Refrigeration Industries

Middle East: more than 400 waterjet installations

“There are more than 400 installations that Waterjet can currently boast in the Middle Eastern market, and we are proud of each one. The collaboration with Refrigeration Industries makes me particularly proud, because penetrating new application sectors confirms the high versatility potential of the waterjet technology. One of the key points of our business” This is the comment of Mr Massimo Russo, engineer, Vice President of Waterjet Corporation. On the Middle Eastern market, Waterjet has achieved a share which exceeds 40%: we are almost at complete saturation levels, especially in the architecture and building sectors. Exploring new application sectors is therefore highly strategic.

Refrigeration Industries is a manufacturer of air conditioning and insulation solutions based in Kuwait, recognised on the Middle Eastern market for its deep-rooted engineering and management skills.

The subject of this prestigious contract is the sale and installation of two 3-axis Waterjet WATERLINE 520 machines with 30 Hp. pump, equipped with a 1500×6000 mm work surface, for cutting glass wool panels for the thermal systems insulation sector. The goal that the customer set with this investment is the exponential increase in productivity, based on a radical increase in requests.

The first step was to shift to automating the process: moving from a manual cut – which took place thanks to dies, moulds, templates – to an automatic cut which allowed speeding up the manufacturing diversification, making it more flexible. Moving from one shape to another, in fact, no longer implied the construction of a new model, a new die, but simply adding new CAD measurements to the cutting program.

Still within the context of a greater productivity, the spacious work surface allows placing two panels in production at the same time. In addition, the high cutting speed – 35 metres/minute – combined with the reduction of production costs allows the customer to respond to demand quickly and very competitively.

The reduction of production costs is strictly connected to the fact that cutting these panels no longer requires using an abrasive material; this therefore also avoids disposal costs and, in the long term, stresses the machine components less, thus reducing wear costs. In addition to cost reduction, the internalisation of this type of processing, which was previously entrusted to third party partners, enables a constant control over quality, timely deliveries and live production costs.

A fundamental role in the success of the operation was played by the co-presence at the Big 5 in November 2019, the fair in which Waterjet was able to showcase its standing as a technological leader, additionally demonstrating great reliability, which is also ensured by the exclusive Middle East dealership in Dubai, Waterjet Middle East, which provides local installation, education, assistance and support services.