Flex Machine Tools FLX-1365

The Flex Machine Tools FLX-1365 is a large-format abrasive waterjet: 156″ of X travel, 78″ of Y and 12″ of Z, with a 50 HP pump rated at 60,000 PSI. Two rows in its table deserve attention before the envelope does, the pump and the water level control.

At a fixed pressure, pump power sets how much water reaches the nozzle. A 50 HP pump at 60,000 PSI can therefore support a larger orifice than a smaller pump at the same pressure, and that is what shortens cutting time in thick plate. The head itself is a fixed conventional cutting head, so the power goes into straight, square-edged cuts.

Water level control with a 4″ rise is listed for this model without an option flag. Raising the water over the work keeps noise and spray down during the cut, and dropping it again leaves the plate clear for loading and for picking parts.

On travel, the FLX-1365 is the long one. The F-1065 has the same 78″ of Y and 12″ of Z with 120″ of X. The FL-1004 is narrower and shallower again at 120″ × 48″ with 10″ of Z. With 156″ of X, long plate goes on in one setup, or two shorter plates can sit end to end.

Motion figures are 0.001 in repeatability, ballbar circularity under 0.003 in and 600 in/min maximum traverse. A 500 lb continuous-fill hopper is standard and a 2500 lb continuous-fill hopper is optional. Control is a 22″ touch screen HMI on a roll-around control with a hand pendant, and power is 3-phase, 480V.