Continuous cutting process

At the beginning of the 20th century, a process that was based on “press water with abrasive addition” and used for grinding as well as drilling of teeth was patented for the first time. More than two decades ago, ANT AG revolutionised the waterjet technology with the Water Abrasive Suspension Cutting (WAS) process and has continuously developed it further. With ConSus®, we are now taking abrasive waterjet cutting to a new level.

What is ConSus® and what makes it so special?

ConSus® stands for Continuous Suspension. This unique ANT patented water abrasive suspension jet system uses a sluice process to continuously feed abrasive into a high pressure vessel through an intermediate vessel, without adding air. Until now, WAS technology has only been available discontinuously.

What is the advantage of continuous cutting processes?

Up to now, the cutting process had to be interrupted as soon as the abrasive in the high-pressure vessel was used up. To do this, the system is shut down and brought to ambient pressure so that the container can be refilled with abrasive (garnet sand), resulting in longer downtimes. ConSus® offers the efficient and constant solution, as garnet sand can be refilled both wet and dry even during operation.

How does the continuous cutting process work?

Water at 1500 bar is supplied by means of a high-pressure pump. In WAS systems, part of the pressurised water flows through a bypass valve into the high-pressure vessel (AMU), where water and abrasive form a suspension.

In ConSus®, the level of the high-pressure vessel is monitored. If the level drops, abrasive suspension is added via a valve from the intermediate tank. When the intermediate vessel is empty, the valve and the high-pressure water supply line are closed and the intermediate vessel is depressurised.

Now, a ball valve is opened and the “refill” suspension flows through a hopper into the intermediate container without air. After the ball valve has been closed, it is again subjected to high pressure so that suspension can be supplied again when the filling level in the high-pressure vessel is low. In this pressure vessel, water and abrasive suspension are mixed again. The water flushes the garnet sand out of the high-pressure vessel. Via a high-pressure hose, the suspension is directed to the cutting nozzle and forced through it. The potential energy of the pressure is converted in the nozzle into a cutting jet that emerges at almost twice the speed of sound.

Where is ConSus® suitable for use?

The system is primarily used stationary in the processing industry as well as in contract manufacturing. Whether special materials with enormous material thickness and special properties, ceramic and glass types, high-performance metal alloys or modern composite materials and plastics – ConSus® has almost no limits in separation.

Where can I get more information?

ConSus – ANT Stationary Cutting Solutions GmbH, as part of the ANT Group, is specifically dedicated to the requirements in this field. Detailed information is available on the website www.consus-gmbh.com.

ConSus® explained shortly:

1. Generate pressure
Water is supplied with a high-pressure pump of up to 1500 bar.
2. Suspension
A suspension is generated from water and abrasive sand in the high-pressure vessel.
3. Level monitoring
Abrasive is refilled from the intermediate container into the high-pressure container at the same pressure ratio.
4. Pressure is converted into speed
The suspension is forced through the nozzle and transformed into a cutting jet.
Continuous cutting process