Quality service for water jet extends to customer

SMEs considering a machine purchase are inspired by more than just the universal price-quality ratio. Especially since the concept of quality is becoming increasingly broad, with the service that a machine supplier can offer after the sale becoming really crucial. Constructor AFW explains the scope of waterjet builder Resato's technical support.  

It is now eleven years since the Dutch company AFW (Apparaten Fabricage Waalwijk BV) purchased a water cutting machine from Resato. Wim van der Wilk represents the third generation of the family business, which at the time started with the construction of pump islands. He vividly remembers the old days before there was any mention of the waterjet: "Before that, everything was done with scissors, punching machines and press brakes, which made the manufacture of our pieces take many times longer."

Since the company has had the waterjet, it can handle more diverse materials. Which in turn opened a wider horizon to projects. Van der Wilk: "Our company basically specializes in sheet metal working, and more specifically in customer-specific custom work in small series of up to, say, fifty pieces. However, we also regularly cut non-metallic materials such as carbon and fiberglass-reinforced plastics with our water jet."

In addition, AFW also does maintenance and overhaul work, and specific assignments for the LNG sector, such as the construction of specific barges. The SME is also active in other growth markets, such as the hydrogen industry.

All-purpose

Van der Wilk: "That waterjet has brought us so many more possibilities. The flexibility you create with it is unsurpassed; you can really do everything yourself. For example, we now make a whole range of products that we couldn't dream of otherwise. Also, as far as the metalworking part is concerned, we no longer have to outsource any work at all. Everything happens here."

That coin has a flip side, of course, and Van der Wilk knows that too. AFW has become so used to doing so much cutting work on that machine that the company has also become largely dependent on it. A good example is a special type of blade that AFW manufactures. The pieces do not tolerate strong heat input as you would get with laser cutting, and therefore may only be cut with the waterjet. 

Technical backup from Resato

The quality of AFW's own service and response time is thus almost directly related to the availability of the Resato waterjet. This immediately makes the after-sales technical support that Resato is able to offer a crucial factor. Van der Wilk: "We can call Resato at any time; its technical team is competent, flexible and in principle always able to respond within one or two days to any problem." The good relationship of trust with AFW as a customer has also benefited Resato. Both parties frequently exchange technical tricks and other know-how, which prove invaluable within waterjet technology. 

Van der Wilk: "The technique has a relatively high trial-and-error content, especially when experimenting with new materials. The basic parameters provided with the purchase of Resato provide a good starting point, but it is still a matter of finding the ideal settings in terms of sand supply, pressure and cutting speed. You really learn by doing. For example, when you have to cut carbon fiber pieces for the first time, it is quite a challenge. After all, it has to be right from the first time because you can't rework that kind of material."     

Resato can be visited during EuroBLECH in Hall 12, at booth B123.