A manufacturing tool for a new century

An attempt has been made to present the progress in the applications of high-pressure fluid jets over a period of almost three decades. Based on all published literature and experience through the years, it is shown that advances in techniques, materials, design and automation have made the fluid jet not only a viable tool, but also an overwhelmingly advantageous tool for a wide variety of industrial applications. The technology will have an outstanding role to play in the 21st century when new materials that are hard to machine by conventional means will be used commonly by industries, and when the highest ecological requirements are imposed.