Our History
A History of Leadership
A small group of former Boeing research scientists started Flow Research (now Flow International Corporation) nearly 40 years ago, and we’ve been at the forefront of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) technology ever since. Here’s the story of how Flow grew from a humble start-up to a respected innovator with 60 percent worldwide market share.
1950's
Dr. Norman Franz, a forestry engineer seeking new ways to slice trees into lumber, becomes the first person to study UHP as a cutting tool. By dropping heavy weights onto columns of water to force the water through a tiny orifice, Dr. Franz obtains short bursts of very high pressures that are powerful enough to cut wood and other materials.
1974
Flow founded.
1975
Flow commercializes intensifier pumps for 24/7 operation. The first major application of this technology is commercialized for cutting disposable diapers.
1979
Dr. Mohamed Hashish invents the process of adding abrasives to a standard waterjet. After testing a variety of options, he settled on garnet, a substance commonly used on sandpaper. The UHP abrasive waterjet can now cut virtually any hard material.
1980
Abrasive waterjets are used for the first time to cut steel, glass and concrete.
1983
Flow sells the world's first commercial abrasive waterjet cutting system for automotive glass. Early adopters of waterjet technology -- primarily in the aviation and space industries -- find it’s a perfect tool for cutting high-strength materials such as Inconel, stainless steel and titanium, as well as light-weight composites such as carbon fiber.
1984
Flow introduces 55,000 psi (3,800 bar) intensifier pumps.
1986
Flow invents the first UHP direct drive pump, the 36,000 psi (2,400 bar) X-Pump. The world's first mobile UHP waterjet pumping system is introduced for mobile and field applications such as industrial cleaning, roadway maintenance and infrastructure refurbishment projects.
1987
Mobile waterjets enjoy a brush with fame when a system developed by Flow is used to extract "Baby Jessica" from the abandoned well into which she fell. The waterjet system digs a parallel shaft, then breaks through the wall of the well.
Flow develops the first 5-Axis abrasive waterjet system capable of three-dimensional cutting.
Flow creates UltraPierce™ Vacuum Assist for reliable piercing.
1990
Flow introduces FlowPro Database Software, the first Intelligent Control System.
1992
Flow introduces the world's first 40,000 psi (2,700 bar) triplex pump.
1995
Flow becomes the world's first single source waterjet system supplier.
Flow introduces the world's first 50,000 psi (3,400 bar) triplex pump.
1996
Flow launches FlowMaster Windows based intelligent waterjet control software.
Flow introduces the Bengal, the first fully integrated waterjet system.
1997
Flow introduces 87,000 psi (6,700 bar).
1998
Flow introduces 60,000 psi (4,100 bar) intensifier.
Flow introduces the IFB which quickly becomes the world's best selling waterjet system.
Flow introduces ESL ceramic components to double pump seal life and increase reliability.
2001
Flow launches Dynamic Waterjet to eliminate taper, increase cut accuracy and speed.
Flow develops HyPlex pumps, the world's first 55,000 psi (3,800 bar) triplex pump family.
2002
Flow introduces state-of-the-art WMC™, a complete abrasive waterjet system.
2005
Flow introduces Paser ECL.
2008
Flow develops FlowConnex™ to remotely monitor machine operation and productivity.
2009
Dynamic Waterjet XD integrates new 3D functionality with our current Dynamic Waterjet Taper Control System.
2010
Introduces FlowXpert 3D programming.
Today
Ironically, the wood-cutting application that Dr. Franz first researched is now just a minor use of UHP waterjet technology. Waterjets are used to cut everything from aluminum for boats, to composites for sporting goods, to fabric and plastics used for automotive interiors, and even granite for kitchen countertops. Industrial cleaning applications include ship hulls, oil storage tanks, roadways, jet engines and even automotive car carriers.
Learn how waterjets work >>