Patent ID: 6021699
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: B26F,D21F,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A waterjet cutting apparatus for cutting through a moving sheet comprising:a support member having a base plate and a cover plate positioned over the base plate, the cover plate including an outer support surface for supporting the sheet for relative movement therewith in a first general direction and having sidewalls extending rearwardly to the base plate to define a chamber, and one sidewall of the sidewalls having at least one air flow exit aperture permitting air to flow out of the chamber;the cover plate having a first suction aperture and a second suction aperture located on the support surface providing fluid flow passages through the support surface, the first suction aperture being located upstream in the first general direction of movement from the second suction aperture the first suction aperture being at least partially offset from the second suction aperture in a direction orthogonal to the first general direction;a fluid motor located behind the support surface in fluid communication with the fluid flow passages for creating a flow of fluid through the first and second apertures that draws the sheet into supporting contact with the upper support surface;the cover plate having a third aperture located on the support surface passing through the support surface, the third aperture located downstream of the first suction aperture and upstream of the second suction aperture in the first general direction, the third aperture being aligned with at least a portion of the first suction aperture in the first general direction and the third aperture being offset from the second suction aperture in a direction orthogonal to the first general direction; and,a waterjet nozzle positioned behind the support surface adjacent the third aperture for directing a waterjet through the third aperture to cut through the sheet.