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Changes for page Desktop Waterjet Cutting

Last modified by Zaara Hashmy on 2026/03/16 19:22
From version 9.2
edited by Zaara Hashmy
on 2026/03/16 17:57
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version 2.13
edited by Zaara Hashmy
on 2026/03/02 18:41
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

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1 1  |=(((
2 -(((
3 -WAZER Desktop Waterjet Cutting Machine
4 -)))
2 +{{{WAZER Desktop Waterjet Cutting Machine}}}
5 5  
6 -(((
7 7  [[Specs>>https://www.matterhackers.com/store/l/wazer-desktop-waterjet-cutter-machine/sk/MVN5VKM5]]
8 -)))
9 9  )))|=Working Area
10 10  (LxW)|=(% style="width: 376px;" %)Max Allowable Working Pressure|=(% style="width: 307px;" %)Max Working Flow Rate
11 11  |[[image:WazerPhoto.png||alt="omtechaf3555.jpeg" width="200"]]|(((
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25 25  
26 26  == ==
27 27  
28 -= About the Waterjet =
24 +== About the Waterjet ==
29 29  
30 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.--
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  
34 -**Advantages: (Needs to be edited still)**
30 +**Advantages:**
35 35  
36 36  * Laser cutting tool heads never touch the material, leave fairly clean cuts, and are highly accurate and repeatable.
37 37  * Laser cutting is far faster than manual cutting of the material, especially with repeated cuts in bulk materials.
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38 38  * Laser cutting allows for very small and intricate designs, which would be difficult or impossible with traditional cutting tools.
39 39  * Laser cutting allows for much more efficient material usage than hand cutting in many cases.
40 40  
41 -**Disadvantages: (needs to be edited still) **
37 +**Disadvantages:**
42 42  
43 43  * Our CO2 lasers can't cut metals, or materials that reflect/poorly absorb its wavelength at powers below 130W.
44 44  * 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.
45 45  * In most cases, CO2 lasers have difficulty penetrating cleanly through materials greater than 1/4 inch thick.
46 46  
47 -= Software and Usage Instructions =
43 +== Software and Usage Instructions ==
48 48  
49 -== Opening WazerCam ==
45 +Here is the link to the **[[How to Use Lightburn>>doc:How to Use LightBurn.WebHome]]** page, where you can learn how to use the software that tells the laser how to cut your part.
50 50  
51 -Open WazerCam website, [[WazerCam>>https://wam.wazer.com/wazercam]] , and enter the following login information.
47 +== OMTech Laser Settings (Long Focal Lens) ==
52 52  
53 -**Username:** RPSpublic
49 +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.
54 54  
55 -**Password:** RPSpublic
51 +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.
56 56  
57 -== File Import ==
53 +**Cutting Table**
58 58  
59 -Files uploaded must be in .dxf or .svg file types. Multiple files can be added at once using the "+" and "-" buttons.
55 +|=**Material**|=Speed|=Max Power|=Min Power|=Passes
56 +|1/8" (3 mm) Birch Plywood|45 mm/s|70%|35%|1
57 +|1/4" (6 mm) Birch Plywood|15 mm/s|70%|35%|1
58 +|1/16" (1.5 mm) Cast Acrylic|90 mm/s|70%|20%|2
59 +|1/8" (3 mm) Cast Acrylic|55 mm/s|70%|20%|2
60 +|1/4" (6 mm) Cast Acrylic|20 mm/s|70%|70%|2
61 +|1/16" (1.5 mm) Buna N Rubber|80 mm/s|70%|20%|1
60 60  
61 -[[image:1772478564567-669.png||height="269" width="557"]]
63 +**Engraving Table**
62 62  
63 -== Setting Scale and Positioning ==
65 +|=**Material**|=Speed|=Max Power|=Min Power|=Passes
66 +|Birch Plywood|475 mm/s|50%|35%|1
67 +|Cast Acrylic|550 mm/s|20%|20%|1
64 64  
65 -The following metrics can be adjusted within WazerCam:
69 +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.
66 66  
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. All X and Y movements are from the top left of your part. 
72 +[[image:omtech12.jpg||alt="https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/learning/omtech12.jpg" height="40%" width="40%"]]
70 70  
71 -**Scale:** Scale of parts can be changed by any magnitude
74 +== Dremel Laser Settings ==
72 72  
73 -**Height & Width**: Similar to scale, height and width can be changed independently.
76 +All settings are preset within the Dremel's IP address site.
74 74  
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 +== Unsafe Materials for Laser Cutting ==
76 76  
77 -[[image:1772478615037-166.png||height="266" width="554"]]
80 +* ABS
81 +* Beryllium oxide
82 +* Carbon
83 +* Chlorinated plastics
84 +* Coated carbon fiber
85 +* Coated materials
86 +* Epoxy-based or phenolic resins
87 +* Fiberglass
88 +* Fluorine-based plastics:
89 +** PTFE (Teflon)
90 +** Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)
91 +* Galvanized metal
92 +* HDPE (High-Density Poly Ethylene)
93 +* Leather, Artificial or Chrome tanned
94 +* Materials containing:
95 +** Astatine
96 +** Bromine
97 +** Chlorine
98 +** Fluorine
99 +** Formaldehyde
100 +* Wood containing:
101 +** Flame-retardants
102 +** Halogens
103 +** Iodine
104 +* Wood that has been:
105 +** Coated
106 +** Fumigated
107 +** Pressure-treated
108 +** Stained
109 +* Mirrored surfaces
110 +* Nylon
111 +* Painted material
112 +* Varnished materials
113 +* Particleboard, paneling
114 +* Polycarbonate
115 +* Polychloroprene (CR or chloroprene rubber, marketed under the brand name Neoprene)
116 +* Polypropylene foam
117 +* Polypropylene sheet
118 +* Polystyrene foam
119 +* Polyurethane
120 +* Polyurethane foam
121 +* Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
122 +* POM Delrin/acetyl
123 +* Rubber
124 +* Styrofoam
78 78  
79 -== Materials Selection ==
126 +== Post Processing ==
80 80  
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 +**Required PPE** for woods and acrylic:
82 82  
83 -[[image:1772478775055-319.png||height="264" width="550"]]
130 +* None
84 84  
85 -== Cutting Path Adjustments ==
132 +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.
86 86  
87 -Change the cutting path to match the design of your file.
134 +**Required PPE** for rubber:
88 88  
89 -**Outside:** Part will be cut outside the designated lines by a user given offset.
136 +* Latex or Nitrile gloves
90 90  
91 -**Centerline:** Part will be cut directly on the lines of your part.
138 +[[image:ppe_gloves.png||height="100"]]
92 92  
93 -**Inside:** Part will be cut inside the designated lines by a user given offset.
140 +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.
94 94  
95 -**No Cut:** Lines will not be cut
96 -
97 -
98 -
99 -[[image:1772479961994-308.png||height="242" width="554"]]
100 -
101 -== Tabs and Leads ==
102 -
103 -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.
104 -
105 -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.
106 -
107 -[[image:1773683858499-270.png||height="255" width="534"]]
108 -
109 -
110 -= Machine Setup =
111 -
112 -== Turning Machine On ==
113 -
114 -1. Place SD card with part file into the right side of the wazer jet machine. **(SD cards are not provided)**
115 -1. Twist the E-Stop button to where it releases, the screen should begin to turn on.
116 -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)
117 -
118 -== Setting Up ==
119 -
120 -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.
121 -1. Scroll down until the cursor is next to the file you created earlier, and hit OK
122 -1. Loosen the Nozzle securing knob, pull the nozzle up, and retighten the nozzle securing knob, press OK to home the nozzle
123 -1. Fill the grit hopper on the left side of the machine, hit OK
124 -1. Check to make sure the blue water valve is in line with the vertical pipe, hit OK
125 -1. Secure the material to the cut bed using the screws and a screwdriver, hit OK
126 -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.
127 -1. Loosen the nozzle securing knob, and place the tab side of the plastic cover underneath the nozzle.
128 -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.
129 -1. The next screen will have several options. Before doing anything else, **move the origin to the location of your choosing**
130 -1*. Move Origin - allows you to move the origin for the program to a location of your choosing. **DO THIS FIRST.**
131 -1*. Cut - sends you to the next screen where you must press the Start button to begin cutting.
132 -1*. Dry Run - Follows the exact cutting path of the program without firing the waterjet.
133 -1*. Check Extents - Outlines the bounding box of the area being cut
134 -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.
135 -1*. Cancel - sends you back to the starting screen.
136 -
137 -== Run Part ==
138 -
139 -***You must remain with the machine for the entirety of the cut* **
140 -
141 -* 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.
142 -* 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.
143 -* It is recommended to keep the hoppers topped off
144 -* 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.**
145 -
146 -== Clean Up ==
147 -
148 -1. Remove your part and any excess material from the bed.
149 -1. Clean material and part(s) off by dunking them in the grit catchers/water bucket. **DO NOT wash grit down the sink.**
150 -1. Pull the grit catchers out and drain the excess water back into the tank.
151 -1. Once the majority of the water is drained, dump the grit into the orange 5 gallon bucket
152 -1. Place the grit catchers back into the machine.
153 -
154 -== ==
155 -
156 -== Required PPE ==
157 -
158 -* Close toed shoes
159 -* Eye glasses/goggles
142 +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.**
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