Supplier of composite components to the Formula One and motor racing industries has expanded its waterjet cutting service by adding a 50HP intensifier to an existing cutting table.

For the highly competitive Formula One and motor racing industries, the delivery of critical components and assemblies on time, every time is absolutely critical. Panther Composites' waterjet cutting division is a major supplier to this market and has now upgraded its waterjet cutting service by adding a new KMT Waterjet Cutting Systems Streamline Classic 50HP intensifier to its existing Powerjet Systems cutting table. This installation is already paying dividends with the company now able to take on more and varied cutting tasks from both the motor racing sector and other general sub-contract engineering customers.

Panther Composites was originally founded by a management team with extensive Formula One engineering experience with the Williams team.

When Paul Bowen joined the company to establish the waterjet cutting services division over two years ago, he too had a wealth of experience in the motor racing sector.

'There is no leeway for lateness on delivery to customers in this sector and the ability to be able to cut a variety of materials is also critical,' he said.

To provide the type of service required, Panther invested in a Powerjet Cutting Systems 3.0m x 1.5m waterjet cutting table.

In the last two years this has provided Panther with excellent service.

For its many different customers involved in motor racing, Panther uses the abrasive waterjet cutting process to cut materials as tough and varied as aluminium, titanium, Inconel, tungsten as well as rubber components.

'There is no material that our customers need that we cannot cut,' said Bowen.

The decision to invest in 2005 in a new KMT Waterjet Systems Streamline Classic 50HP intensifier and Abrasive Management System to use alongside the Powerjet Systems cutting table was made in order to give the company even greater opportunities to provide services both to the motor racing and general engineering sub-contract services sector.

'We now have a world class waterjet cutting facility, combining the Powerjet table with the KMT intensifier,' said Bowen.

The investment has given Panther Composites the ability to take on extra work with confidence, including the cutting of heavier materials.

The company's customer base now also includes building industry clients where the ability to cut ceramics and stone with high accuracy is important.

The 37kW Classic pump has represented a highly cost-effective investment for Panther and includes advanced features such as Soft Start which can give up to 20% energy savings when the pump is first switched on.

The Hard Seal End Cap topwork design reduces both consumable costs and downtime.

The AMS I Abrasive Management System is helping to automate the cutting process.

It starts with the Abraline III abrasive transfer system that monitors abrasive availability and ensures sufficient quantities throughout the cutting process.

The Feedline III abrasive metering system accurately controls the flow rate of abrasive to the Autoline abrasive cutting head which gives a consistently high quality of cut.

Off-line programming for cutting any components helps to speed Panther's production process with cutting programmes downloaded directly to the Powerjet Systems cutting table.

Bowen concluded, 'There is no question that the waterjet cutting process is highly versatile and has opened the door to new customers for Panther Composites.

The KMT installation is proving highly reliable and efficient.

In combination with the Powerjet Systems cutting table, it is allowing us to give out customers a first class sub-contract service.'