Jets go large
Alamarin-Jet Oy launched their newest and largest waterjet to date – the AJ340 – at METS Tradeshow in Amsterdam. The Finnish waterjet manufacturer have long been a market leading manufacturer of smaller waterjets suitable for engines ranging from 20hp up to 450hp, but the release of the AJ 340 signals their intent to increase market share in larger and faster vessels.
The AJ 340 will be suitable for engines up to 750HP (550kW) and will have a maximum impeller diameter of 335mm. Even though to look at the AJ 340 is very different to the rest of the Alamarin-Jet product range it still carries some of the trade mark characteristics. A simplistic design approach with efficiency and reliability at its heart, the AJ 340 retains the conical impeller housing allowing the impeller to be adjusted for maximum lifetime but also for superb cavitation limits. The hydraulic cylinder design from the previous models is also retained, proven to be extremely reliable and hard-wearing.
Martyn Bowden, EMEA Sales Managers for Alamarin-Jet, said: “When we started designing this newest product we had a specific design brief which we had to address – our customers like our products because they are commercial jets which are extremely reliable and low maintenance, other waterjet manufacturers have used more complex solutions in their designs and we knew that to stand out from the crowd, we had to continue with our philosophy – keep it simple, keep it robust! That’s exactly where we are with the AJ 340. There are still some features we want to add but the core product you see now is what will be available for production in the coming months”
Alamarin-Jet OY have shown no signs of slowing in their product development after releasing the AJ 288 in 2010, I/O Controls in 2011, the Revolutionary AJ 245 in 2013 and now AJ340 in 2014. They also plan to release the upgraded version of the AJ 288 in 2015 which will include a Combi-Frame design and uprated HP capability.
By Jake Frith
