Using a Waterjet for Pumpkin Carving

Looking to elevate your Halloween project? Want to find new ways to use your waterjet?

This Instructable will show you how to use a waterjet machine to carve a pumpkin!

Thank you to Georgia Tech Invention Studio for the idea and equipment.

Materials

1. Large pumpkin

Equipment

1. Waterjet Machine
2. 2 long metal rods
3. Pumpkin carving kit, or knife and spoon

Choose a large pumpkin. Carve out the top of the pumpkin using a knife, making sure to carve at an angle so the top will not fall into the pumpkin.

Remove the seeds from the pumpkin using a pumpkin carving kit, or a large spoon.

Insert two metal rods along the vertical axis of the pumpkin. These will be used to hold the pumpkin down in the waterjet.

Choose a black-and-white image to be carved out. You can use software such as Illustrator, Inkscape, or something that comes with your waterjet.

It is best to choose an image without many closed loops, since any closed loop will be carved out from the pumpkin.

Import the image into your preferred 2D vector software. Trace the image and concert it into a vector format. Then, change the shape to have no fill and a red outline, or whatever your waterjet software would interpret as "cut".

Import the vector file into your waterjet software.

Change the quality of the cut to Scribe, so that the waterjet will only use water (no garnet or abrasive) for the cut.

Set the cut to begin in the middle of the pumpkin or part of the design that will be cut out.

Change the Scribe speed to 200in/min and low pressure to true.

Set up your waterjet for a cut. Zero x and y home to the center of the pumpkin, and z home to the top of the pumpkin.

Weigh down the rods inserted into the pumpkin so it would stay in place during the cut.

Remove pieces of pumpkin in the waterjet and clean the pumpkin.

Place a candle in the pumpkin and enjoy a spooky Halloween with your waterjet pumpkin!