Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) has installed a Jet Edge precision waterjet cutting system at its fabrication shop and plans to use it to cut parts for its three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and NASCAR Nationwide Series team
“All of us at Jet Edge are very excited about our new partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing,” said Jet Edge president Jude Lague. “We are very proud that MWR chose Jet Edge to meet their precision waterjet cutting needs. It is quite an honor to know that our system will be used in building a winning NASCAR team.”
MWR started out as a modest NASCAR Nationwide Series team, and entered the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2004. Last year, MWR made NASCAR history when it became one of three full-time operations to debut the Toyota Camry in the Sprint Cup Series. Toyota’s backing made it possible for Waltrip to build a 140,000 sq ft shop to house his multicar Toyota Camry teams.
With construction of its new fabrication shop completed, MWR has begun increasing its in-house manufacturing capabilities, explained Dr. Eric Warren, MWR’s vice president and technical director. One of its first steps was to acquire waterjet-cutting capabilities that have become essential to NASCAR teams as they race to fabricate parts under extremely tight deadlines.
Selecting the Right System
MWR selected Jet Edge’s 4 x 8 ft High Rail Gantry waterjet system to meet its waterjet cutting needs. Powered by a 50 hp, 60,000 psi iP60-50 intensifier pump, the fully 3-axis programmable system has dual Permalign II abrasive cutting heads on a 4 ft spreader bar that are capable of cutting complex parts out of virtually any material. The system is equipped with a digital readout for multihead positioning that digitally displays cutting head positions, eliminating manual measurement, as well as a pneumatic drill for automatic pre-piercing of materials prone to delamination prior to cutting them with waterjet. It also includes SigmaNEST CAD/CAM nesting software developed by SigmaTEK Systems LLC, plus a closed loop filtration system and abrasive removal system manufactured by Ebbco Inc, and a bulk abrasive storage system manufactured by GMA Garnet.
“As we scale up our manufacturing capabilities, the Jet Edge waterjet system is a vital piece of manufacturing equipment that is extremely useful to our company,” Warren said. “Before having the Jet Edge waterjet system to cut our parts, we were outsourcing and that was costing us a lot of time and money. Having the Jet Edge waterjet system in-house helps us from a financial standpoint and it also expedites the process in turning our parts around, which makes it a must-have technology. I think more major race teams will end up adding the Jet Edge waterjet system to their operation.”
MWR builds about 14 cars per team each year (approximately 56 total for four teams), which includes the three full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and the NASCAR Nationwide Series team.
“Seventy-five percent of the car is manufactured in-house and 20% of those parts will be cut with the Jet Edge waterjet,” Warren noted. “Some of the items that Michael Waltrip Racing will cut with the Jet Edge waterjet system include chassis parts, duct work, crush panels, windows, support boards and foam to name a few.”
“When we decided to add the waterjet process to our machining capabilities, everyone at MWR agreed that it was of utmost importance to bring in the most accurate, dependable system available,” Waltrip said. “That’s why we chose Jet Edge. In our business, time is our most precious commodity so ease of maintenance was also a critical requirement. The Jet Edge system satisfied all these requirements and reinforced them with a well-staffed service and support team. MWR is proud of its technical partnership with Jet Edge. Their precision systems will enable us to perform to a higher standard as we race forward.”
Precision Is Critical
Warren said he was impressed with Jet Edge’s accuracy and repeatability.
“The Jet Edge waterjet system is widely known for extremely accurate cuts with a high degree of repeatability over a wide range of materials,” Warren said. “And in our business, that is exactly what we need because we have various materials we need cut for our NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series cars. It is crucial for our waterjet system to be precise, accurate and dependable. Higher quality parts will ultimately lead to improved performance.”
Warren noted that Jet Edge’s 24/7 service also is important given MWR’s demanding schedule.
“Michael Waltrip Racing is a 24/7 performance-based company,” he said. “If something goes down in the middle of the night, we need instant response and that is something that Jet Edge can provide. Service technicians are available 24/7, 365 days a year and that was a critical factor as to why we added the Jet Edge waterjet system.”
MWR already has put their Jet Edge system to work making horizontal splitter panels now required by NASCAR to provide front down force. They made their first panel in less than 13 minutes, including waterjet cutting and milling time.
“It didn’t take me long to learn the system,” said Jeremy Vanderleest, MWR waterjet operator. “The Jet Edge waterjet system is precise, easy to use and we can cut almost anything with it. There is also the repeatability factor, which is extremely important to us. The machine allows us to cut under water, which cuts down on noise and allows for a clean atmosphere.”