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GRT WATERJET

GRT WaterJet is a new provider of services in the Indianapolis area and is focused on extending the outstanding customer service associated with our other lines of business to this new customer segment. WaterJet machining uses a mixture of water and an abrasive to create a stream to erode a narrow cut in the stock material. The abrasive used is garnet (80 to 120 grit), a compound comprised of one of a variety of minerals mixed with silicon oxide, that is expelled at very high pressure (50,000 pounds per inch²) to make the cut.
The range of items acceptable to using this technique is extremely broad – from carpet to armor plate — the machine is capable of cutting with a precision of +/- 0.003 of an inch. The benefit of using this technique versus a laser is the former does not generate heat from the process like the latter which can deform or leave a rough-cut edge. Ours is a 3-axis machine with a 62” X 120” cutting bed and is manufactured by OMAX, a leader in WaterJet technology. More information and technical specifications may be found at https://www.omax.com.

Examples of the materials suitable for this process are as follows:

• Metals from aluminum to stainless steel to armor plate up to 12” in thickness
• Tile and stone including limestone, granite, and marble
• Plastic & glass can be especially difficult and with the state-of-the-art software we use, any brittle material may be pierced and cut with ease and precision

BENEFITS OF USING A WATERJET

There are many advantages to using a WaterJet for manufacturing products. It is quick, flexible in terms of the type of cut and finish produced, and highly customizable. A “dxf” file forms the basis of the instruction set for the machine set-up and GRT will be happy to take your drawing, PDF, or other file and translate it into the needed format if you do not have this capability.

1. Speed Minimal time is needed between delivery of the material to our shop and itbeing ready for pick-up. The OMAX machine optimizes the processing cycle regardless of the material being cut and lets you install and collect for the finished product without unnecessary delay. Revenue realization is improved.

2. Customization Use of the DFX (or similar) file format allows a virtually limitless
flexibility in terms of what will be cut by the machine. If you can visualize it, we can cut it freeing your design team to be creative and push the boundaries of the finished good’s appearance. It will help set yourself apart from your competition.

3. Materials Given the wide array of materials which may be cut using the WaterJet, there are almost no restrictions on what may be processed. This will allow the benefits of speed and customization to occur where other types of cutting may be out of the question due to the material being processed. We are your single source provider eliminating the need for relationships with multiple companies and simplifying the transaction.

4. Precision With a computer controlled cutting head and accuracy of +/-0.003 inch, even the most demanding of tolerances may be met with this device, eliminating re-work and lost time.

5. Price GRT has adopted a pricing strategy to position ourselves in the market alongside of others offering similar services. Depending on the application, custom arrangements may be tailored to meet your company’s needs and achieve a competitive cost/benefit profile.

SPECIFICATIONS

APPLICATIONS

Glass, Plastic, Metal, Tile and Stone

Tile and Stone present no concerns when cutting or shaping pieces for bathrooms, kitchens, or commercial installations. In addition to a smooth edge, the time to cut these and the degree of accuracy achieved versus using a wet saw is significant. Items may go directly from the WaterJet to the job site with a high confidence factor the measurements provided will be delivered and fit the installation on the first try.

Plastic, Glass and other materials such as carpeting or linoleum present an even shorter turnaround when cut using a WaterJet. Because the tolerances are so tight, unique designs (e.g., logos) may be rendered quickly for use in hospitals, schools, commercial buildings, hotel/motel, or any other development where a signature look will make a statement setting the location apart from other more mundane buildings. The items will arrive in the field ready for installation without time-consuming hand fitting or modification needed before completing the job.

ABOUT GRT

Founded in 1987 by Gregory R. Thompson, GRT Glass Design has been providing custom architectural glass to a variety of customer segments including municipalities, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, high-end residential, and commercial office space since 1987. The product line includes kiln-formed, fused, etched, blown, and cast glass artifacts and each is created after consulting with the end user to meet their conceptual expectations of the finished product.

Our customers are principally located in North America, although the company has shipped glass to locations worldwide. A typical creation cycle begins with consulting with the end user to understand their goals, mocking up several concepts for review, executing upon the selected idea, and installing the finished product on site.

GRT Glass Design has created a broad array of stunning art and architectural glass installations for casinos, hotels, hospitals, spas, museums, restaurants, corporate offices, and educational buildings (K – 12 and universities). The inspiration for starting this company grew out of the founder’s work in restoring and making original stained and leaded glass projects and expanded from this beginning to today’s enterprise.

In late 2018, GRT added a WaterJet machine to complement the glass business affording it an entirely new dimension to shaping and forming finished glass products. It also opened up the opportunity to extend the WaterJet operation to an entirely new customer set whose principal businesses are manufacturing of component and finished products not connected with architectural glass.

GRT also houses a “hot shop” for making blown glass products. This element of the business is more focused on teaching and rental of the equipment associated with glass blowing, serving a public rather than commercial customer base.

Mr. Thompson attended The Ohio State University majoring in architecture and has successfully operated both a hot shop (for blown glass artwork) and a manufacturing operation for over 39 years. More information may be found at the website, http://www.grtglassdesign.com.