Flow International Corporation

Shape Technologies Group, Inc.

Alex M Chillman

Mohamed Ahmed Hashish

Steven J Craigen

Charles D Burnham

Charles M Brown

Jordan J Hopkins

Glenn A Erichsen

Paul H Tacheron

Frank E DeSimone

Jiannan Zhou

Vanessa A Lind

Adam G Law

Brian Kent

Amanda C Kotchon

Craig D Sunada

Kenneth A Mental

Bruce M Schuman

Richard Bernard Hageman, Iii

Sean A Vaughan

Pradeep Nambiath

Kirby J Eide

Aki Tanuma

Raymond L Chenoweth, Ii

Raymond L Ii Chenoweth

Richard B Iii Hageman

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.

Autonomous modification of waterjet cutting systems

Computer based methods, systems, and techniques for planning and generating machining paths for a tool that manufactures a three dimensional object having beveled or 'compound' contours from a workpiece. A computer aided design (CAD)/computer aided manufacturing (CAM) system creates intermediate machining path surfaces that extend based on a CAD solid model representing the geometry of the object to be manufactured. The intermediate machining path surfaces extend to a shape that simulates a cutting beam (e.g., a waterjet, a laser beam, etc.) of the tool. For a flat workpiece, the machining path surfaces may extend from a top surface of the workpiece, which is a tool beam entrance surface, to a bottom surface of the workpiece, which is a tool beam exit surface. An operator is able to visualize the cuts to be made and the actual finished object geometry, without requiring the creation of multiple CAD solid models.

Beam tool pathing for 3D compound contours using machining path surfaces to maintain a single solid representation of objects

Air flow management systems and methods to facilitate the delivery of abrasives to an abrasive fluid jet cutting head are provided which enable the makeup of the discharged abrasive fluid jet to be controlled or manipulated in a particularly advantageous manner. The methods may include continuously or periodically measuring a volumetric flow rate of air (or other abrasive material carrier fluid) moving through an abrasive feed passageway at one or more measurement locations and adjusting the volumetric flow rate of air (or other abrasive material carrier fluid) moving through the abrasive feed passageway based at least in part on said measuring. Systems and methods for diagnosing changes in operational conditions and/or changes in the condition of one or more components of an abrasive fluid jet cutting system are also provided.

Air flow management systems and methods to facilitate the delivery of abrasives to an abrasive fluid jet cutting head

Fluid jet systems, components and related methods are provided which are well adapted for processing workpieces under particularly work-friendly conditions. Embodiments include fluid jet systems and related methods that reduce, minimize or eliminate a gap between a workpiece being processed and jet receiving devices that receive and dissipate the energy of a fluid jet passing through the workpiece. Other embodiments include fluid jet systems and related methods involving fluid jet processing of workpieces in a submerged condition. Still further embodiments include fluid jet systems and related methods involving position and orientation adjustment of a fluid jet receptacle to coordinate the path of an incoming fluid jet with a central axis or other feature of the fluid jet receptacle.

Fluid jet cutting systems, components and methods that facilitate improved work environments

Fluid jet cutting systems

A cutting head of a waterjet cutting system is provided having an environment control device and a measurement device. The environment control device is positioned to act on a surface of a workpiece at least during a measurement operation to establish a measurement area on the surface of the workpiece substantially unobstructed by fluid. The measurement device is positioned to selectively obtain information from within the measurement area indicative of a position of the cutting head relative to the workpiece. A control system is further provided and operable to position the cutting head relative to the workpiece at a standoff distance based at least in part on the information indicative of the position of the cutting head relative to the workpiece obtained by the measurement device. A method of operating a waterjet cutting system is also provided.

Waterjet cutting system with standoff distance control

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Alex M Chillman