OMAX receives 2016 Tibbetts Award

White House ceremony recognizes micro abrasive waterjet technology.


Peter Liu from OMAX Corporation receives the Tibbetts Award for research and development in micro abrasive waterjet technology. Left to right: SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, Peter Liu, SBA Associate Administrator for Investment and Innovation Mark Walsh.

Kent, Washington – On Jan. 10, 2017, OMAX Corp. was one of 37 companies to receive the prestigious Tibbetts Award at the White House. The Tibbetts Award is given to small businesses and individuals by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in recognition for innovative research and development of transferrable technology. OMAX received the award for its outstanding technological innovation in the area of micro abrasive waterjet technology, culminating in the MicroMAX JetMachining center.

Dr. Peter Liu, Sr. Scientist at OMAX and creator of the MicroMAX abrasive waterjet was at the ceremony in Washington D.C. to receive the award for the company. “Receiving the 2016 Tibbets Award is truly an honor,” said Mr. Liu. “The MicroMAX, commercialized based on µAWJ technology, was named a Finalist of the 2016 R&D 100 Awards. At OMAX, we strive to produce high-precision, easy-to-use waterjet machining systems, and research and development is a critical component to achieving that objective. It’s great to be recognized for our R&D work at such a high level.”

The MicroMAX precise abrasive waterjet offers a positioning accuracy of less than 5µm. The machine is capable of cutting extremely small parts in virtually any material. The advanced Tilt-A-Jet cutting head on the machine allows for taper-free edges and rapid cutting speeds.

Source: OMAX Corp.