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Changes for page Desktop Waterjet Cutting

Last modified by Zaara Hashmy on 2026/03/16 19:22
From version 7.2
edited by Zaara Hashmy
on 2026/03/16 17:54
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version 7.1
edited by Riley Haynes
on 2026/03/04 22:32
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

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1 -XWiki.ZaaraH
1 +XWiki.riley_haynes_
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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||height="266" width="554"]]
77 +[[image:1772478615037-166.png]]
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||height="264" width="550"]]
83 +[[image:1772478775055-319.png]]
84 84  
85 85  == Cutting Path Adjustments ==
86 86  
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92 92  
93 93  Inside: Will cut inside the lines of your
94 94  
95 -= Machine Setup =
95 += Machine Setup (not done :0 ) =
96 96  
97 -== Turning Machine On ==
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 -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)
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.
102 102  
103 -== Setting Up ==
101 +**Cutting Table**
104 104  
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.
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
121 121  
122 -== Run Part ==
111 +**Engraving Table**
123 123  
124 -***You must remain with the machine for the entirety of the cut* **
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
125 125  
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.**
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.
130 130  
131 -== Clean Up ==
132 132  
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.
120 +[[image:omtech12.jpg||alt="https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/learning/omtech12.jpg" height="40%" width="40%"]]
138 138  
139 -== ==
122 +== Dremel Laser Settings ==
140 140  
141 -== Required PPE ==
124 +All settings are preset within the Dremel's IP address site.
142 142  
143 -* Close toed shoes
144 -* Eye glasses/goggles
126 +== Unsafe Materials for Laser Cutting ==
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
173 +
174 +== Post Processing ==
175 +
176 +**Required PPE** for woods and acrylic:
177 +
178 +* None
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.
181 +
182 +**Required PPE** for rubber:
183 +
184 +* Latex or Nitrile gloves
185 +
186 +[[image:ppe_gloves.png||height="100"]]
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.
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.**