Fluid-jet cutting apparatus

Apparatus for cutting a sheet of substantially rigid material by means of a high velocity fluid jet, comprising:

• supporting means for supporting said sheet during cutting thereof;
• nozzle means for discharging said fluid jet against said supported sheet;
• mounting means mounting said nozzle means for movement relative to said sheet along a first one of two orthogonal axes;
• sheet moving means independent of said supporting means for moving said sheet parallel to the second one of said axes;
• said sheet moving means including first and second sheet gripping assemblies, means mounting said assemblies for precisely controllable movement parallel to said second axis, drive means for imparting said movement to said gripping assemblies, and adjustable interconnecting means for adjusting the positions of said gripping assemblies relative to each other and for interconnecting said assemblies for movement in unison with each other.

Apparatus for cutting a sheet of substantially rigid material by means of a high velocity fluid jet, comprising:

• supporting means for supporting said sheet during cutting thereof;
• nozzle means for discharging said fluid jet against said supported sheet;
• mounting means mounting said nozzle means for movement relative to said sheet along a first one of two orthogonal axes;
• sheet moving means independent of said supporting means for moving said sheet parallel to the second one of said axes;
• said sheet supporting means including a stationary sheet supporting member, air-bearing creating means for creating an air bearing between said sheet and said member, said supporting member having a perforate wall having a slot therein extending generally parallel to said first axis for receiving fluid discharged from said nozzle means following passage thereof through said sheet, and said air-bearing creating means including a compressed-air manifold underlying said wall.