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Guide on how to use the ProtoMAX water jet in the Richards shop.

Download the Software

  1. Follow this link and start the download process:
    https://www.omax.com/libraries/omax/download/?srsltid=AfmBOop17lQhQaWEPGZ_Yzjimbz8PT23wkEOWm8y1wOeG9VxG-mrN-3S

  2. When this box appears click next with the default options selected:

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  1. Follow through with the installation and finish.

  2. You should see ProtoMAX LAYOUT on your desktop. This is the app we use to turn .dxf’s into OMX tool path files.

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Create a Part

  1. Open your part in SolidWorks and save as a .dxf with the outline of what you want cut out

  2. Open ProtoMAX LAYOUT

  3. Go to File > Import from other CAD and open the .dxf you just saved

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  1. Make sure the part looks correct. Notice how the part will be in green lines.

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  1. Click the AutoPath command to generate a toolpath. Your cuts will turn pink, lead in/out will be orange, and traverses will be green.

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  1. You can move or swap the direction of lead ins/outs by right clicking on the Lead i/o tool.

  2. Click Set Zero and select the point on the grid where you want your part origin to be. It will show up as a white + sign.

  3. Click on the Post button on the right and then select which of the two end points of the toolpath that you want to be the start.

  4. Make sure that all of your cuts are highlighted in red and that the green path still looks correct.

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  1. Notice how the red highlighting is centered on the white part outline so the cut will be line-on-line. TBD on how to change this lol

  1. Click save

Cut on the Machine

  1. Turn on the machine with the switch on the right side.

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  1. Open the laptop connected to the machine and open the ProtoMAX MAKE software. Make sure the USB is connecting the machine to the laptop.

  2. Click on the red home button to move the nozzle of the machine to its home point.

  3. Set the machine zero to this home position by clicking zero for the User Home position. (User Home is the machine’s zero and Path Start is the zero of your part’s cut path)

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  1. Put your stock on the bed of the machine lining the bottom left corner up with the machine’s bottom and secure it down. (For fusible links, use the small magnets to hold the nickel down.)

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  1. Jog the nozzle using the arrow keys to put it where you want the path zero to be then click zero for the Path Start position.

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  1. do dry run

  2. set z height

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  1. make sure tube is connected to nozzle head and flip lemon down

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  1. close lid

  2. run

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  1. rinse part and take it out

How to Unclog the Nozzle

https://knowledgebase.omax.com/protomax/content/wh-protomax/operatortraining/recoverfromnozzleclog.htm

  1. disconnect abrasive tube from nozzle head and from hopper

  2. make sure garnet is dry still

  3. blow out the bottom of the hopper with an air hose to make sure its dry and unclogged

  4. reinstall hopper to machine

  5. blow air through the abrasive tube from the hopper side to the nozzle side to get any water out

  6. pull lemon down and off

  7. use allen key to loosen thumb screw and wiggle nozzle out

  8. run a test cut to clear out head of waterjet. make sure machine head is positioned between two slats of the bed

  9. reinstall nozzle upside down in the head of the machine. tighten thumb screw

  10. run a test cut to clear out nozzle. make sure the flow appears uniform

  11. reinstall nozzle correctly in the machine

  12. run a final test

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