Abstract: A taper head control assembly is provided for a fluid jet cutting system. A base is movably mounted relative to a cutting table. A tilt body carries a fluid jet cutting apparatus and includes a rack. A tilt housing supports the tilt body and includes a pinion engaging the rack for selectively tilting the fluid jet cutting apparatus. A rotational axis housing is mounted to the base and a collar is rotatably mounted relative to the rotational axis housing. The collar carries the tilt axis housing to selectively rotate the water jet cutting apparatus relative to the base.

Abstract: An electric sparking drill and a method for using the same to drill a hole in a workpiece where at least one of a voltage applied to an electrode, the conductivity of a liquid applied between the electrode and the workpiece during drilling, and a gap between the electrode and the workpiece are controlled to create the desired hole in the workpiece. The electric sparking drill and a method for using the same to drill a hole in a workpiece also improve the hole operation and/or the quality of the hole made by operating at the arcing voltage, including a touch stop function, including a sacrificial electrode, and/or including a guide member function.