A multi-axis waterjet cutting system is disclosed which eliminates high-pressure tubing coils in the area adjacent the waterjet system's cutting head and isolates critical system components from the backsplash of the cutting process. A high-pressure swivel is combined with an on/off valve arrangement in such a way that these components are closely adjacent the cutting head and rotate therewith, and are substantially shielded from waterjet back-splash. The cutting head and the swivel/valve combination are rotated about the cutting head's final axis of rotation (e.g., the A-axis) by a drive mechanism substantially shielded by the structure which rotates the cutting head associated with a prior axis of rotation (e.g., the C-axis).

By eliminating high pressure tubing coils, the disclosed system reduces the clearance needed for manipulation of the cutting head around the workpiece.

A water-abrasive suspension cutting facility with at least one high-pressure source (2) which provides a carrier fluid at a high pressure, with at least one exit nozzle (6), with a high-pressure conduit (4) connecting the high-pressure source (2) to the exit nozzle (6), as well as with an abrasive agent feed lock (16). The abrasive agent feed lock (16) is connected to the high-pressure conduit (4) and includes an entry side shut-off element (26) and an exit-side shut-off element (24). A lock chamber (18) is arranged between the entry side shut-off element (26) and an exit-side shut-off element (24). A suction device (30) is configured for producing a reduced pressure in the lock chamber (18) and is connected to the lock chamber (18).

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.

A nozzle assembly for generating fluid jets, such as self-spinning fluid jets. A nozzle body includes a cylindrical nozzle cavity, an inlet, an outlet, and a tubular nozzle rotor assembly positioned with respect to the nozzle cavity. The nozzle rotor assembly can have a ball end and a tubular end and a central fluid passage routed through the nozzle rotor assembly. A fluid swirl enhancer forms communication with the inlet. A replaceable nozzle seat forms communication with the ball end of the nozzle rotor assembly and with the outlet. The ball end of the nozzle rotor assembly pivots, oscillates and rotates against the nozzle seat when pressurized fluid flows through the nozzle assembly.

A process to effectively remove machine lines blending the surface to a high luster uniform visual standard while reducing the surface roughness to below 8 Micro inches. The process does not remove or move the affected material greater than 0.02 mm, and the process is designed to produce a visually acceptable part that reduces surface roughness below 8 micro inches and holds tightly toleranced complex geometries.

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.

Disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods of operating an abrasive fluid jet system that recycles and reuses abrasive particles. The systems and methods described enable accurate metering and consistent feeding of wet abrasive particles thereby reducing the time and cost of operations associated with drying the recycled abrasive particles prior to reuse. The system may adjust a ratio of wet abrasive to dry abrasive being provided to a cutting head to form an abrasive fluid jet. Components of the system may overcome challenges associated with clumping and other issues that result in difficulty metering wet abrasive.

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.