ABSTRACT

The application of waterjets to a variety of industrial processes has led to the development of a new industry. With the growth in application, however, the limitations of conventional waterjets have become apparent. For while the jets can be very effective in cutting, their range of application has, in many cases, been somewhat limited. Thus, investigators, and engineers, have constantly sought to find means to improve jet performance. Performance improvements have been sought in two different ways. The first, by seeking to understand the mechanisms of waterjet cutting and cleaning, has aimed at optimizing the delivery of power to the target surface, and then to best use that power in order to remove material. The second approach has been to improve the performance of the system by adding different components to a plain waterjet operation.