FRAGILE STONE? NO PROBLEMAtlanta Tile & Stone chose to fabricate the floor from honed limestone and polished marble. The brittle characteristics of some of these materials can make them difficult to cut with traditional machine tools, as machinery used to cut them must exert a minimum level of mechanical stress in order to avoid shattering the pieces. But since waterjet cutting exerts less than five pounds of force on the work piece, the Flow water jet was able to cut intricate shapes without damaging the material's structural integrity. It eliminated possible fracturing of the fragile limestone and marble pieces during the project. Waterjet cutting also left a smooth, finished edge that required little or no secondary finishing. As a result, Jet Stream was able to reduce the cost and time required for product development. Surbeck assisted Atlanta Tile & Stone in modifying the final floor design from field measurements of the entry way performed by the distributor. Jet Stream used this data to size the pattern, ensuring a precision fit. Jet Stream translated field templates of the entryway's curved stair area into its computer and then customized the floor scroll border to parallel the staircase floor plan. Once the various border configurations were loaded into the CAD system, the computer-integrated water jet cut the limestone and marble to the design's precise specifications. SEEING IS BELIEVINGAbout two years ago, Aalto was introduced to Keith Youngquist of Aumiller Youngquist PC, one of the most progressive and successful hospitality architectural firms in the world. Youngquist's firm had designed restaurants all over the place, many of which had amazing designs where tile, stone, glass mosaics, terrazzo, wood and other materials were combined. When Aalto introduced him to the |
water jet concept, he said he was amazed that Youngquist had no idea of its vast capabilities. Now, after just two years have elapsed, Aumiller Youngquist PC is utilizing water jet work on floors, walls and on furniture. (This summer in Chicago, Widow Newton's restaurant will debut with some of the most beautiful waterjet-cut stone dining tables imaginable). "He is a believer," says Aalto. And so are some of the most high-profile companies and institutions in this country, including Disney, Hilton, Florsheim, Merrill Lynch, Denver's new Airport (the waterjet-cut stone map of the world stands as the very model of a successful and beautiful water jet installation) and others. THE FUTURE"I see the market becoming more competitive in the future. There are several companies entering the market, which is good for the end-user. This will help keep prices down and continue to make this kind of work more affordable,” says Ward. "We are constantly faced with clients who, prior to coming to us, have given this kind of work a shot only to be left wary of doing it again due to bad experiences. It is vital that the water jet contractor selected be experienced in working stone and tile to minimize risk of a mishap. Just crating the work is as important an art as doing the work itself. Perhaps the single most important item Aalto says he would like to convey is that waterjet work is something that virtually everybody likes and can appreciate for a very long time. "Water jet work is not an added expense to the purchase of stone material. It is an investment that if produced correctly, will make any stone installation a veritable masterpiece in stone design," he adds. "Waterjet has arrived," Aalto believes. "And, waterjet is here to stay.” DS |
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