Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for improving the performance of a fluid jet cutting system by testing and adjusting characteristics of the system based on the effect of the characteristics on forces imparted by the system to a workpiece being cut. Also disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring and validating the performance of fluid jet cutting systems, and for diagnosing such systems. In some cases, the technologies described herein can be used to determine whether components of a fluid jet system require maintenance, or that characteristics of the system require adjustment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing real-time modification of cutting process programs using feedback from one or more sensors which measure one or more operational parameters of a cutting process and/or cutting apparatus. The sensor readings may be used to provide real-time modification of a motion program after such motion program has been provided to a motion controller. Examples of such operational parameters may include waterjet pump supply pressure, the abrasive mass flow rate, the force of the waterjet on the target piece, etc. The systems and methods discussed herein also utilize a cutting algorithm or program to calculate actual cut quality based on one or more sensor inputs, and to generate warnings or system shut-downs accordingly. The systems and methods discussed herein also utilize inspection devices to inspect coupons or first articles, and use the inspection data to autonomously modify motion programs and/or cutting process models without user intervention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods to monitor acoustic emissions of a high pressure system to predict failure of the high pressure system. Further disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods to monitor acoustic emissions of a high pressure system to identify characteristics of one or more defects as they form and grow within components of the high pressure system. Characteristics of the defects include type, size, growth, and location.

Abstract: A regulator valve assembly is provided for use in connection with high pressure fluid systems. The regulator valve assembly includes a valve pin having an engagement portion with a tapered surface and a valve seat having a valve pin receiving aperture defining a tapered surface on the valve seat to sealingly mate with the engagement portion of the valve pin. At least one of the valve pin and the valve seat includes an asymmetrical surface feature sized and shaped such that, when the valve pin is displaced away from the seated configuration and fluid flows through an annular space created between the engagement portion of the valve pin and the valve seat, unbalanced hydrodynamic forces arise from an interaction of the fluid with the asymmetrical surface feature. Systems incorporating the regulator valve assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for improving the performance of a fluid jet cutting system by testing and adjusting characteristics of the system based on the effect of the characteristics on forces imparted by the system to a workpiece being cut. Also disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring and validating the performance of fluid jet cutting systems, and for diagnosing such systems. In some cases, the technologies described herein can be used to determine whether components of a fluid jet system require maintenance, or that characteristics of the system require adjustment.

Abstract: Fluid jet cutting systems, components and related methods for generating relatively low load abrasive fluid jets that are particularly well suited for cutting fragile, brittle or otherwise sensitive materials are provided. An example method includes supplying fluid at an operating pressure of at least 60,000 psi to an orifice having a circular cross-sectional profile with a diameter that is less than or equal to 0.010 inches to create a fluid jet that leaves a fluid jet cutting head through a jet passageway having a circular cross-sectional profile with a diameter that is less than or equal to 0.015 inches.

Abstract: Methods of trimming fiber reinforced polymer composite workpieces are provided which use a pure waterjet discharged from a cutting head in liquid phase unladened with solid particles at an operating pressure of at least 60,000 psi and in combination with other cutting parameters to provide a final component profile without delamination, splintering, fraying or unacceptable fiber pullout or fiber fracture.

Abstract: An abrasive slurry delivery system configured to discharge a high pressure mixture of water (30) and abrasives (54, 54?) for further admixture with a flow of high pressure water (30) to generate an abrasive slurry and ultimately an abrasive slurry jet is provided. The delivery system includes a storage chamber (56), a discharge chamber (58) and a shuttle chamber (60) positioned therebetween. The shuttle chamber (60) is configured to intermittently receive abrasives (54) from the storage chamber (56) and intermittently supply the abrasives (54, 54?) mixed with high pressure water (30) to the discharge chamber (58) to be selectively discharged therefrom. High pressure abrasive slurry cutting systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A catcher tank assembly is provided for a waterjet cutting machine. The catcher tank assembly includes a catcher tank having a plurality of tank sections detachably coupleable together in a side-by-side manner to collectively define a catcher tank having a desired configuration. The catcher tank assembly further includes a workpiece support system detachably coupleable to an interior cavity of the catcher tank. The workpiece support system may include a plurality of workpiece support modules arrangeable in an array to support a workpiece platform of the waterjet cutting machine. The workpiece platform may be formed, for example, by a series of slats supported transversely to parallel rows of the workpiece support modules. Methods and systems which relate to or include the aforementioned catcher tank assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Computer based methods, systems, and techniques for planning and generating machining paths for a tool that manufactures a three dimensional object having beveled or “compound” contours from a workpiece. A computer aided design (CAD)/computer aided manufacturing (CAM) system creates intermediate machining path surfaces that extend based on a CAD solid model representing the geometry of the object to be manufactured. The intermediate machining path surfaces extend to a shape that simulates a cutting beam (e.g., a waterjet, a laser beam, etc.) of the tool. For a flat workpiece, the machining path surfaces may extend from a top surface of the workpiece, which is a tool beam entrance surface, to a bottom surface of the workpiece, which is a tool beam exit surface. An operator is able to visualize the cuts to be made and the actual finished object geometry, without requiring the creation of multiple CAD solid models.

Abstract: Methods of trimming fiber reinforced polymer composite workpieces are provided which use a pure waterjet discharged from a cutting head in liquid phase unladened with solid particles at an operating pressure of at least 60,000 psi and in combination with other cutting parameters to provide a final component profile without delamination, splintering, fraying or unacceptable fiber pullout or fiber fracture.

Abstract: A waterjet cutting method is provided which includes directing a waterjet onto a surface of a workpiece that is exposed to the surrounding atmosphere, the interaction of the waterjet with the exposed surface defining a cutting location, and simultaneously directing a gas stream onto the exposed surface of the workpiece at or adjacent the cutting location to maintain a cutting environment at the cutting location that is, apart from the waterjet, substantially devoid of fluid or particulate matter. The method may further include moving a source of the waterjet relative to the workpiece to cut the workpiece along a desired path while continuously directing the gas stream onto the exposed surface of the workpiece at or adjacent the cutting location.

Abstract: Fluid jet systems, components and related methods are provided which are well adapted for processing workpieces under particularly work-friendly conditions. Embodiments include fluid jet systems and related methods that reduce, minimize or eliminate a gap between a workpiece being processed and jet receiving devices that receive and dissipate the energy of a fluid jet passing through the workpiece. Other embodiments include fluid jet systems and related methods involving fluid jet processing of workpieces in a submerged condition. Still further embodiments include fluid jet systems and related methods involving position and orientation adjustment of a fluid jet receptacle to coordinate the path of an incoming fluid jet with a central axis or other feature of the fluid jet receptacle.

Abstract: A relief valve assembly is provided for use in connection with high pressure and ultrahigh pressure pumps. The relief valve assembly includes a valve pin having an engagement portion with a tapered surface and a valve seat having a valve pin receiving aperture defining a tapered surface on the valve seat to sealingly mate with the engagement portion of the valve pin when the valve pin is seated against the valve seat in a seated configuration. The valve seat further includes at least one bypass passage that extends from the valve pin receiving aperture to an exterior surface of the valve seat such that when the valve pin is displaced away from the seated configuration fluid can pass through the bypass passage and an annular space created between the engagement portion of the valve pin and the valve seat. Systems incorporating the relief valve assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Computer based methods, systems, and techniques for planning and generating machining paths for a tool that manufactures a three dimensional object having beveled or “compound” contours from a workpiece. A computer aided design (CAD)/computer aided manufacturing (CAM) system creates intermediate machining path surfaces that extend based on a CAD solid model representing the geometry of the object to be manufactured. The intermediate machining path surfaces extend to a shape that simulates a cutting beam (e.g., a waterjet, a laser beam, etc.) of the tool. For a flat workpiece, the machining path surfaces may extend from a top surface of the workpiece, which is a tool beam entrance surface, to a bottom surface of the workpiece, which is a tool beam exit surface. An operator is able to visualize the cuts to be made and the actual finished object geometry, without requiring the creation of multiple CAD solid models.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for improving the performance of a fluid jet cutting system by testing and adjusting characteristics of the system based on the effect of the characteristics on forces imparted by the system to a workpiece being cut. Also disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring and validating the performance of fluid jet cutting systems, and for diagnosing such systems. In some cases, the technologies described herein can be used to determine whether components of a fluid jet system require maintenance, or that characteristics of the system require adjustment.

Abstract: Land cultivating systems and methods utilizing high-pressure fluid jet cutting techniques are disclosed. An example system includes a mobile unit, a traveler arrangement operably coupled to the mobile unit to ride on the surface of stubble residues as the mobile unit moves across land to be cultivated, and a fluid jet cutting head supported by the traveler arrangement. The cutting head is configured to selectively discharge a high-pressure fluid jet to make a cut through the stubble residues and underlying soil as the mobile unit moves across the land. A soil opening device is provided to form a furrow in the ground in line with the cut made by the high-pressure fluid jet, and a liquid injector nozzle is provided to discharge fertilizer or other chemical(s) into the soil.

Abstract: A relief valve assembly is provided for use in connection with high pressure and ultrahigh pressure pumps. The relief valve assembly includes a valve pin having an engagement portion with a tapered surface and a valve seat having a valve pin receiving aperture defining a tapered surface on the valve seat to sealingly mate with the engagement portion of the valve pin when the valve pin is seated against the valve seat in a seated configuration. The valve seat further includes at least one bypass passage that extends from the valve pin receiving aperture to an exterior surface of the valve seat such that when the valve pin is displaced away from the seated configuration fluid can pass through the bypass passage and an annular space created between the engagement portion of the valve pin and the valve seat. Systems incorporating the relief valve assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A waterjet cutting head assembly is provided which includes an orifice unit to generate a high-pressure waterjet, a nozzle body and a nozzle component coupled to the nozzle body with the orifice unit positioned therebetween. The nozzle component may include a waterjet passage, at least one jet alteration passage and at least one environment control passage. The jet alteration passage may intersect with the waterjet passage to enable selective alteration of the waterjet during operation via the introduction of a secondary fluid or application of a vacuum. The environment control passage may include one or more downstream portions aligned relative to the fluid jet passage so that gas passed through the environment control passage during operation is directed to impinge on an exposed surface of a workpiece at or adjacent to a location where the waterjet is cutting the workpiece. Other high-pressure waterjet cutting systems, components and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and related methods are provided for adjusting the position and orientation of an end effector of a multi-axis machine (e.g., a manipulable cutting head of a fluid jet cutting machine) relative to a base reference frame. Systems include an adjustable tool mount having a base structure that includes portions or regions that are selectively deformable to adjust a position and an orientation of a tool supported by the adjustable tool mount.