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Changes for page Desktop Waterjet Cutting

Last modified by Zaara Hashmy on 2026/04/13 18:09
From version 16.1
edited by Zaara Hashmy
on 2026/04/13 18:09
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version 9.2
edited by Zaara Hashmy
on 2026/03/16 17:57
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

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11 11  |[[image:WazerPhoto.png||alt="omtechaf3555.jpeg" width="200"]]|(((
12 12  305 mm x 460 mm
13 13  
14 -(12" x 18" in)
14 +(13" x 19" in)
15 15  )))|(% style="width:376px" %)(((
16 16  4,600 psi
17 17  
18 +
18 18  (317 bar)
19 19  )))|(% style="width:307px" %)0.45 GPM
20 -(1.7 L/min).  (at 4,000 psi)
21 +(1.7 L/min)
22 +\\(at 4,000 psi)
21 21  
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.
22 22  
26 +== ==
23 23  
24 24  = About the Waterjet =
25 25  
26 -[[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. 
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.--
27 27  
28 -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, effected by water in any way, or shatter under high pressure are not suitable for waterjet cutting.
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.
29 29  
30 -**Advantages:**
34 +**Advantages: (Needs to be edited still)**
31 31  
32 -* Waterjet cutting is a cold cutting process, meaning there is no heat-affected zone (HAZ), so the material’s mechanical and microstructural properties remain unchanged.
33 -* It can cut a wide variety of materials, including metals, ceramics, composites, glass, and polymers, making it extremely versatile.
34 -* It allows for thicker material cutting compared to many other methods (including laser cutting).
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.
35 35  
36 -**Disadvantages: **
41 +**Disadvantages: (needs to be edited still) **
37 37  
38 -* Waterjet cutting is generally** **slower than laser cutting, especially for thinner materials.
39 -* There can be a taper (slight angle) in the cut, especially in thicker materials, affecting edge perpendicularity.
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.
40 40  
41 41  = Software and Usage Instructions =
42 42  
43 -Here is the link to the **[[How to Use WazerCam>>https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/xwiki/bin/view/How%20to%20Use%20WazerCam/]]** page, where you can learn how to use the software that tells the laser how to cut your part.
49 +== Opening WazerCam ==
44 44  
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 +
61 +[[image:1772478564567-669.png||height="269" width="557"]]
62 +
63 +== Setting Scale and Positioning ==
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. All X and Y movements are from the top left of your part. 
70 +
71 +**Scale:** Scale of parts can be changed by any magnitude
72 +
73 +**Height & Width**: Similar to scale, height and width can be changed independently.
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) )
76 +
77 +[[image:1772478615037-166.png||height="266" width="554"]]
78 +
79 +== Materials Selection ==
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.
82 +
83 +[[image:1772478775055-319.png||height="264" width="550"]]
84 +
85 +== Cutting Path Adjustments ==
86 +
87 +Change the cutting path to match the design of your file.
88 +
89 +**Outside:** Part will be cut outside the designated lines by a user given offset.
90 +
91 +**Centerline:** Part will be cut directly on the lines of your part.
92 +
93 +**Inside:** Part will be cut inside the designated lines by a user given offset.
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 +
45 45  = Machine Setup =
46 46  
47 47  == Turning Machine On ==
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50 50  1. Twist the E-Stop button to where it releases, the screen should begin to turn on.
51 51  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)
52 52  
53 -== Setting Up ==
118 +== Setting Up ==
54 54  
55 55  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.
56 56  1. Scroll down until the cursor is next to the file you created earlier, and hit OK
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88 88  
89 89  == ==
90 90  
91 -== Required PPE ==
156 +== Required PPE ==
92 92  
93 93  * Close toed shoes
94 94  * Eye glasses/goggles
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