Photo By Tech. Sgt. Sara Kolinski | Senior Airman Bryce Parson and Senior Airman Kostandinos Stavridis, 104th Fighter Wing...... read more read more
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The 104th Fighter Aircraft Metals Technology shop recently gained a new addition to the wing’s resources, the OMEX 55100 Abrasive Water Jet, redefining the way Barnes Air National Guard Base approaches manufacturing, maintenance, and support.
“The OMEX 55100 Abrasive Water Jet is a universal cutting machine,” said Master Sgt. Travis Miller, 104 FW Aircraft Metals Technology supervisor.“ It has 55,000psi max pressure, and the water comes out at Mach 3 speeds. You can cut pretty much anything that will fit underneath the tip.”
This powerful equipment opens new avenues for efficiency and precision. After installation just five days ago, it has already ushered a wave of improvements.
“We never had the capability of cutting any large, thick material,” said Miller. “We had to manually cut it. Now, we’ll be able to load a 4x8 sheet of 1-inch, 2-inch, 3-inch material and be able to cut it simultaneously in one stroke.”
One of the machine’s significant advantages is its command-and-control capability, allowing increased precision and items tailored to the needs of the customers, said Miller.
As the 104 FW prepares for the arrival of the F-35A Lighting II, the OMEX 55100 becomes even more crucial.
“We’ll be able to cut plastics, ceramics, plexiglass, and other materials with this thing,” said Miller. “We’ll be able to create fixtures, and tooling for maintenance on the F-35 such as wrenches and specialty tools, allowing us not to have to go to the outside to buy them. We can make them right here and modify them to whatever thickness fits the end user properly.”
Although the benefits for the 104 FW are immense, Miller said he sees a broader mission for 104 FW Aircraft Metals Technology, envisioning it as the cornerstone for the entire state of Massachusetts.
“With our 3-D printers, we’re already working with higher headquarters and working with the Army,” said Miller “I’d like to bring this in to do the same thing. If the Army needs us to cut something for them or the higher headquarters needs us to do something for them, we’ll have the capabilities here at Barnes to do it, giving us a wider mission, and giving us the ability to help all entities.”
| Date Taken: | 10.18.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 10.24.2023 10:14 |
| Story ID: | 456086 |
| Location: | MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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