Wazer is a relatively new company (it began as a Kickstarter project) that I first came across at IMTS 2018 last fall. I was impressed with both the machine itself, its low functional requirements (110V and a little water), as well as the crowds it attracted throughout the week.
The result of a design project of a group of University of Pennsylvania graduates, WAZER is the first desktop waterjet that cuts a wide variety of hard or soft material with a high level of precision. Initially the team was looking for an easy-to-use tool that could make precision cuts in hard materials. Existing desktop digital tools like 3D printers and laser cutters work well for soft materials, but the only affordable method for cutting metal, glass and stone was to use hand operated tools, both of which are time consuming and inaccurate.
“We set out to create the very first desktop waterjet cutting machine. WAZER is not just a low-cost tool for hobbies and prototypes – we wanted to empower individuals to turn ideas into durable, finished goods,” said co-founder Nisan Lerea.
Wazer Co-Founders: Matt Nowicki (L) and Nisan Lerea (R)
The founders of WAZER built race cars at UPenn and spent hundreds of hours cutting sheet metal by hand. Penn Engineering did not have a waterjet cutter because they’re so big and expensive. So, they built a small one as a school project. After graduating and a couple years of development at HAX accelerator, WAZER created the first desktop waterjet. It’s the only desktop machine that cuts virtually everything, including steel, titanium, aluminum, glass, stone, tile and carbon fiber.
Traditional waterjets cost upwards of $100,000 and are too large and messy to fit in most workshops. WAZER costs $7,500. Since WAZER is so affordable compared to traditional waterjets, it makes it accessible to small businesses and schools who want to iterate quickly on designs without having to spend time and money sending their projects out to be made by an external waterjet service.
WAZER is also suited for manufacturers. The WAZER provides professional solutions that keep their large machines running while their WAZER is used for prototyping and providing low-volume manufacturing.
Wazer in Action
WAZER’s high-velocity jet uses a combination of high-pressure water and sand-like abrasive particles to cut through the workpiece, achieving a high level of digital precision. WAZER has a cut area of 12” x 18” and is capable of cutting up to ½” Aluminum and ¼” Mild Steel.
WAZER is easy to set up with no special electrical or water requirements. It runs on 110V AC / 60Hz and all you need is a water source like a sink or a hose pipe along with a drain. If you have a sink and two outlets you are ready to go. WAZER is compact and contained, it’s fully enclosed, making it safe, clean and quiet to operate.
WAZER takes standard drawing files like .svg or .dxf and cuts out the digital profile with a high-velocity jet that uses a combination of high pressure water and sand-like abrasive particles to cut through the workpiece.
WAZER is the only desktop machine that cuts virtually everything, including steel, titanium, aluminum, glass, stone, tile, and carbon fiber. The waterjet machine is compact, self contained, and fits in any small workshop. It’s fully enclosed, making operation safe, clean, and relatively quiet.
Highlights of the Wazer desktop waterjet cutter include:
- WAZER is affordable at only $7500, compared to traditional waterjets costing upwards of $100,000.
- WAZER is the only desktop machine that cuts virtually everything, including steel, titanium, aluminum, glass, stone, tile and carbon fiber.
- WAZER achieves detail and accuracy impossible by hand while freeing users to complete other tasks.
- WAZER is compact and contained. The waterjet fits in any small workshop. It’s fully enclosed, making it safe, clean and quiet to operate.
- WAZER costs around $10 an hour to operate all in. This factors in consumable cost $8 an hour for the Garnet Abrasive and $2 an hour for wear on replacement parts like the Cutting Beds and Nozzle Assembly.
- WAZER includes it’s simple to use and free web-based software called Wam, helping users go from design file to cut in five minutes.
- Penn Engineering now owns a waterjet cutter.
Wazer’s cutting area is 12″ x 18″ and kerf (width of cut) is 0.044″
Price for the Wazer desktop waterjet starts at $7,500, a good price for a machine with this level of design and capabilities.
About WAZER
WAZER is a New York based startup offering professional-grade desktop fabrication tools to small manufacturers and workshops everywhere. More information on the company is available at www.wazer.com.