WAZER vs. WAZER Pro: Which WaterJet Cutter Is Right For Me?
In this material breakdown, find out what, how thick, and how fast you can make custom cuts on the WAZER and WAZER Pro waterjet cutters.
What is Waterjet Cutting?
Waterjet cutting is an advanced industrial technique that utilizes a high-pressure stream of water to slice through various materials. When used without additives, it can efficiently cut softer materials such as wood and rubber. However, by incorporating an abrasive substance into the water stream, it becomes capable of cutting through tougher materials like stainless steel, aluminum oxide, and marble. In essence, waterjet cutting employs a precisely controlled, high-pressure water flow to achieve clean cuts across a broad spectrum of materials.
Video courtesy of WAZER.
How Does Waterjet Cutting Work?
At its core, a waterjet cutter functions by creating pressure and converting that pressure into velocity.
Step 1: Generate Pressure
Waterjets typically rely on high-pressure pumps to produce a water stream. These pumps can be either intensifier pumps or direct drive/crankshaft pumps. A direct drive pump uses plungers connected to a crankshaft to push water through high-pressure tubing. An intensifier pump, on the other hand, utilizes hydraulic oil to move a piston, which then propels water through a nozzle.
Step 2: Convert Pressure to Velocity
Once the water is pressurized, it travels through high-pressure tubing and exits the nozzle as a fine, powerful jet. For larger industrial waterjet cutters, this pressure can range from 50,000 to 90,000 PSI (pounds per square inch), while desktop versions typically operate at about 3,000 to 4,600 PSI.
Step 3: Incorporate Abrasives
To cut through tougher materials like stainless steel, glass, and stone, abrasive particles, often garnet, are introduced into the waterjet stream.
What Can Waterjet Cutting Be Used For?
Due to its speed and precision, waterjet cutting is employed across numerous industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, medical sectors, and even paper manufacturing.
In essence, if you require a material to be cut into an exact shape or design without the influence of heat, waterjet cutters offer an excellent solution.
Which WAZER Waterjet Cutter is Right for Me?
Both the WAZER Desktop and WAZER Pro are amazing waterjet cutting machines. They can both cut basically any material - the only difference is that the PRO can do more regarding the thickness of the material you are cutting, as well as the speed in which you want achieve said cutting.
To break it down simply:
WAZER Pro: Ideal for professional, engineering, or manufacturing uses. It can cut thicker materials at a faster rate when compared to the WAZER Desktop. It also collects all of the used abrasive during cutting, which allows for faster turnaround time and less cleanup/maintenance.
WAZER Desktop: Ideal for small batch production, small businesses, or workshops. The Desktop can cut any material that the Pro does, but it's not quite as fast, and it's limited in in material thickness capabilities. The plus - if you don't need to cut thicker materials, this price point is great for in-house waterjet cutting.
If you want to learn more, you can always reach out to sales@matterhackers.com to learn more about which one it right for you!
WAZER Material Breakdown - What Can I Cut on the WAZER?
The WAZER can cut nearly any material! How fast and how thick it can cut depends entirely on the material that you are using. We've selected some of the most popular materials below to compare the WAZER desktop and WAZER Pro - if you have a specific material that you are interested in learning about, please contact sales@matterhackers.com to learn more.
Waterjet cutting offers precise and versatile solutions for various materials and industries. Whether you choose the WAZER Desktop for smaller projects or the WAZER Pro for more demanding tasks, both machines deliver excellent performance.
For personalized guidance on selecting the right waterjet cutter for your needs, please contact sales@matterhackers.com.