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Changes for page Desktop Waterjet Cutting

Last modified by Zaara Hashmy on 2026/03/16 19:22
From version 7.1
edited by Riley Haynes
on 2026/03/04 22:32
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version 11.9
edited by Zaara Hashmy
on 2026/03/16 19:15
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

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21 21  (1.7 L/min)
22 22  \\(at 4,000 psi)
23 23  
24 -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.
25 25  
26 -== ==
27 27  
28 28  = About the Waterjet =
29 29  
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 +[[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. 
31 31  
32 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.
33 33  
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66 66  
67 67  **Rotation:** the angle which the part needs to be rotated to
68 68  
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.
67 +**X & Y positions:** The top left of the screen represents 0. All X and Y movements are from the top left of your part. 
70 70  
71 71  **Scale:** Scale of parts can be changed by any magnitude
72 72  
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74 74  
75 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) )
76 76  
77 -[[image:1772478615037-166.png]]
75 +[[image:1772478615037-166.png||height="266" width="554"]]
78 78  
79 79  == Materials Selection ==
80 80  
81 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.
82 82  
83 -[[image:1772478775055-319.png]]
81 +[[image:1772478775055-319.png||height="264" width="550"]]
84 84  
85 85  == Cutting Path Adjustments ==
86 86  
87 87  Change the cutting path to match the design of your file.
88 88  
89 -Outside: Will cut outside the lines of your part by a user given offset.
87 +**Outside:** Part will be cut outside the designated lines by a user given offset.
90 90  
91 -Centerline: Will cut directly on the lines of your part.
89 +**Centerline:** Part will be cut directly on the lines of your part.
92 92  
93 -Inside: Will cut inside the lines of your
91 +**Inside:** Part will be cut inside the designated lines by a user given offset.
94 94  
95 -= Machine Setup (not done :0 ) =
93 +**No Cut:** Lines will not be cut
96 96  
97 -The Long focal length lens in our large-format OMTech laser cutter allows for more efficient cuts in thicker materials. However, this comes at the cost of a slightly large spot size, and thus, less fine engraving abilities.
98 98  
99 -Use the table below to input the correct values for your material. Note that for engraving, the thickness does not matter, because it won't cut all the way through. We also have sample engravings at various settings in the RPS if you would like to change the depth or darkness of the engraving. Keep in mind that the depth and color might not be exact, as they depend highly on laser focus and various other environmental parameters that cannot be controlled.
96 +[[image:1773683954161-404.png||height="254" width="527"]]
100 100  
101 -**Cutting Table**
102 102  
103 -|=**Material**|=Speed|=Max Power|=Min Power|=Passes
104 -|1/8" (3 mm) Birch Plywood|45 mm/s|70%|35%|1
105 -|1/4" (6 mm) Birch Plywood|15 mm/s|70%|35%|1
106 -|1/16" (1.5 mm) Cast Acrylic|90 mm/s|70%|20%|2
107 -|1/8" (3 mm) Cast Acrylic|55 mm/s|70%|20%|2
108 -|1/4" (6 mm) Cast Acrylic|20 mm/s|70%|70%|2
109 -|1/16" (1.5 mm) Buna N Rubber|80 mm/s|70%|20%|1
99 +== Tabs and Leads ==
110 110  
111 -**Engraving Table**
101 +Tabs are a connection point between your part and where it's being cut on the material. Tabs keep your part in place while being cut, and improve the overall cut accuracy by preventing your part from popping up or out of place. The default settings are that all cut paths receive a single tab, with the size based on the material, however tabs can be manually adjusted as well.
112 112  
113 -|=**Material**|=Speed|=Max Power|=Min Power|=Passes
114 -|Birch Plywood|475 mm/s|50%|35%|1
115 -|Cast Acrylic|550 mm/s|20%|20%|1
103 +A Lead refers to the distance that a cut will made away from the Cut Path. This is done to make sure that the pierce at the start of a cut does not remove any excess material on your part. The Lead’s location and size are designated with a blue indicator.
116 116  
117 -Settings can be changed within Lightburn or on the physical OMTech Laser in the highlighted portion on the display screen. Please consult with a technician before changing speeds and power on the machine.
105 +[[image:1773683858499-270.png||height="255" width="534"]]
118 118  
107 +[[image:1773683891726-308.png||height="257" width="534"]]
119 119  
120 -[[image:omtech12.jpg||alt="https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/learning/omtech12.jpg" height="40%" width="40%"]]
109 +== Cut ==
121 121  
122 -== Dremel Laser Settings ==
111 +There are three setting selections for cut quality: Coarse, Medium, and Fine. Cut rate and cut quality have an inverse relationship; a faster Cut leads to lower quality, and better quality requires a slower Cut. The page includes cut details such as rate, time, abrasive use, cut cost, and cut extents.
123 123  
124 -All settings are preset within the Dremel's IP address site.
113 +This is the final step in file prep,
125 125  
126 -== Unsafe Materials for Laser Cutting ==
127 127  
128 -* ABS
129 -* Beryllium oxide
130 -* Carbon
131 -* Chlorinated plastics
132 -* Coated carbon fiber
133 -* Coated materials
134 -* Epoxy-based or phenolic resins
135 -* Fiberglass
136 -* Fluorine-based plastics:
137 -** PTFE (Teflon)
138 -** Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)
139 -* Galvanized metal
140 -* HDPE (High-Density Poly Ethylene)
141 -* Leather, Artificial or Chrome tanned
142 -* Materials containing:
143 -** Astatine
144 -** Bromine
145 -** Chlorine
146 -** Fluorine
147 -** Formaldehyde
148 -* Wood containing:
149 -** Flame-retardants
150 -** Halogens
151 -** Iodine
152 -* Wood that has been:
153 -** Coated
154 -** Fumigated
155 -** Pressure-treated
156 -** Stained
157 -* Mirrored surfaces
158 -* Nylon
159 -* Painted material
160 -* Varnished materials
161 -* Particleboard, paneling
162 -* Polycarbonate
163 -* Polychloroprene (CR or chloroprene rubber, marketed under the brand name Neoprene)
164 -* Polypropylene foam
165 -* Polypropylene sheet
166 -* Polystyrene foam
167 -* Polyurethane
168 -* Polyurethane foam
169 -* Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
170 -* POM Delrin/acetyl
171 -* Rubber
172 -* Styrofoam
116 += =
173 173  
174 -== Post Processing ==
118 += Machine Setup =
175 175  
176 -**Required PPE** for woods and acrylic:
120 +== Turning Machine On ==
177 177  
178 -* None
122 +1. Place SD card with part file into the right side of the wazer jet machine. **(SD cards are not provided)**
123 +1. Twist the E-Stop button to where it releases, the screen should begin to turn on.
124 +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)
179 179  
180 -Once the job has concluded, allow the fumes to be vented for a minimum of 10 seconds. Please note that woods will have charring which is not harmful but may transfer to your hands or anything else it touches. If desired, you may sand the wood with the sandpaper we have in stock or use a sander. For acrylic sheets, peel off the protective film once ready for personal/project use.
126 +== Setting Up ==
181 181  
182 -**Required PPE** for rubber:
128 +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.
129 +1. Scroll down until the cursor is next to the file you created earlier, and hit OK
130 +1. Loosen the Nozzle securing knob, pull the nozzle up, and retighten the nozzle securing knob, press OK to home the nozzle
131 +1. Fill the grit hopper on the left side of the machine, hit OK
132 +1. Check to make sure the blue water valve is in line with the vertical pipe, hit OK
133 +1. Secure the material to the cut bed using the screws and a screwdriver, hit OK
134 +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.
135 +1. Loosen the nozzle securing knob, and place the tab side of the plastic cover underneath the nozzle.
136 +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.
137 +1. The next screen will have several options. Before doing anything else, **move the origin to the location of your choosing**
138 +1*. Move Origin - allows you to move the origin for the program to a location of your choosing. **DO THIS FIRST.**
139 +1*. Cut - sends you to the next screen where you must press the Start button to begin cutting.
140 +1*. Dry Run - Follows the exact cutting path of the program without firing the waterjet.
141 +1*. Check Extents - Outlines the bounding box of the area being cut
142 +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.
143 +1*. Cancel - sends you back to the starting screen.
183 183  
184 -* Latex or Nitrile gloves
145 +== Run Part ==
185 185  
186 -[[image:ppe_gloves.png||height="100"]]
147 +***You must remain with the machine for the entirety of the cut* **
187 187  
188 -Once the job has concluded, allow the fumes to be vented for a minimum of 30 seconds. Please note that rubber materials will char as well and it is best practice to wear gloves while handling them. Rinse the rubber cuts under water to wash off as much charred edges as possible.
149 +* 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.
150 +* 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.
151 +* It is recommended to keep the hoppers topped off
152 +* 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.**
189 189  
190 -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.**
154 +== Clean Up ==
155 +
156 +1. Remove your part and any excess material from the bed.
157 +1. Clean material and part(s) off by dunking them in the grit catchers/water bucket. **DO NOT wash grit down the sink.**
158 +1. Pull the grit catchers out and drain the excess water back into the tank.
159 +1. Once the majority of the water is drained, dump the grit into the orange 5 gallon bucket
160 +1. Place the grit catchers back into the machine.
161 +
162 +== ==
163 +
164 +== Required PPE ==
165 +
166 +* Close toed shoes
167 +* Eye glasses/goggles
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