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1 -Much like 3D printers, laser cutters need a slicing program to convert vector files into movement instructions for a given machine. Our program of choice is [[Lightburn>>url:https://lightburnsoftware.com/]], as it's UI is intuitive, the most important settings are readily available, and it's easy to set up for new users.
1 +Much like 3D printers, waterjet cutters need a slicing program to convert vector files into movement instructions for a given machine. Our program of choice is [[WazerCam>>https://wam.wazer.com/wazercam]], as it's UI is intuitive, the most important settings are readily available, and it's easy to set up for new users.
2 2  
3 -== Installation ==
3 +== Setting up for RPS use ==
4 4  
5 -Versions of Lightburn for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS are available at their [[downloads page>>url:https://lightburnsoftware.com/pages/download-trial]]. Every **new** user is allowed a free 30 day trial period with full access to all features. After that, a **lifetime** license key can be purchased for $120 [[here>>url:https://lightburnsoftware.com/products/lightburn-dsp]]. You can always access Lightburn on the computers in the RPS for free. Students with a reservation for a laser cutter may also come in to prepare their file on one of our workstations beforehand. During laser-training, we will walk you through using Lightburn, and we are always here to help should any issues arise.
5 +=== Opening WazerCam ===
6 6  
7 -== Setting up for RPS use ==
7 +Open WazerCam website, [[WazerCam>>url:https://wam.wazer.com/wazercam]] , and enter the following login information.
8 8  
9 -==== New Device Setup ====
9 +**Username:** RPSpublic
10 10  
11 -Download the setup file [[here>>url:https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/learning/laser1.lbdev]]. Open Lightburn, click //Import//, and select the //Laser 1// file. Alternatively, use the step-by-step instructions below to set up your laser device.
11 +**Password:** RPSpublic
12 12  
13 -Machine controller type: **Ruida**
13 +== Usage ==
14 14  
15 -Working area: **1400x900mm (XY)**
15 +== File Import ==
16 16  
17 -Connection Method: **Packet/USB**
17 +Files uploaded must be in .dxf or .svg file types. Multiple files can be added at once using the "+" and "-" buttons.
18 18  
19 -(% style="width:969.6px" %)
20 -|=(% style="width: 323px;" %)(((
21 -**Step 1**
22 -)))|=(% style="width: 319px;" %)(((
23 -**Step 2**
24 -)))|=(% style="width: 325px;" %)(((
25 -**Step 3**
26 -)))
27 -|(% style="width:323px" %)[[image:lightburn3.png||height="288" width="289"]]|(% style="width:319px" %)[[image:lightburn5.png||height="295" width="296"]]|(% style="width:325px" %)[[image:lightburn4.png||height="302" width="303"]]
19 +[[image:1772478564567-669.png||height="269" width="557"]]
28 28  
29 -==== Additional Setup ====
21 +== Setting Scale and Positioning ==
30 30  
31 -Job origin: **Back Right (upper right)**
32 -Start From: **User Origin**
23 +The following metrics can be adjusted within WazerCam:
33 33  
34 -[[image:lightburn_2.png]]
25 +**Rotation:** the angle which the part needs to be rotated to
35 35  
36 -Download the **material settings** with this link: [[Lightburn Library Material Settings>>url:https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/machines/lightburn_library_material_settings.clb]]. You can import these settings to Lightburn as part of the setup process. Click //Library// in the bottom right then click //Load// to load this file. All material settings should import to your library. To change the material type, click the desired material and click //Assign//.
27 +**X & Y positions:** The top left of the screen represents 0. All X and Y movements are from the top left of your part. 
37 37  
38 -If you will be using Lightburn more in the future, "linking" materials to certain colors has proven to be useful. Highlight the shape and click //Link//. This will allow you to assign colors to different materials, thicknesses, and cuts/engravings.
29 +**Scale:** Scale of parts can be changed by any magnitude
39 39  
40 -== Usage ==
31 +**Height & Width**: Similar to scale, height and width can be changed independently.
41 41  
42 -Compared to 3D printing, the slicing process is quite simple, as there are far less parameters to take into account. Despite that, using the laser still requires utmost caution, as improper settings will lead to ineffective cutting at best, and will start a fire at worst.
33 +(Be aware of total physical space that the waterjet will occupy on a material, taking into account the width of the cut itself (kerf) )
43 43  
44 -We have a [[list>>doc:CO2 Laser Cutters.WebHome]] of recommended laser settings for a variety of materials. For materials not on the list that do not produce any [[toxic gasses>>url:https://cpl.org/wp-content/uploads/NEVER-CUT-THESE-MATERIALS.pdf]], we typically run some tests using small (10x10mm) square test cuts, adjusting laser power/speed until a satisfactory cut is produced.
35 +[[image:1772478615037-166.png||height="266" width="554"]]
45 45  
46 -We recommend watching the many great [[video tutorials>>url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdqMW3F_iIU]] that demonstrate basic Lightburn usage if you would like to learn more.
47 -
37 +== Materials Selection ==
48 48  
49 -=== The basic premise: ===
39 +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.
50 50  
51 -* Load SVG or DXF vector file **in millimeters**. This will most likely come from an engineering drawing in [[Solidworks>>https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/xwiki/bin/view/Exporting%202D%20Files%20From%20Solidworks/]] that must be exported in millimeters as well. **Always double check units once imported**.
52 -* Adjust laser cut power & speed and number of passes in the bottom right corner based on the [[OMTech laser settings>>url:https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/Machines/CO2_Laser_Cutters]].
41 +[[image:1772478775055-319.png||height="264" width="550"]]
53 53  
54 -​​​​​​​​​​​​​​[[image:lightburn_img.png]]
43 +== Cutting Path Adjustments ==
55 55  
56 -* - Cut: set mode to //Line//
57 -- Engrave: set mode to //Fill//
45 +Change the cutting path to match the design of your file.
58 58  
59 -To change the paths' order of cutting, select the shape you want to cut first and color it differently. A new cut layer will appear on the right. Move that new color to the top of the list, which will code this cut as the first part of the job
47 +**Outside:** Part will be cut outside the designated lines by a user given offset.
60 60  
61 -​​​​​​​[[image:lightburn_img2.png||height="406" width="745"]]
49 +**Centerline:** Part will be cut directly on the lines of your part.
62 62  
63 -* To preview the job, press //Alt+P// which will show the exact path the laser will take. A good rule of thumb is to start with smaller, inner-most cuts and make the large, outer cuts last. This will ensure clean, quality cuts and prevent warping of inner cuts that still need to be made.
51 +**Inside:** Part will be cut inside the designated lines by a user given offset.
64 64  
53 +**No Cut:** Lines will not be cut
65 65  
55 +[[image:1773683954161-404.png||height="254" width="527"]]
66 66  
67 -​​​​​​​[[image:lightburn_img3.png||height="581" width="726"]][[image:https://wikijs.rapidprototypingstudio.com/learning/lightburn_img4.png||height="577" width="722"]]
57 +== Tabs and Leads ==
68 68  
59 +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.
69 69  
70 -* Once file is ready, insert USB into your computer and click //Save to RD file//
61 +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.
62 +
63 +[[image:1773683858499-270.png||height="255" width="534"]]
64 +
65 +[[image:1773683891726-308.png||height="257" width="534"]]
66 +
67 +== Cut ==
68 +
69 +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.
70 +
71 +This is the final step in file preparation, and file naming and downloading are done at this stage. A virtual cut path simulation will also be available for viewing. 
72 +
73 + [[image:1773688664148-514.png||height="257" width="534"]]
74 +
75 +
76 +* - Cut: set mode to //Line//
77 +- Engrave: set mode to //Fill//
78 +
79 +To change the paths' order of cutting, select the shape you want to cut first and color it differently. A new cut layer will appear on the right. Move that new color to the top of the list, which will code this cut as the first part of the job
80 +
81 +​​​​​​
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