A computerized method for determining a tilt parameter of a cutting head of a
fluid-jet
apparatus. The method includes receiving a target-piece shape, describing an ordered
path defining the target-piece shape, and segmenting the path into small straight
lines of approximately equal length. The method further includes determining a
cutting-head translation speed for each of the small straight lines, determining
a tilt parameter of the cutting head with respect to the plane of the workpiece
in response to the speed and a fluid jet-shape parameter for each of the small
straight lines, storing the small straight lines and the determined tilt parameter
associated with each small straight line in a memory, and sending the stored data
to the fluid-jet apparatus. The method may include controlling the tilt of the
cutting head in accordance with the tilt parameter for each small straight line
as the cutting head cuts the workpiece.
