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August 2013

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Recycling Cuts Costs



"WARDJet, Inc., an innovator in abrasive recycling technology, is continually improving and perfecting its patented process of recycling used waterjet abrasive. As a result of recent design enhancements, abrasive recycling is now possible for all waterjet companies and is more affordable than ever. Abrasive cost per part can be drastically reduced with this standalone system," said a company spokesperson.

"In previous years, waterjet abrasive recycling was found to be most successful for companies using large volumes of abrasive who could recoup their investment in a short period of time. With recent advancements to the WARD Pro system, this money-saving process can be used by waterjet companies of all sizes. The latest WARD Pro has a new design that is more efficient, requires less maintenance and extends the life of consumables," said the spokesperson.

For instance, a typical waterjet cutting company may use around 45,000 pounds of new abrasive each month to operate its machine. With the cost of standard 80 mesh crushed abrasive at $0.25 a pound, this company spends approximately $11,250 a month on abrasive before even operating its waterjet. "Running the WARD Pro at 50% abrasive recovery, it could lower this cost to $6,300 a month by supplementing 50% of its abrasive with recycled abrasive. It will also be saving money on the labor required to dig out its tank and the loss of profit experienced while waterjet productivity is put on hold. Current estimates suggest this company would save nearly $5,150 a month by incorporating the WARD Pro abrasive recycling system, and it would see the return on investment in only 14 months," said the spokesperson.

Every waterjet company has sludge abrasive that is collected and then often thrown away. Typically, at least half of this sludge is recoverable as usable abrasive. The WARD Pro takes this sludge from the tank in a controlled manner and after separating only the good, reusable abrasive, dries it. The resulting dry abrasive is mechanically transported into bags or a bulk feed hopper for immediate reuse in just three minutes. "Recycled abrasive has been proven to cut at the same speed with the same abrasive flow rate as new. Who hasn't heard the cry to 'Go Green'? With the WARD Pro, the volume of abrasive going to a landfill can be significantly reduced," said the spokesperson.

WARDJet first developed and patented a waterjet abrasive recycling system over 10 years ago (the WARD = Waterjet Abrasive Recycling Dispenser). Any company that already has the WARDJet AROS (Abrasive Removal Only System) is already on its way to recycling as this is one modular portion of the WARD Pro.

One company has purchased five recyclers to use at each of its locations and reports that recycling abrasive is one of the main reasons they have made a profit and been able to expand their capabilities.

For more information contact:

WARDJet

PO Box 517

Tallmadge, OH 44278

330-677-9100

sales@wardjet.com

www.wardjet.com

www.wardjet.com/wardpro.html

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