Wiki source code of Desktop Waterjet Cutting

Version 7.1 by Riley Haynes on 2026/03/04 22:32

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version	line-number	content
2.3	1	\|=(((
7.1	2	(((
	3	WAZER Desktop Waterjet Cutting Machine
	4	)))
2.9	5
7.1	6	(((
2.9	7	[[Specs>>https://www.matterhackers.com/store/l/wazer-desktop-waterjet-cutter-machine/sk/MVN5VKM5]]
7.1	8	)))
2.3	9	)))\|=Working Area
2.2	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
1.1	13
2.2	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
1.1	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
2.4	26	== ==
1.1	27
3.2	28	= About the Waterjet =
2.4	29
2.6	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.--
1.1	31
2.12	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.
1.1	33
2.14	34	Advantages: (Needs to be edited still)
1.1	35
	36	* Laser cutting tool heads never touch the material, leave fairly clean cuts, and are highly accurate and repeatable.
	37	* Laser cutting is far faster than manual cutting of the material, especially with repeated cuts in bulk materials.
	38	* Laser cutting allows for very small and intricate designs, which would be difficult or impossible with traditional cutting tools.
	39	* Laser cutting allows for much more efficient material usage than hand cutting in many cases.
	40
2.14	41	Disadvantages: (needs to be edited still)
1.1	42
	43	* Our CO2 lasers can't cut metals, or materials that reflect/poorly absorb its wavelength at powers below 130W.
	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	* In most cases, CO2 lasers have difficulty penetrating cleanly through materials greater than 1/4 inch thick.
	46
2.15	47	= Software and Usage Instructions =
1.1	48
2.15	49	== Opening WazerCam ==
1.1	50
2.15	51	Open WazerCam website, [[WazerCam>>https://wam.wazer.com/wazercam]] , and enter the following login information.
	52
	53	Username: RPSpublic
	54
	55	Password: RPSpublic
	56
	57	== File Import ==
	58
	59	Files uploaded must be in .dxf or .svg file types. Multiple files can be added at once using the "+" and "-" buttons.
	60
5.2	61	[[image:1772478564567-669.png\|\|height="269" width="557"]]
	62
3.2	63	== Setting Scale and Positioning ==
2.15	64
	65	The following metrics can be adjusted within WazerCam:
	66
	67	Rotation: the angle which the part needs to be rotated to
	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.
	70
2.16	71	Scale: Scale of parts can be changed by any magnitude
2.15	72
3.2	73	Height & Width: Similar to scale, height and width can be changed independently.
2.15	74
6.2	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) )
5.2	76
	77	[[image:1772478615037-166.png]]
	78
3.2	79	== Materials Selection ==
2.16	80
3.2	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.
1.1	82
6.2	83	[[image:1772478775055-319.png]]
3.2	84
7.1	85	== Cutting Path Adjustments ==
6.2	86
6.4	87	Change the cutting path to match the design of your file.
6.3	88
6.5	89	Outside: Will cut outside the lines of your part by a user given offset.
6.4	90
6.5	91	Centerline: Will cut directly on the lines of your part.
	92
	93	Inside: Will cut inside the lines of your
	94
3.2	95	= Machine Setup (not done :0 ) =
	96
1.1	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
	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.
	100
	101	Cutting Table
	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
	110
	111	Engraving Table
	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
	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.
	118
	119
	120	[[image:omtech12.jpg\|\|alt="https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/learning/omtech12.jpg" height="40%" width="40%"]]
	121
	122	== Dremel Laser Settings ==
	123
	124	All settings are preset within the Dremel's IP address site.
	125
	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.