Abstract: Disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods for performing a finishing operation on an article. Finishing operations include, but are not limited to removal of powder from a surface, improving surface finish, and peening. Embodiments of the disclosed components, systems, and methods include the use of waterjets to impact a surface of the article with an abrasive. Impacting the surface of the article with the abrasive alters a characteristic of the article without cutting through the portion of the article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods to improve characteristics of a manufactured article. Specifically, embodiments of a high pressure system includes an apparatus that subjects the article to specific pressures and temperatures for an amount of time to improve characteristics of the article. Methods of manufacturing include use of the high pressure system to subject the article to specific pressures and temperatures for an amount of time to improve characteristics of the article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods to improve characteristics of a manufactured article. Specifically, embodiments of a high pressure system includes an apparatus that subjects the article to specific pressures and temperatures for an amount of time to improve characteristics of the article. Methods of manufacturing include use of the high pressure system to subject the article to specific pressures and temperatures for an amount of time to improve characteristics of the article.

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: 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 of operating an abrasive fluid jet system that recycles and reuses abrasive particles for multiple cycles. The systems and methods include adjusting one or more operating parameters of the abrasive fluid jet system to compensate for a reduction in cutting power of the used abrasives as the used abrasive particles are continuously discharged from the outlet of the cutting head across multiple cycles. The one or more operating parameters include fluid pressure that forms the fluid jet, a cutting speed of the cutting head, and flow rate of abrasive particles, which are changeable while continuing to operate the abrasive fluid jet system. The one or more operating parameters include an orifice size through which a fluid passes to generate the second fluid jet, a mixing tube diameter through which the second abrasive fluid jet passes, and a length of the mixing tube.

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 improve characteristics of a manufactured article. Specifically, embodiments of a high pressure system includes an apparatus that subjects the article to specific pressures and temperatures for an amount of time to improve characteristics of the article. Methods of manufacturing include use of the high pressure system to subject the article to specific pressures and temperatures for an amount of time to improve characteristics of the article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods for performing a finishing operation on an article. Finishing operations include, but are not limited to removal of powder from a surface, improving surface finish, and peening. Embodiments of the disclosed components, systems, and methods include the use of waterjets to impact a surface of the article with an abrasive. Impacting the surface of the article with the abrasive alters a characteristic of the article without cutting through the portion of the article.

Abstract: Reinforced diamond nozzles and methods of making the same for fluid jet cutting applications are provided. An example method includes forming or providing a tubular diamond body having a jet passage extending therethrough and establishing a protective casing around the tubular diamond body so that an entirety or substantially an entirety of an outer circumferential surface area of the tubular diamond body is directly contacted and reinforced by the protective casing. Establishing the protective casing around the tubular diamond body may include thermal spraying, casting, direct metal laser sintering, or other fabrication techniques.

Abstract: High-pressure fluid jet systems are provided which include a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid, a cutting head assembly configured to receive the high-pressure fluid and generate a high-pressure fluid jet for processing workpieces or work surfaces, and a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and the cutting head assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the cutting head assembly. The pump, the cutting head assembly and/or the fluid distribution system include at least one fluid distribution component having a unitary body formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process with an internal passage having at least a curvilinear portion to efficiently route matter through the fluid jet system. Example fluid distribution components include fittings, valve bodies, cutting head bodies and nozzles of the high-pressure fluid jet systems.

Abstract: High-pressure fluid jet systems are provided which include a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid, a cutting head assembly configured to receive the high-pressure fluid and generate a high-pressure fluid jet for processing workpieces or work surfaces, and a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and the cutting head assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the cutting head assembly. The pump, the cutting head assembly and/or the fluid distribution system include at least one fluid distribution component having a unitary body formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process with an internal passage having at least a curvilinear portion to efficiently route matter through the fluid jet system. Example fluid distribution components include fittings, valve bodies, cutting head bodies and nozzles of the high-pressure fluid jet systems.

Abstract: High-pressure fluid jet systems are provided which include a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid, a cutting head assembly configured to receive the high-pressure fluid and generate a high-pressure fluid jet for processing workpieces or work surfaces, and a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and the cutting head assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the cutting head assembly. The pump, the cutting head assembly and/or the fluid distribution system include at least one fluid distribution component having a unitary body formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process with an internal passage having at least a curvilinear portion to efficiently route matter through the fluid jet system. Example fluid distribution components include fittings, valve bodies, cutting head bodies and nozzles of the high-pressure fluid jet systems.

Abstract: A processing apparatus is provided to process a workpiece. The processing apparatus can have a low-profile nozzle system capable of navigating through spaces in order to process target regions with relatively small clearances. A fluid jet outputted from the nozzle system is used to cut, mill, or otherwise process the target region of the workpiece.

Abstract: High-pressure fluid jet systems are provided which include a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid, a cutting head assembly configured to receive the high-pressure fluid and generate a high-pressure fluid jet for processing workpieces or work surfaces, and a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and the cutting head assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the cutting head assembly. The pump, the cutting head assembly and/or the fluid distribution system include at least one fluid distribution component having a unitary body formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process with an internal passage having at least a curvilinear portion to efficiently route matter through the fluid jet system. Example fluid distribution components include fittings, valve bodies, cutting head bodies and nozzles of the high-pressure fluid jet systems.

Abstract: A waterjet system for generating and delivering fluid jets suitable for processing a workpiece has a cutting head body and a mixing tube. The cutting head body includes a mixing chamber and a bore. The bore is positioned downstream of the mixing chamber, and an abrasive fluid jet from the mixing chamber passes through the mixing tube. The mixing tube has a first coupler adapted to magnetically couple the mixing tube to the cutting head body when the mixing tube is installed. The cutting head body has a second coupler positioned to engage the first coupler of the mixing tube to keep the mixing tube properly positioned during operation of the waterjet system.

Abstract: A processing apparatus is provided to process a workpiece. The processing apparatus can have a low-profile nozzle system capable of navigating through spaces in order to process target regions with relatively small clearances. A fluid jet outputted from the nozzle system is used to cut, mill, or otherwise process the target region of the workpiece.

Abstract: A waterjet system selectively produces fluid jets for water jet cutting or abrasive jets for abrasive-waterjet-cutting. The abrasive materials in the abrasive jet are determined based on the properties of the workpiece. The waterjet system includes an abrasive delivery system that is capable of delivering either a single abrasive or a plurality of abrasives as an abrasive blend, to a cutting head assembly. The cutting head assembly entrains the abrasive into a fluid jet to form an abrasive jet.

Abstract: An abrasive waterjet assembly has a cutting head assembly with a venting system for controlling the flow of abrasive within a cutting head body. The venting system includes one or more vents for regulating the pressure within a cutting head body to minimize, limit, or substantially eliminate any abrasive from reaching a jewel orifice. The vents include venting ports positioned between an orifice mount that retains the jewel orifice and a mixing region in which abrasive is mixed with a fluid jet produced by the jewel orifice. An isolator retained in the cutting head body further inhibits the upstream flow of abrasive, if any.

Abstract: A processing apparatus is provided to surface-finish or otherwise process features of a workpiece, such as a lumen of a stent. The fluid jet apparatus can have a nozzle system and a holder for holding and positioning the workpiece with respect to the nozzle system. A fluid jet outputted from the nozzle system is used to form a desired surface-finish.