Desktop Waterjet Cutting
WAZER Desktop Waterjet Cutting Machine | Working Area (LxW) | Max Allowable Working Pressure | Max Working Flow Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 305 mm x 460 mm (13" x 19" in) | 4,600 psi (317 bar) | 0.45 GPM (1.7 L/min) (at 4,000 psi) |
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.
About the Waterjet
Waterjet cutting 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.
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.
Advantages: (Needs to be edited still)
- Laser cutting tool heads never touch the material, leave fairly clean cuts, and are highly accurate and repeatable.
- Laser cutting is far faster than manual cutting of the material, especially with repeated cuts in bulk materials.
- Laser cutting allows for very small and intricate designs, which would be difficult or impossible with traditional cutting tools.
- Laser cutting allows for much more efficient material usage than hand cutting in many cases.
Disadvantages: (needs to be edited still)
- Our CO2 lasers can't cut metals, or materials that reflect/poorly absorb its wavelength at powers below 130W.
- 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.
- In most cases, CO2 lasers have difficulty penetrating cleanly through materials greater than 1/4 inch thick.
Software and Usage Instructions
Opening WazerCam
Open WazerCam website, WazerCam , and enter the following login information.
Username: RPSpublic
Password: RPSpublic
File Import
Files uploaded must be in .dxf or .svg file types. Multiple files can be added at once using the "+" and "-" buttons.
Setting Scale and Positioning
The following metrics can be adjusted within WazerCam:
Rotation: the angle which the part needs to be rotated to
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.
Scale: Scale of parts can be changed by any magnitude
Height & Width: Similar to scale, height and width can be changed independently.
(Be aware of total physical space that the waterjet will occupy on a material, taking into account the width of the cut itself (kerf) )
Materials Selection
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.
Cutting Path Adjustments
Change the cutting path to match the design of your file.
Outside: Will cut outside the lines of your part by a user given offset.
Centerline: Will cut directly on the lines of your part.
Inside: Will cut inside the lines of your
Machine Setup (not done :0 )
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.
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.
Cutting Table
| Material | Speed | Max Power | Min Power | Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8" (3 mm) Birch Plywood | 45 mm/s | 70% | 35% | 1 |
| 1/4" (6 mm) Birch Plywood | 15 mm/s | 70% | 35% | 1 |
| 1/16" (1.5 mm) Cast Acrylic | 90 mm/s | 70% | 20% | 2 |
| 1/8" (3 mm) Cast Acrylic | 55 mm/s | 70% | 20% | 2 |
| 1/4" (6 mm) Cast Acrylic | 20 mm/s | 70% | 70% | 2 |
| 1/16" (1.5 mm) Buna N Rubber | 80 mm/s | 70% | 20% | 1 |
Engraving Table
| Material | Speed | Max Power | Min Power | Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birch Plywood | 475 mm/s | 50% | 35% | 1 |
| Cast Acrylic | 550 mm/s | 20% | 20% | 1 |
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.
Dremel Laser Settings
All settings are preset within the Dremel's IP address site.
Unsafe Materials for Laser Cutting
- ABS
- Beryllium oxide
- Carbon
- Chlorinated plastics
- Coated carbon fiber
- Coated materials
- Epoxy-based or phenolic resins
- Fiberglass
- Fluorine-based plastics:
- PTFE (Teflon)
- Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)
- Galvanized metal
- HDPE (High-Density Poly Ethylene)
- Leather, Artificial or Chrome tanned
- Materials containing:
- Astatine
- Bromine
- Chlorine
- Fluorine
- Formaldehyde
- Wood containing:
- Flame-retardants
- Halogens
- Iodine
- Wood that has been:
- Coated
- Fumigated
- Pressure-treated
- Stained
- Mirrored surfaces
- Nylon
- Painted material
- Varnished materials
- Particleboard, paneling
- Polycarbonate
- Polychloroprene (CR or chloroprene rubber, marketed under the brand name Neoprene)
- Polypropylene foam
- Polypropylene sheet
- Polystyrene foam
- Polyurethane
- Polyurethane foam
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- POM Delrin/acetyl
- Rubber
- Styrofoam
Post Processing
Required PPE for woods and acrylic:
- None
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.
Required PPE for rubber:
- Latex or Nitrile gloves
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.
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.