May 20, 2012
Training Trip – Day 1
On Sunday, January 22nd, Will and I saddled up our trusty Southwest Airlines 737 and headed off to Sea-Tac airport. We got a nice complimentary upgrade from the economy class to a Fusion from the great customer service staff at the Dollar car rental center. Getting through the sales pitch upsell dance at the airport was another story.
At this point, we (actually just me) were in a hurry to get somewhere with a TV, as the Ravens/Patriots playoff game was on. We found the game on AM radio on our short trip to the Best Western Plus Plaza by the Green in Kent, Washington, and to my satisfaction the game was close, nearing half-time. We got the hotel in about ten minutes, got checked in, and found a place to hunker down.
Anyways, as the day wore on the Ravens lost, Will and I headed to Pikes Place Market in downtown Seattle, and I was able to introduce Will to the pleasure of crabs (the food, ahem) for the first time in his life. We had a triple header of crab – Dungeness, Snow and Alaskan King, at the (apparently) famous Tom Douglas restaurant, Seatown Seabar & Rotisserie. They had a great staff and Will’s favorite was the Dungeness.
So, our travel day adventure coming to a close, we headed back to Kent for a night’s rest prior to our first day at class at Flow International’s world HQ in Kent, Washington. More to come about Day 1 of training…
What’s the difference between Plasma and Waterjet Cutting?
One question we get asked a lot is why waterjet cutting is better than plasma cutting. The differences are relatively few, but very important. Essentially, the differences allow fewer processing steps toward the end production of whatever product you are making, and maintain a better state of the materials.
Plasma Cutters use compressed gas combined with an electrical spark to create an arc of very high-temperature plasma, up to 45,000° F, to cut its way through solid materials. Due to its high temperature, plasma cutting has an inherently negative side affect on the materials it is cutting, creating a Heat Affected Zone or HAZ. The materials in the HAZ typically experience changes in its properties relative to strength, hardness, and impacts things such as its ability to hold a weld. Additionally, after plasma cutting, there is more processing work needed to fix the rough unfinished edges and discoloration left behind by the plasma cutter.
Waterjet Cutters provide for a smooth finished or nearly-finished surface, allow for the cutting of intricate designs, do not leave behind a Heat Affected Zone, and can cut thicker materials.
Get in touch with us today to let us know how we can help you!
Recent Posts
Element Group Manufacturing Services
We are a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). We have over twenty-five years of...
Recent Posts
Recent Posts
Element Group Manufacturing Services
We are a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). We have over twenty-five years of...
Training Trip – Day 1
On Sunday, January 22nd, Will and I saddled up our trusty Southwest Airlines 737 and...
Training completed!
Well, two of us from Element went to Kent, Washington last week to the Flow...
What’s the difference between Plasma and Waterjet Cutting?
One question we get asked a lot is why waterjet cutting is better than plasma...
Waterjet Education
We have assembled information about waterjets (aka water jets or hydro cutters) so that you...
Recent Posts
Recent Posts
Element Group Manufacturing Services
We are a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). We have over twenty-five years of...
Training Trip – Day 1
On Sunday, January 22nd, Will and I saddled up our trusty Southwest Airlines 737 and...
Training completed!
Well, two of us from Element went to Kent, Washington last week to the Flow...
What’s the difference between Plasma and Waterjet Cutting?
One question we get asked a lot is why waterjet cutting is better than plasma...
Waterjet Education
We have assembled information about waterjets (aka water jets or hydro cutters) so that you...