Abstract: The present disclosure relates to abrasive material delivery systems for liquid jet cutting systems. The abrasive material delivery systems can include a valve configured to adjust an inflow of abrasive material into the abrasive material delivery system from a source of abrasive material. The systems can include a chamber downstream of the valve and configured to receive the inflow of abrasive material from the valve. The systems can include a metering component configured to control an outflow of abrasive from the chamber to a cutting head of the liquid jet cutting system. In some embodiments, the systems include a sensor configured to monitor movement of a top surface of a portion of abrasive material within the chamber as the top surface moves through the chamber; and a processing device operably connected to the sensor and configured to determine an abrasive flow rate through the metering component based on a speed of the top surface as monitored by the sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to abrasive material delivery systems for liquid jet cutting systems. The abrasive material delivery systems can include a valve configured to adjust an inflow of abrasive material into the abrasive material delivery system from a source of abrasive material. The systems can include a chamber downstream of the valve and configured to receive the inflow of abrasive material from the valve. The systems can include a metering component configured to control an outflow of abrasive from the chamber to a cutting head of the liquid jet cutting system. In some embodiments, the systems include a sensor configured to monitor movement of a top surface of a portion of abrasive material within the chamber as the top surface moves through the chamber; and a processing device operably connected to the sensor and configured to determine an abrasive flow rate through the metering component based on a speed of the top surface as monitored by the sensor.

Abstract: Waterjet systems including control valves and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. A waterjet system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a fluid source, a jet outlet, and a fluid conveyance extending from the fluid source to the jet outlet. The system further includes a control valve positioned along the fluid conveyance downstream from the fluid source and upstream from the jet outlet. The fluid conveyance has a first portion upstream from the control valve and a second portion downstream from the control valve. The control valve is configured to controllably reduce a pressure of fluid within the second portion of the fluid conveyance relative to a pressure of fluid within the first portion of the fluid conveyance. The first portion of the fluid conveyance is configured to accommodate movement of the jet outlet relative to the fluid source.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technology relates to networked control of machine tools. An example system can use messages as means for transmitting intention and status in a networked control system. Illustratively, requests for actions or requests for measurements and status are passed across the network as messages rather than discrete signals. This can greatly ease machine expansion—new functions may be implemented by adding new messages on the network and adding new distributed controls to handle the new function hardware.

Abstract: Waterjet systems including control valves and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. A waterjet system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a fluid source, a jet outlet, and a fluid conveyance extending from the fluid source to the jet outlet. The system further includes a control valve positioned along the fluid conveyance downstream from the fluid source and upstream from the jet outlet. The fluid conveyance has a first portion upstream from the control valve and a second portion downstream from the control valve. The control valve is configured to controllably reduce a pressure of fluid within the second portion of the fluid conveyance relative to a pressure of fluid within the first portion of the fluid conveyance. The first portion of the fluid conveyance is configured to accommodate movement of the jet outlet relative to the fluid source.

Abstract: Waterjet systems including control valves and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. A waterjet system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a fluid source, a jet outlet, and a fluid conveyance extending from the fluid source to the jet outlet. The system further includes a control valve positioned along the fluid conveyance downstream from the fluid source and upstream from the jet outlet. The fluid conveyance has a first portion upstream from the control valve and a second portion downstream from the control valve. The control valve is configured to controllably reduce a pressure of fluid within the second portion of the fluid conveyance relative to a pressure of fluid within the first portion of the fluid conveyance. The first portion of the fluid conveyance is configured to accommodate movement of the jet outlet relative to the fluid source.

Abstract: Abrasive materials for use in abrasive jet systems and associated materials, apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed. An abrasive material configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes abrasive particles individually including an abrasive core and a fluid-repelling coating. The individual abrasive cores can be monolithic and have outer surfaces. The individual fluid-repelling coatings can include an amide wax and/or other suitable materials and can extend around at least about 95% of the outer surfaces of the corresponding abrasive cores. An average sieve diameter of the abrasive particles can be from about 5 microns to about 35 microns.

Abstract: Waterjet systems including control valves and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. A waterjet system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a fluid source, a jet outlet, and a fluid conveyance extending from the fluid source to the jet outlet. The system further includes a control valve positioned along the fluid conveyance downstream from the fluid source and upstream from the jet outlet. The fluid conveyance has a first portion upstream from the control valve and a second portion downstream from the control valve. The control valve is configured to controllably reduce a pressure of fluid within the second portion of the fluid conveyance relative to a pressure of fluid within the first portion of the fluid conveyance. The first portion of the fluid conveyance is configured to accommodate movement of the jet outlet relative to the fluid source.

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: Waterjet systems including control valves and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. A waterjet system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a fluid source, a jet outlet, and a fluid conveyance extending from the fluid source to the jet outlet. The system further includes a control valve positioned along the fluid conveyance downstream from the fluid source and upstream from the jet outlet. The fluid conveyance has a first portion upstream from the control valve and a second portion downstream from the control valve. The control valve is configured to controllably reduce a pressure of fluid within the second portion of the fluid conveyance relative to a pressure of fluid within the first portion of the fluid conveyance. The first portion of the fluid conveyance is configured to accommodate movement of the jet outlet relative to the fluid source.

Abstract: Waterjet systems including control valves and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. A waterjet system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a fluid source, a jet outlet, and a fluid conveyance extending from the fluid source to the jet outlet. The system further includes a control valve positioned along the fluid conveyance downstream from the fluid source and upstream from the jet outlet. The fluid conveyance has a first portion upstream from the control valve and a second portion downstream from the control valve. The control valve is configured to controllably reduce a pressure of fluid within the second portion of the fluid conveyance relative to a pressure of fluid within the first portion of the fluid conveyance. The first portion of the fluid conveyance is configured to accommodate movement of the jet outlet relative to the fluid source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include various different types and sizes of automated, computer-controlled, adjustable machine-tool work-piece mounting systems used to support and constrain movement of work pieces during manufacture, repair, and maintenance. The automated, computer-controlled, adjustable machine-tool work-piece mounting systems that represent embodiments of the present invention are implemented from one or more adjustable machine-tool work-piece mounting-system modules. Each adjustable machine-tool work-piece mounting-system module comprises an array of extendable supports with non-circular and non-elliptical cross sections. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the extendable supports are extended and retracted along a direction approximately normal to a substrate or surface of the automated, computer-controlled, adjustable machine-tool work-piece mounting-system module by linear actuators and are maintained at desired positions by compressed-air brakes.

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: Embodiments of the present invention include various different types and sizes of automated, computer-controlled, adjustable machine-tool work-piece mounting systems used to support and constrain movement of work pieces during manufacture, repair, and maintenance. The automated, computer-controlled, adjustable machine-tool work-piece mounting systems that represent embodiments of the present invention are implemented from one or more adjustable machine-tool work-piece mounting-system modules. Each adjustable machine-tool work-piece mounting-system module comprises an array of extendable supports with non-circular and non-elliptical cross sections. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the extendable supports are extended and retracted along a direction approximately normal to a substrate or surface of the automated, computer-controlled, adjustable machine-tool work-piece mounting-system module by linear actuators and are maintained at desired positions by compressed-air brakes.