Abstract: Automatically controlled adjustable dump orifices (ADO) for use with liquid jet cutting systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the automatically controlled ADOs described herein include a motor (e.g., an electric motor) and a coupling configured to operably couple the motor to a valve. The valve is configured to cooperate with a dump orifice connected in fluid communication with a high-pressure pump of the cutting system. The motor is operable to move the valve in a first direction to increase the pressure of high-pressure liquid (e.g., water) flowing through the dump orifice and in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to reduce the pressure of the high-pressure liquid flowing through the dump orifice.