Abstract: A drive system, such as for a fluid jet cutting system, includes a brushless synchronous motor configured to drive movement through a loosely coupled transmission, a sensor configured to sense movement, and a control system configured to drive the brushless synchronous motor responsive to previously measured drive coupling.

Abstract: Various embodiments of fluid-jet systems are described herein. In one embodiment, a fluid-jet system includes a table and two bridges that are each longitudinally movable along the table. Each bridge carries a fluid-jet cutting head latitudinally movable along the bridge. The fluid-jet system also includes a first controller operably coupled to the first bridge and the first fluid-jet cutting head. The first controller controls the first bridge and the first fluid-jet cutting head. The fluid-jet system also includes a second controller operably coupled to the second bridge and the second fluid-jet cutting head. The second controller controls the second bridge and the second fluid-jet cutting head independently of the control of the first bridge and the first fluid-jet cutting head by the first controller.

Abstract: A drive system, such as for a fluid jet cutting system, includes a brushless synchronous motor configured to drive movement through a loosely coupled transmission, a sensor configured to sense movement, and a control system configured to drive the brushless synchronous motor responsive to previously measured drive coupling.

Abstract: A vented abrasive water-jet nozzle including a nozzle body having an abrasive-material mixing cavity, a receiving portion having receiving surface that receives a vented water-jet forming assembly, and an airflow restriction orifice between the receiving portion and the abrasive-material mixing cavity defining a water-jet pathway. The nozzle also includes an air-vent inlet port, and an air-vent pathway coupled between the air-inlet port and the waterjet pathway. A vented water-jet forming assembly includes a body having two spaced-apart surfaces, the first surface including a portion that receives a high-pressure water source, and the second surface including a portion that engages a receiving surface of an abrasive water-jet nozzle, and a jewel having a water-jet forming orifice carried on the receiving portion of the first surface. The assembly also includes a bore, and an air-vent pathway, the bore coupling the orifice and the air-vent pathway.