A discussion came up here at work today (again) about waterjets in general
and pumps specifically.
We're curious as to what fails in the older hydraulic pumps.

Also, cranshaft pumps are gaining popularity. Here's a photo of one
http://www.flowcorp.com/waterjet-resources.cfm?id=340

Does anyone have any idea of the bore/stroke of one of these units?

Jon wrote:
A discussion came up here at work today (again) about waterjets in general
and pumps specifically.
We're curious as to what fails in the older hydraulic pumps.

Also, cranshaft pumps are gaining popularity. Here's a photo of one
http://www.flowcorp.com/waterjet-resources.cfm?id=340

Does anyone have any idea of the bore/stroke of one of these units?



The bore is fairly small, the stroke is maybe about 1/4 - 1/2" I
think. What wears out are the seals, and then you replace the
entire pumping assembly. They showed us the kit, it was a bunch
of green things that looked like plastic, but may have been a
ceramic material. I think what we were looking at was the
cylinder, and the piston is pre-fitted inside. It is basically
a drop-in cartridge, and they told us it usually took longer to
get stuff cleared away from the back of the machine than to
actually change the cartridges. Most of their pumps have 3
cylinders, so the kit would have 3 cartridges. I don't recall
the price of the kit, but it was under $1000, and you were
supposed to get at least a few hundred hours of actual cutting
per set, varying somewhat depending on pressure and flow rate.

Jon

"Jon" wrote:

A discussion came up here at work today (again) about waterjets in general
and pumps specifically.
We're curious as to what fails in the older hydraulic pumps.

Also, cranshaft pumps are gaining popularity. Here's a photo of one
http://www.flowcorp.com/waterjet-resources.cfm?id=340

Does anyone have any idea of the bore/stroke of one of these units?



The only intensifiers I worked with were IR Streamlines. Intensification
ratio was 41:1 . Water side piston was a solid carbide rod ~1" in diameter.
Stroke was 6" or so. Shaft seals and check valves failed most often.

Unlike low pressure hydraulics, there is no such thing as a minor leak with
an intensifier. If you find a leak. Fix it now because it will cost you
more later.

Wes