The CNC machine is a Marmoelettromeccanica Robotop, purchased from Regent Stone Products of Virginia Beach, VA. The CNC machine runs on four axes, and it has an automatic tool changer with 25 positions. It can cut, polish, contour, grind, drill, engrave and do complete edge work, among other functions. Musolino explained that the waterjet is particularly adept at edges and bowl cutouts, and it can execute a sink cutout to a tolerance of 1â„64 inch. The machine is in operation every day, doing at least one job and often two.
Another cutting edge piece of technology is the HammerHead Waterjet from Calypso Waterjet Systems, Inc. of Dallas, TX. This machine operates with a 30-horsepower intensifier pump, with 60,000 psi operating pressure. The waterjet is used for complex cuts, such as radiused countertop pieces, and it can operate with minimal supervision, said Musolino, who added that it also does not create any dust within the shop, making for a better work environment.
CAD/CAM software is used to program the machinery, and the workers simply enter the model number of a particular sink, for example, and they will already have the exact parameters for the computer. The company hired a programmer with previous computer skills, and he was trained on the specific machinery by Regent and Calypso. Also looking toward new technology, the programmer is also working with the Stealth digitizer from BVH-Gregg for electronic templating.