Patent ID: 6752685
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: B24C

Abstract:
A system for delivering onto a workpiece a high-energy abrasive cutting stream comprising:(a) a head assembly for generating a pressurized fluidic stream; (b) a nozzling unit coupled to said head assembly fox nozzling said pressurized fluidic stream to expel a high-energy abrasive cuffing stream for advancing and cutting along a predefined pattern on the workpiece, said nozzling unit including a nozzle member having a laminar inner wall surface defining a longitudinal passage, said passage terminating at an outlet portion describing in sectional contour a predetermined shape to generate upon the workpiece an instantaneous kerf of cut having a corresponding sectional contour; and, (c) an adaptive orientation assembly coupled to said nozzling unit for angularly displacing said nozzle member during the advancement of said high-energy abrasive cutting stream along said predefined pattern on the workpiece in a manner adaptive to the position of said nozzling unit relative to said predefined pattern, said adaptive orientation assembly maintaining the instantaneous kerf of cut within a predefined angular orientation range relative to said predefined pattern.