Abstract

A high pressure fluidic medium is passed through a multiplicity of concentrating nozzles. The nozzles are rigidly retained within a frame or housing which directs the high velocity fluid flow columns therefrom against the surface of the material to be cut so that the area of impingement for each column is spaced from the others. The nozzle housing assembly preferably is held fixed for each channel cut pass but can be oscillated in a direction normal to the material surface while being moved along a line spaced from but parallel to the surface of the material to be cut. The areas of impingement of the fluid flow columns from the nozzle are arranged to erode cutting lines or kerfs along the material parallel to each other so as to define a total cut slightly greater than the width of the nozzle housing assembly. After a channel cut has been completed, the nozzle housing assembly is lowered towards the channel cut by a controlled increment and a further channel cut line is eroded until the desired cutting depth is obtained.