Omax ProtoMax User manual

PROTOMAX
WATER JET CUTTER
Workarea: 300 x 300 mm
Max. Thickness: 25mm
Possible Materials: Metals, Carbon Fiber,
Plastics, etc.

PAGE 2
SAFETY
●Never operate equipment without safety guards or covers.
●Never place your hands in the vicinity of the nozzle while
cutting.
●Do not make any modifications.
●Safety goggles and rubber gloves mandatory.

PAGE 3
LAYOUT SOFTWARE
Importing a file
●Click on [Import from other CAD]
to load your file.
You will need a .dxf file.
●After selecting the path to your
design, a preview is shown.
If needed use the checkboxes on
the left to modify it.
●When you are done click [Ok].
●Your design will be shown on the
main screen.
●Select now your design by clicking
on [Select] and then [All].
All lines should be selected
(marked in yellow).

PAGE 4
LAYOUT SOFTWARE
Cleaning the design
●Click on [Clean] on the toolbar.
●The standard setting should be
sufficient.
●Next click [Start].
Design size
The size of the design can be modified
using the [Size] tool on the left.
Moving around
Using the [Move] tool we move our
design close to the lower left corner
(white cross).
Click once for the start position and a
second time for the final position.

PAGE 5
LAYOUT SOFTWARE
Cut settings
Everything that should be cut needs to
have a cut quality assigned. Press the
[Q] button in the bottom and select your
desired quality.
3 Should be sufficient.
Higher number mean higher quality, so
longer processing time and costs.
Cut path
Now we can create the toolpath using
the [Autopath] tool. The green lines that
are shown are the transit paths (no
cutting).
Preview
Use the [Render] tool in the bottom to
check if the file was interpreted
correctly.
What is shown will be your result.

PAGE 6
LAYOUT SOFTWARE
Saving the design
When you are happy with the preview
use the [Post] button on the right.
Select the starting point. The point must
be an end point. Make sure to always
use the point so that the inner parts are
cut first.
You will be once more prompted with a
preview. If you are happy with it use the
[Save] button on the lower left to save
your design as an .omx file.

PAGE 7
TURNING ON THE MACHINE
First insert the big power connector that
is placed under the table right of the
machine into the connector on the wall.
The humming noise is normal.
Ensure that the plug right, labeled “Pump”
is also connected.
Next you can turn on the machine using
the big red switch on the right side.
If the machine doesn’t turn on it can be
because of a circuit breaker, in this case
you can ask a manager for help.
You can check if the machine is turned on
by taking a look at the light inside the
machine.

PAGE 8
TURNING ON THE MACHINE
Check that both black water valves are in
the close position as shown here.
If they are closed, you can open the blue
valve until the end. An orange ring should
be visible.
Lift the nozzle so that is it above the metal
slats.

PAGE 9
MAKE SOFTWARE
On start
When the machine is turned on it needs
to homed. Close the warning window by
clicking [Ok].
Click on the red box in the top left
corner to start the homing process.
REMEMBER:
Every time the machine is moving the
lid neets to be closed.
Wear the safety glasses and rubber
gloves when working on the machine.
The machine will move around. Make
sure that it will not hit anything. Once the
machine is done the window on the right
is shown.

PAGE
10
MAKE SOFTWARE
Units
If the unit at the bottom show [inches]
use the [Configure Display & Units]
option to change it.
Similar to before you can easily set the
units to “mm”.
From the get go you are presented with
a sample file.
Use the [Change Path Setup] to select
your own design (.omx file you just
created).
The file will be saved in the folder from
where the original file was imported.

PAGE
11
Material settings
Navigate to the location of your file and select it.
A preview of the design and path will be displayed.
At this point it is important to select the material on the lower left section.
Also ensure the material thickness is correct.
MAKE SOFTWARE

PAGE
12
PREPARING THE MACHINE
Filling the vat
Using the hose on the right valve fill the machine vat until 1 cm below the metal slats.
Ensure that the overrun with the spongy tip on the right is moved all the way up.
Flushing the machine
Next the machine needs to be flushed. To do so use the arrow keys on the keyboard to
move the cutting head to the middle and place it between 2 metal slats.
1 cm
Open valve to
have water in
the machine
Open valve
on the right to
have water in
hose.

PAGE
13
PREPARING THE MACHINE
Remove the plastic tube from the cutting head and place it on top of the axis so that is
can not drop into the water.
Release the head unit and move it to about 5 mm above the metal slats using the big
black knob. Make sure that the head unit does not crash into the slats.

PAGE
14
PREPARING THE MACHINE
On the computer click on [Test].
Select the first option and press [Next].
Double check that the abrasive tube is
removed and secured, and that the cutting
unit is between two slots.
Then press [Start Test].
The Test will take 60 seconds and finish
automatically.

PAGE
15
PREPARING THE MACHINE
After the test is done open the door and
install the abrasive tube as shown on the
picture. Ensure that the tube is
completely inserted in the cutting unit.
Afterwards follow the same test process
as before.
As soon as you can see abrasive (sand
particles) moving in the tube you can
stop the test.
Next place your material in the machine
and secure it using the clamps from the
side. Ensure the clamps are only located
at the edges.
Then move the cutting unit using the
arrow keys on the computer to your
desired starting position
i.e. the starting point in your file.
Be careful not to crash.
Using the [Zero] buttons on the left you
can set your [Home] and [Start] position.

PAGE
16
CUTTING
With you file loaded click on [Begin
Machining].
In the window that shows up right click
[Start]
Here you have the chance to make a dry
run. A dry run is mandatory before any
cutting.
During the dry run check that there are no
collision. You can see the progress on the
screen. After the dry run is done use the [Go
Home] button to get back to the correct
starting position.

PAGE
17
CUTTING
If the dry run was successful and you moved
to the home position you now need to adjust
the cutting unit to the correct height.
Use the stand-off tool.
The nozzle needs to touch it but you need to
still be able to move it away.
Bend the orange split guard to flip it over.
Then move it down so it touches the surface.
Add water to the machine until the material
is about 5 mm covered by water.
Use the [Begin Machining] button and press
start to start machining.
Supervise the machine while it is cutting.

PAGE
18
CUTTING
When the machine is done cutting use the
arrow keys to move the cutting unit out of
the way.
Be careful removing the parts as they are
sharp edged.
Try not to lose small parts inside of the
water.
Once more remove the abrasive tube and
secure it on top.
Then run the [Test Cutting Head] routine to
clean the nozzle.
Lower the water level so that the metal slats
are 1 cm above the water level by lowering
the overflow.
Please ensure that the water level is not
lowered more than necessary to avoid water
waste.
Pay attention to the water filter, it should
pump water. If it doesn’t’ it will spill out.

PAGE
19
CLEANING UP
Use water and paper towels to clean the
machine. Please do not use cleaning agents.
Close all the water valves. Make sure that
the blue valve does not show an orange
ring.
Then turn off the machine and unplug the
big power plug.

PAGE
20
FILLING UP THE ABRASIVE
If the abrasive sand is too little you can fill it up by using the big cup near the waterjet.
Only fill up the abrasive sand if is necessary and when the machine is off.