Water jet trim head simulator

In water jet apparatus having a water jet trim head with a nozzle supplied from a high pressure pump means and wherein the nozzle is mounted on a driven member the improvement comprising:

• a head simulator for replacing said water jet trim head during a teach mode of operation including mounting means for connection to the driven member and having a shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of the replaced water jet trim head including the nozzle portion thereof;
• drive means for moving the driven member through a desired trim path;
• tracking means on said head simulator for visually observing the trim path of said head simulator as it is moved along the desired trim path;
• and
• programmable means responsive to movement of the driven member for preprogramming the water jet apparatus for operating said drive means to position the driven member along multi-axes for directing a water jet from the nozzle head along the desired trim path on a production workpiece being trimmed by the water jet apparatus.