SHOWROOM

Flow International Corporation



Phone: 253-850-3500
Toll-Free: 800-446-3569
Fax: 253-813-3307

Please visit: Flow International Corporation

Mailing Address:
23500 64th Ave. S
Kent, WA 98032 US


A Special Message from Flow International Corporation

Flow Waterjet in Action

INNOVATION | EXPERTISE | COMMITMENT

Waterjet is the world’s most versatile machining process, and is used in countless industries. In many instances, waterjet has replaced more traditional processes because it does the job faster, better, or more efficiently. The benefits of waterjet are many: · Cuts any material, in any thickness, including metal, stone, tile, plastic, foam, rubber, composites, food, and paper · Minimal set up and fixturing · No heat-affected zone; allows tight nesting · Dynamic Waterjet™ by FLOW produces more precise parts than conventional waterjet and cuts up to 25-400% faster · Easy to use; FlowMaster® software requires only very basic Windows® PC knowledge Flow International Corporation is the world leader in waterjet technology and manufacturing, and a total systems supplier. Waterjet is our core business and we are committed to providing the highest quality products and highest level of service to our customers, including in-house technical support and customer service, available 24/7.

Company Profile


Acclaimed for its power, speed, and versatility, ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) waterjet technology has experienced a steady surge in popularity across many industries. UHP waterjet systems cut quickly and accurately through virtually all materials from food and paper products to composites, steel, and exotic metals.
As with most technologies, a waterjet system is only as good as its provider. To achieve the best results for your business, you need the highest quality system from a reliable manufacturer, one you can trust to provide dependable support and service. That’s why customers worldwide trust their business to Flow. Flow is recognized as the world leader in the development and manufacture of waterjet technology. In fact, we’ve delivered over 8,500 Flow waterjet systems to customers in 45 countries around the world, more than all other suppliers combined. One reason we are recognized as the leader is that we have introduced  every major waterjet innovation since our founding in the mid 1970’s. More importantly, it’s because customers know they can count on us. They know we deliver the most technologically advanced systems available and back up every system we sell with the most extensive customer support network in the industry. At Flow, we pride ourselves on being first in everything we do. Flow Firsts:
  • First founded in 1974.
  • First to invent the abrasive waterjet in 1979 with a team led by Dr. Mohamed Hashish (Patent Number 4,648,215 granted in 1985).
  • First to introduce abrasive waterjet cutting of composites and exotic metals to the aerospace industry in the mid 1980s.
  • First to introduce the most efficient abrasive waterjet system - PASER® 3 – designed to provide optimal abrasive usage and the fastest possible cut speeds with the lowest cost per inch. First to introduce an intensifier with ceramic plungers – the ESL Intensifier – to double seal life and increase waterjet reliability for our customers.
  • First and only Total Systems Solutions provider: we design, build and support all the critical components of our waterjet systems.
  • First to provide a full range of machines from small, fully-enclosed waterjets to multi-axes systems large enough to machine aircraft wings.
  • First to introduce Windows®-based intelligent waterjet programming and control software  – FlowMaster® - to the industry.
  • First to introduce intensifier pumps operating at 60,000 psi.
  • First to develop the state-of-the-art WMC™, a completely modular and expandable abrasive waterjet system with a 60,000 psi operating pressure pump for highly productive waterjet cutting.
  • First to introduce ultrahigh-pressure direct drive pumps—achieving 50,000 psi by 1997 and 55,000 psi in 2000.
  • First to introduce the 87,000 psi intensifier pump, enabling our customers to operate the industry’s most competitive waterjet systems.
  • First to reach operating pressures of 100,000 psi – expanding our core competency in ultrahigh-pressure technology with hyper-pressure pumps that enable partner companies to make foods safer and waterjet cutting even more productive.

Product Categories of Flow International Corporation

  • Waterjet Cutting Machines

Trade Names

  • Dynamic Waterjet XD®
  • Dynamic Waterjet®
  • FlowMaster®
  • HyperPressure™
  • Integrated Flying Bridge
  • Mach Series
  • PASER® ECL Plus
  • Waterjet Machining Center®


Logo

Deep Links

Flow Waterjet Applications - Waterjet technology is both simple and extremely complex.

Flow Waterjet Products - Flow is the world leader in the development and manufacture of ultrahigh-pressure waterjet and abrasive waterjet cutting and machining technology for advanced industrial and manufacturing applications.

Flow 87,000 psi HyperPressure Technology - At 87,000 psi the waterjet velocity increases beyond Mach 3 - creating a faster, more powerful cutting tool for any material.

As seen in MMS

A Technology Sampling from FABTECH 2012
Here are a few technologies spotted at the 2012 edition of Fabtech, the annual metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event.

There’s More Than One Way to Carve a Pumpkin
Flow International shows off an unusual way to create a Halloween jack-o-lantern.

Waterjet Technology Increases Performance Standards
Flow International will display the Mach 4, Mach 3 and Mach 2 waterjet technology at IMTS 2012.

Waterjet Provides Accuracy, Cuts Variety of Materials
Flow International Corporation’s Mach series waterjet cutting system are said to be well-suited for a variety of industries.

Waterjet System Can Expand to Meet Business Growth
Flow International's Mach 4c waterjet is designed to optimize the production environment and the Mach 2b is designed to provide value.

Waterjet Offers Economical Cutting
Flow International says its Mach 2c is a “value-priced” waterjet designed to be fast and accurate, whether cutting a 3"-thick steel plate or multi-stacked gasket material.

Waterjet Features Expandable Modular Design
The latest addition to the Mach 4 line of waterjets features an expandable modular design, ranging to 14 m (48 ft.) long.

Waterjet Taper Control, Pump Speed Part Production
Equipped with a high-pressure pump and articulating cutting head, a waterjet from Flow International has enabled this job shop to produce parts faster and more cost-effectively.

3D Waterjet Cutting Technology
The Mach 4 cutting system combines a HyperJet pump, rated at 94,000 psi, with Dynamic Waterjet XD, a high-precision flat stock and 3D waterjet cutting technology.

Robotic Waterjet and Saw Solution for Countertops
Flow’s Mach 4r is a combination robotic waterjet and saw cutting system designed to optimize countertop cutting and improve operator efficiency.

Water Conservation in Waterjet Machining
This job shop’s water reclamation system also extends the life of waterjet machine hardware.

Fast-Cutting Waterjet Technology
Featuring Flow’s Dynamic Waterjet XD technology, the Mach 4 waterjet enables users to cut virtually any shape, including bevels and other 3D geometry, with more precision.

Waterjet, Robot Manufacturers Announce Partnership
Flow International (Kent, Washington) and Kuka Robot Group (Clinton Township, Michigan) say a new alliance between the companies will benefit customers by combining Flow’s abrasive waterjet machining expertise with Kuka’s expertise in precise robotic manipulation. “The alliance helps ensure that we address the important production and advanced segments of our marketplace,” says Charley Brown, president and CEO of Flow. “This expands our process and robotic applications.”

Waterjets Improve Accuracy, Cycle Time
The Mach 4 is said to improve part cycle time and accuracy.

Waterjets Combine Power, Accuracy with Ease of Use
The company is conducting live demonstrations of waterjets featuring its high-powered pump and advanced motion system.

Waterjets Increase Pressure On The Competition
Featuring high-pressure pumps and Dynamic Cutting technology, waterjets from Flow International help this shop maintain its competitive edge.

Waterjet Technology Features 3D Capabilities
 Flow says its Dynamic Waterjet XD features 3D waterjet cutting technology that uses SmartStream technology for higher accuracy and faster cutting.

Waterjet Product Line Features Range Of Pressures
Featuring ultra-high pressure (UHP) waterjet technology, Flow’s versatile Mach series machines are designed for manufacturers of all sizes and budgets, the company says. The line combines software upgrades, pressures rated to 94,000 psi, 3D Dynamic Waterjet cutting advancements and long-life intensifier and direct-drive pumps.

High-Pressure Pump Provides Automatic Pressure Control
Flow International has released the HyPlex Hybrid Pump, which is rated at 60,000 psi for high speed waterjet cutting. Featuring custom PAC-V technology, the pump provides automatic pressure control.

Flow, Omax Settle Patent Litigation
Waterjet manufacturers Omax and Flow International recently announced that patent litigation between the two companies has been settled and that there will be no merger between the companies. Additionally, a cross-licensing agreement has been reached for the patents involved in the litigation.

Next Generation Cutting Head
 According to the manufacturer, Flow International, the Paser 4 system is an efficient, integrated abrasive waterjet cutting system that is capable of unattended operation. The machine will either shut itself down or notify users in the case of abrasive waterjet failure. A redesigned cutting head features a mixing chamber for efficient abrasive entrainment and extended orifice life.

Machining At Mach 3
Airbus invested in abrasive waterjet for machining CFRP components. Here is why.

Flow Acquires Stake In Chinese Waterjet Builder
Waterjet manufacturer Flow International has completed a $2 million purchase of a minority ownership position in Dardi International Corporation, China’s leading waterjet manufacturer. Privately held Dardi is the largest-volume waterjet producer in Asia and has three factories located near Nanjing. Flow announced its intent to purchase the minority position in November after introducing Dardi as the new supplier of its economy segment product line.

Waterjet Manufacturer Plans New Facility
 Flow International has announced plans to establish a single facility for designing and building its waterjet systems, which include large systems for aerospace applications as well as robotic waterjet cutting cells. The Advanced Waterjet Systems Center will be an expansion of the company's existing facility in Je

How To Machine Composites, Part 5 -- Waterjet Cutting Of Composites
For trimming composite parts, this shop describes where it uses machining centers and where it uses waterjet.

Abrasive Waterjet Helps Make Composites Affordable for Boeing
Boeing overcame fixture costs and other challenges of machining large composite parts by opting for waterjet instead of milling.

Flow, Omax Merger Clears FTC Hurdle
 Waterjet manufacturer Flow International announced that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accepted a consent decree that will permit the merger of Flow and Omax Corporation, also a manufacturer of abrasive waterjets. According to Flow CEO Charley Brown, the transaction is expected to close during the com

HyperPressure Cutting Increases WaterJet Production

Waterjet Machining Center Cuts At 87,000 PSI

Waterjet Control System Includes Database Of Cutting Parameters

Compliant Machining Of Composite Wings
Bell Helicopter created a systematic, scripted process to machine composite wing skins and structural components for the V-22 Osprey vertical takeoff aircraft. Custom software ensures there is no deviation from the script.

Waterjet Control System Upgrade

Waterjet Cutting Tables

Waterjet Machining Center

Flange Cutting Challenges Overcome With New Waterjet Technology
One challenging application for this Ontario manufacturer has been cutting flanges. Previously, their customers had plasma-cut 1/2 -inch Hastalloy. However, plasma left a heat-affected zone that could be a problem when welding the flanges.

Start With Waterjet For More Effective Milling
For aircraft components machined out of plate stock, this shop roughs with abrasive waterjet before finishing with conventional milling. Removing roughing from the machining center cuts cost and lead time.

Waterjet Cutting Without Abrasives
Soon, industrial users of waterjet metalcutting may be able to cut sheet metal, composites and other materials without abrasives -- or at least with much less abrasive than they're accustomed to using.

Milling With Waterjet
Machine with abrasive waterjet and control the depth of cut. For the right parts, this fledgling process may offer a compelling alternative.

Abrasive Waterjet Machine For Job Shops
Cutting metal and other materials with a high-pressure stream of water and abrasive grit generally has been the domain of specialty shops dedicated to this process or large plants with special needs—and deep pockets.A new abrasive waterjet machine from Flow International Corp. (Kent, Washington) makes this process as attainable as, let's say, wire EDM, or almost any other mainstream metalworking process.

Close Tolerance Manufacturer Finds The Right Cam System
When Ray and John Connelly's father, Leroy, founded Connelly Machine Works fifty years ago, he probably never envisioned using water to machine parts. Today, the Connellys have discovered how to reduce the time and cost of traditional machining using an abrasive waterjet.

Videos

  • Waterjet Cutting a Titanium Golf Club

    Here is a different way to think about the slice in your golf game. This footage comes from a Web site exploring the lighter side of waterjet machining.