Changes for page Desktop Waterjet Cutting
Last modified by Zaara Hashmy on 2026/03/16 19:22
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edited by Zaara Hashmy
on 2026/03/16 17:54
on 2026/03/16 17:54
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... ... @@ -1,1 +1,1 @@ 1 - CO2Laser Cutting1 +Desktop Waterjet Cutting - Parent
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... ... @@ -1,141 +1,144 @@ 1 -|=**Omtech 2 -CO,,2,, 130W** 3 -[[Specs>>url:https://omtechlaser.com/products/130w-co2-laser-engraver-cutter-usb-gb14-us]]|=Working Area 4 -(LxW)|=Max Laser 5 -Power|=Tolerance 6 -(Minimum Gap 7 -Recomended) 8 -|[[image:omtechaf3555.jpg||alt="omtechaf3555.jpeg" width="200"]]|1400x900mm 9 -(34x54 in)|130W|± 0.1mm 1 +|=((( 2 +((( 3 +WAZER Desktop Waterjet Cutting Machine 4 +))) 10 10 11 -|=**Dremel LC40 12 -CO,,2,, 40W** 13 -[[Specs>>url:https://all3dp.com/1/dremel-lc40-laser-engraver-cutter-review-specs/]]|=Working Area 14 -(LxW)|=Max Laser 15 -Power|=Tolerance 16 -(Minimum Gap 17 -Recomended) 18 -|[[image:dremel_lc40_laser.jpg||width="200"]]|467x304mm 19 -(18.4x12 in)|40W|± 0.1mm 6 +((( 7 +[[Specs>>https://www.matterhackers.com/store/l/wazer-desktop-waterjet-cutter-machine/sk/MVN5VKM5]] 8 +))) 9 +)))|=Working Area 10 +(LxW)|=(% style="width: 376px;" %)Max Allowable Working Pressure|=(% style="width: 307px;" %)Max Working Flow Rate 11 +|[[image:WazerPhoto.png||alt="omtechaf3555.jpeg" width="200"]]|((( 12 +305 mm x 460 mm 20 20 14 +(13" x 19" in) 15 +)))|(% style="width:376px" %)((( 16 +4,600 psi 17 + 18 + 19 +(317 bar) 20 +)))|(% style="width:307px" %)0.45 GPM 21 +(1.7 L/min) 22 +\\(at 4,000 psi) 23 + 21 21 While CO2 laser cutters can cut a variety of materials, we stock sheets of Acrylic and Birch Plywood in 12x24 inch sizes, and 1/8" and 1/4" thicknesses. Keep in mind these dimensions are nominal, and may not be precisely accurate. 22 22 23 -== AboutCO2Laser Cutting==26 +== == 24 24 25 - [[Lasercutting>>url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_cutting]] is the process of using a laser to vaporize a material, so that the laserbeam cuts throughthematerial. Whenthis is combined withaCNCtool head and both powerand speed are balanced properly,thisprocess allows the user to create flat parts from sheets of material, using 2D CAD drawings.28 += About the Waterjet = 26 26 27 - Thereare severaltypes of lasers, with differentspectrum wavelengths and firingcharacteristics. We use [[CO2 lasers>>url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon-dioxide_laser#Industrial_(cutting_and_welding)]]with poweroutputs of 130W and below. Lasers ofthistype and ratingcannotcutmetals, but are excellentfor cuttingorganicmaterialsandsomeplastics,as well as some otherniche materials. Birch Plywood,Acrylic, thinsiliconeandbuna rubbergaskets, organicmaterialssuch asleather, mostfabrics and paper-basedmaterialsareamongthematerials thatCO2laserscancut.Materialsthat shouldgenerally be avoidedarehighly reflectivematerials such as mirrors, materialsthat give off toxic fumesorparticulatessuchas PTFE, ABS, Vinyl, and PVC plastics,and materials thatcut poorly duetolow wavelengthabsorptionorotherphysicalcharacteristics,such asHDPEandpolycarbonate.30 +[[Waterjet cutting>>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_jet_cutter]] is the process of using a high pressure jet of water to cut a material. --laser to vaporize a material, so that the laser beam cuts through the material. When this is combined with a CNC tool head and both power and speed are balanced properly, this process allows the user to create flat parts from sheets of material, using 2D CAD drawings.-- 28 28 29 - **Advantages:**32 +The waterjet has a hydraulic power output of 820 W. There are a variety of materials that the waterjet can cut, example of allowed materials include acrylic, agate, aluminum, borosilicate, brass, carbon fiber, ceramic tile, copper, gabbro, fused glass, graphite, granite, HDPE, marble, memory foam, mild steel, neoprene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyurethane, porcelain tile, silicone, spring steel, stained glass, stainless steel, titanium, and tool steel. Materials that are water soluble or shatter under high pressure are not suitable for waterjet cutting. 30 30 34 +**Advantages: (Needs to be edited still)** 35 + 31 31 * Laser cutting tool heads never touch the material, leave fairly clean cuts, and are highly accurate and repeatable. 32 32 * Laser cutting is far faster than manual cutting of the material, especially with repeated cuts in bulk materials. 33 33 * Laser cutting allows for very small and intricate designs, which would be difficult or impossible with traditional cutting tools. 34 34 * Laser cutting allows for much more efficient material usage than hand cutting in many cases. 35 35 36 -**Disadvantages:** 41 +**Disadvantages: (needs to be edited still) ** 37 37 38 38 * Our CO2 lasers can't cut metals, or materials that reflect/poorly absorb its wavelength at powers below 130W. 39 39 * Laser cutters create a fine cutting spot size by focusing the laser through a lens, and as a result, cuts can never be completely perpendicular to the material. 40 40 * In most cases, CO2 lasers have difficulty penetrating cleanly through materials greater than 1/4 inch thick. 41 41 42 -= =Software Usage Instructions ==47 += Software and Usage Instructions = 43 43 44 - Hereis thelink to the **[[How to Use Lightburn>>doc:How to Use LightBurn.WebHome]]** page, where you canlearn how to use the software that tells the laser how to cut your part.49 +== Opening WazerCam == 45 45 46 - ==OMTechLaserSettings(LongFocal Lens)==51 +Open WazerCam website, [[WazerCam>>https://wam.wazer.com/wazercam]] , and enter the following login information. 47 47 48 - The Long focal length lensin our large-format OMTech laser cutter allows for more efficient cuts in thicker materials. However, this comesat the cost of a slightly large spot size, and thus, less fine engraving abilities.53 +**Username:** RPSpublic 49 49 50 - Use the table below to input the correct valuesfor your material. Note that for engraving, the thickness does not matter, because itwon't cut all the way through.We also have sample engravings at various settings in theRPSif you would like to change the depth or darkness of the engraving. Keep in mind that the depth and color might notbe exact, as they depend highly on laser focus and various other environmental parameters thatcannot be controlled.55 +**Password:** RPSpublic 51 51 52 - **CuttingTable**57 +== File Import == 53 53 54 -|=**Material**|=Speed|=Max Power|=Min Power|=Passes 55 -|1/8" (3 mm) Birch Plywood|45 mm/s|70%|35%|1 56 -|1/4" (6 mm) Birch Plywood|15 mm/s|70%|35%|1 57 -|1/16" (1.5 mm) Cast Acrylic|90 mm/s|70%|20%|2 58 -|1/8" (3 mm) Cast Acrylic|55 mm/s|70%|20%|2 59 -|1/4" (6 mm) Cast Acrylic|20 mm/s|70%|70%|2 60 -|1/16" (1.5 mm) Buna N Rubber|80 mm/s|70%|20%|1 59 +Files uploaded must be in .dxf or .svg file types. Multiple files can be added at once using the "+" and "-" buttons. 61 61 62 - **EngravingTable**61 +[[image:1772478564567-669.png||height="269" width="557"]] 63 63 64 -|=**Material**|=Speed|=Max Power|=Min Power|=Passes 65 -|Birch Plywood|475 mm/s|50%|35%|1 66 -|Cast Acrylic|550 mm/s|20%|20%|1 63 +== Setting Scale and Positioning == 67 67 68 - Settings can be changedwithinLightburnor on thephysical OMTech Laser inthe highlighted portion on the display screen. Pleaseconsult withatechnicianbeforechangingspeedsand power onthe machine.65 +The following metrics can be adjusted within WazerCam: 69 69 67 +**Rotation:** the angle which the part needs to be rotated to 70 70 71 - [[image:omtech12.jpg||alt="https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/learning/omtech12.jpg"height="40%"width="40%"]]69 +**X & Y positions:** The top left of the screen represents 0, and all movements are positive. The top left of a selected part can be moved to a specified position. 72 72 73 - == DremelLaserSettings==71 +**Scale:** Scale of parts can be changed by any magnitude 74 74 75 - All settingsarepreset withintheDremel's IP address site.73 +**Height & Width**: Similar to scale, height and width can be changed independently. 76 76 77 - ==UnsafeMaterialsforLaserCutting==75 +(Be aware of total physical space that the waterjet will occupy on a material, taking into account the width of the cut itself (kerf) ) 78 78 79 -* ABS 80 -* Beryllium oxide 81 -* Carbon 82 -* Chlorinated plastics 83 -* Coated carbon fiber 84 -* Coated materials 85 -* Epoxy-based or phenolic resins 86 -* Fiberglass 87 -* Fluorine-based plastics: 88 -** PTFE (Teflon) 89 -** Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) 90 -* Galvanized metal 91 -* HDPE (High-Density Poly Ethylene) 92 -* Leather, Artificial or Chrome tanned 93 -* Materials containing: 94 -** Astatine 95 -** Bromine 96 -** Chlorine 97 -** Fluorine 98 -** Formaldehyde 99 -* Wood containing: 100 -** Flame-retardants 101 -** Halogens 102 -** Iodine 103 -* Wood that has been: 104 -** Coated 105 -** Fumigated 106 -** Pressure-treated 107 -** Stained 108 -* Mirrored surfaces 109 -* Nylon 110 -* Painted material 111 -* Varnished materials 112 -* Particleboard, paneling 113 -* Polycarbonate 114 -* Polychloroprene (CR or chloroprene rubber, marketed under the brand name Neoprene) 115 -* Polypropylene foam 116 -* Polypropylene sheet 117 -* Polystyrene foam 118 -* Polyurethane 119 -* Polyurethane foam 120 -* Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) 121 -* POM Delrin/acetyl 122 -* Rubber 123 -* Styrofoam 77 +[[image:1772478615037-166.png||height="266" width="554"]] 124 124 125 -== PostProcessing==79 +== Materials Selection == 126 126 127 - **RequiredPPE**forwoods and acrylic:81 +Using the first dropdown menu, select the material category. Using the second dropdown menu, select the specific material you are cutting. If the specific material is not listed, consult an RPS studio staff member. Once category and material type are selected, input the material thickness in either millimeters or inches. 128 128 129 - * None83 +[[image:1772478775055-319.png||height="264" width="550"]] 130 130 131 - Oncethe job has concluded, allowthe fumesto be vented for a minimumof 10 seconds.Please note thatwoods will have charring which is not harmful but may transferto your hands or anything else it touches. If desired, youmay sand thewood with the sandpaper we have in stock or usea sander. For acrylic sheets, peel off the protective film once ready for personal/project use.85 +== Cutting Path Adjustments == 132 132 133 - **RequiredPPE**forrubber:87 +Change the cutting path to match the design of your file. 134 134 135 - *LatexorNitrile gloves89 +Outside: Will cut outside the lines of your part by a user given offset. 136 136 137 - [[image:ppe_gloves.png||height="100"]]91 +Centerline: Will cut directly on the lines of your part. 138 138 139 - Once the job hasconcluded,allowthe fumestobe vented for a minimum of 30seconds. Please note that rubber materials will char as well andit is bestpractice to wear gloves whilehandling them. Rinsethe rubber cuts under water towash offas much charrededges as possible.93 +Inside: Will cut inside the lines of your 140 140 141 -If you need assistance, RPS staff are always present to help with advice! **Please ensure that you return hand tools to their proper locations, and turn off the machine once use is complete.** 95 += Machine Setup = 96 + 97 +== Turning Machine On == 98 + 99 +1. Place SD card with part file into the right side of the wazer jet machine. **(SD cards are not provided)** 100 +1. Twist the E-Stop button to where it releases, the screen should begin to turn on. 101 +1. Check that the button on the bottom right of the machine is set to "On" (if screen is still not turning on, consult a staff member) 102 + 103 +== Setting Up == 104 + 105 +1. On the starting screen there will be two options, "Select Cut File" and "Setup & Maintenance". Press the OK button to Select the Select Cut File option. 106 +1. Scroll down until the cursor is next to the file you created earlier, and hit OK 107 +1. Loosen the Nozzle securing knob, pull the nozzle up, and retighten the nozzle securing knob, press OK to home the nozzle 108 +1. Fill the grit hopper on the left side of the machine, hit OK 109 +1. Check to make sure the blue water valve is in line with the vertical pipe, hit OK 110 +1. Secure the material to the cut bed using the screws and a screwdriver, hit OK 111 +1. Now that the arrow keys can be used to move the nozzle over the material, remove the plastic cover off of the cutting head. 112 +1. Loosen the nozzle securing knob, and place the tab side of the plastic cover underneath the nozzle. 113 +1. Lower the nozzle until it makes contact with the plastic tab, and tighten the nozzle securing knob and place the plastic cover back on top of the cutting head. Hit OK. 114 +1. The next screen will have several options. Before doing anything else, **move the origin to the location of your choosing** 115 +1*. Move Origin - allows you to move the origin for the program to a location of your choosing. **DO THIS FIRST.** 116 +1*. Cut - sends you to the next screen where you must press the Start button to begin cutting. 117 +1*. Dry Run - Follows the exact cutting path of the program without firing the waterjet. 118 +1*. Check Extents - Outlines the bounding box of the area being cut 119 +1*. Restart cut - if the cut fails or stops in the middle, this will restart the program in the Dry Run state and will allow you to resume the cut at any point along the program. 120 +1*. Cancel - sends you back to the starting screen. 121 + 122 +== Run Part == 123 + 124 +***You must remain with the machine for the entirety of the cut* ** 125 + 126 +* It may be necessary to refill the water in the machine before running. Use the white 3 gallon bucket to pour more water into the tank directly. The water level should sit right below the surface of the bed. 127 +* Monitor the level of the grit while the part is running, if it's running low, machine will automatically stop the cut and shut off. 128 +* It is recommended to keep the hoppers topped off 129 +* If water starts pouring out from under the hoppers, the machine is having a backflow problem, **SHUT IT OFF with the E-Stop and notify RPS Staff.** 130 + 131 +== Clean Up == 132 + 133 +1. Remove your part and any excess material from the bed. 134 +1. Clean material and part(s) off by dunking them in the grit catchers/water bucket. **DO NOT wash grit down the sink.** 135 +1. Pull the grit catchers out and drain the excess water back into the tank. 136 +1. Once the majority of the water is drained, dump the grit into the orange 5 gallon bucket 137 +1. Place the grit catchers back into the machine. 138 + 139 +== == 140 + 141 +== Required PPE == 142 + 143 +* Close toed shoes 144 +* Eye glasses/goggles
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