Water Jet Sweden in Ronneby Sweden has become one of the leading European manufacturers of water jet cutting systems, with an international footprint and customers in more than 40 countries around the globe. The ambition is to be the obvious first choice for customers worldwide who seek solutions in water jet cutting where high quality, high technical content and high service standards are the basic elements. www.waterjetsweden.com


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Company Information


Water Jet Sweden Logo


Address and contact details:

Water Jet Sweden AB

Teknikvägen 4

372 38 Ronneby

Sweden

Phone: +46 457 455 440

sales@waterjet.se

www.waterjetsweden.com

Press contact


Water Jet Sweden CMO Klas Wallström
Klas Wallström, CMO
Phone: +46 457 455 430

Klas.wallstrom@waterjet.se

Via social media

Company Information


TAGARNO Logo


Address and contact details:

Water Jet Sweden AB

Teknikvägen 4

372 38 Ronneby

Sweden

Phone: +46 457 455 440

sales@waterjet.se

www.waterjetsweden.com

Press contact


Water Jet Sweden CMO Klas Wallström
Klas Wallström, CMO
Phone: +46 457 455 430

Klas.wallstrom@waterjet.se

Via social media

About Water Jet Sweden


Our Business Concept

 “Water Jet Sweden develops, manufactures and markets advanced solutions for water jet cutting and provides a quality aftermarket offer with service and parts.”

Our Vision

“We shall be the obvious first choice for customers worldwide who seek solutions in water jet cutting where high quality, high technical content and high service standards are the basic elements.”

A successful pursuit of measurable customer benefits

Back in 1993, we produced our machines in a private garage. Today we serve customers in more than 40 countries. Our native town of Ronneby in southern Sweden has become a R & D cluster of global renown, where the scientific establishment, the water jet industry and the business community join efforts to develop the water jet cutting technology of tomorrow.



Water Jet Sweden Cutting Various Materials
Water Jet Sweden cutting various materials: aluminium, carbon fibre, glass, rubber, stainless steel, stone, and veneer


Water Jet Sweden Cutting Machines

Water Jet Sweden NCM 1010 micro cutting machine & NCT basic 2D cutting machine


Water Jet Sweden Cutting Machines

Water Jet Sweden NC5 40605 3D & NCP 4020 2.5D cutting machines

Water Jet Sweden HQ Ronneby & production plant
WaterJet Sweden HQ Ronneby & production hall

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Water Jet Sweden craftsmanship

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Water Jet Sweden customer relationships

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