The University of Sunderland’s Glass & Ceramics Department, based at the spectacular National Glass Centre, has taken delivery of a waterjet cutting machine (pictured) to enable artists and small companies to produce an unlimited range of profiles in glass or any other material required.

The National Glass Centre, housed in an award winning £15 million all glass building, is dedicated to the development and promotion of excellence in the art and industry of glass. EC funding (single programme & ERDF) allowed the University to invest in the waterjet machine to benefit self-employed artists and SMEs.

The new Waterjet Sweden machine is powered by a KMT Waterjet Systems 30hp pump that provides a continuous operating pressure of 3800 bar/ 55,000 psi to allow an infinite range of materials to be cut with extreme precision without either distortion or heat affected zones. Waterjet Sweden has offices in the UK at Boston Spa near Wetherby.

Three technicians have been fully trained by the manufacturer to program and operate the machine, to turn artistic designs into reality. In addition, Vanessa Cutler, freelance artist and part-time PhD researcher, is currently using the machine to research and develop her products.

Source

Glass Age