WAZER Pro Abrasive Waterjet Station
Quick-Reference Operator Card
1. Pre-Flight Safety & Station Setup Checklist
- [ ] PERSONAL SAFETY: High-pressure jet (10,000\text{ PSI}) severs skin instantly. NEVER open the lid or reach into the tank while the pump is active. Safety glasses and ear protection are mandatory.
- [ ] WATER SUPPLY & DRAINAGE: Verify incoming water supply valve is OPEN. Check dual drainage filter bags—ensure they are clean and not overflowing.
- [ ] ABRASIVE HOPPER: Verify hopper has a minimum of 5\text{ lbs} of DRY 80\text{ mesh} garnet. Ensure no water or clumps are present in the feed tube.
- [ ] MATERIAL CLAMPING: Secure material tightly using bed clamps. Unclamped sheet stock will float or shift due to water turbulence.
- [ ] TANK WATER LEVEL: Ensure water level covers the substrate by \approx 0.25” to minimize spray and operational noise.
2. Standard 5-Step Cutting Workflow
- PREPARE VECTOR FILE (WAM SOFTWARE) Import DXF/SVG into WAM software. Select material type, thickness, and desired edge quality (Fast / Medium / Fine). Save .gcode to SD Card.
- SET NOZZLE HEIGHT (0.060” / 1.5\text{ mm}) Place stock on bed. Lower nozzle manually over material until the metal touch calibration plate slides snugly between the nozzle tip and stock surface. Tighten nozzle height thumb-screw.
- SET JOB ORIGIN (0,0) Use control panel arrow keys to position nozzle tip over the desired bottom-left starting corner of raw stock. Press Set Home.
- EXECUTE CUT JOB Close enclosure cover, select file from control panel menu, confirm water and abrasive flow checks, and press START. Monitor jet piercing and abrasive flow continuously.
- POST-JOB FLUSH & CLEANUP Run a 30-second water-only flush cycle to clear lingering garnet from nozzle. Turn off water valve, unclamped part, and wash off residual garnet slurry over the rinse tray.
3. Material Speed & Cut Quality Matrix (80\text{ Mesh} Garnet Baseline)
| Substrate Material |
Thickness |
WAM Cut Quality |
Pierce Mode |
Key Operational Rule |
| 6061-T6 Aluminum |
1/8” \ (3.17\text{ mm}) |
Medium |
Standard Jet |
Fast, burr-free cuts. Excellent for internal chassis brackets. |
| 6061-T6 Aluminum |
1/4” \ (6.35\text{ mm}) |
Fine |
Standard Jet |
Smooth edge finish; minimal kerf taper (\approx 0.005”). |
| 304 Stainless Steel |
1/8” \ (3.17\text{ mm}) |
Fine |
Direct Pierce |
Slow feed rate prevents jet deflection gouging. |
| Carbon Fiber (CFRP) |
3\text{ mm} |
Fine |
Low-Pressure / Soft |
Prevents resin-matrix delamination at pierce entry points. |
| Borosilicate Glass |
6\text{ mm} |
Fine |
Soft Pierce / Water First |
Requires rubber under-bed mat; Tempered glass is strictly prohibited. |
| Copper / Brass |
1/8” \ (3.17\text{ mm}) |
Medium |
Standard Jet |
Easily cut with zero heat reflection hazards seen on lasers. |
4. Rapid Troubleshooting & Safety Interventions
| Emergency / Issue |
Root Cause |
Immediate Corrective Action |
| Nozzle Clogging (Water Backup) |
Wet garnet or clotted abrasive line. |
Press PAUSE/STOP. Remove nozzle assembly and clear clogged garnet using thin wire and water flush. |
| Severe Edge Taper / Incomplete Cut |
Worn carbide nozzle or low garnet flow. |
Check abrasive feed tube; inspect nozzle orifice diameter. Replace nozzle if bore exceeds 0.050”. |
| Tank Overflowing / High Water Level |
Clogged drainage filter bags. |
Pause job, clear drain line, and clean/replace particulate filter pouches. |
⚠️ HIGH PRESSURE & HAZARDOUS WASTE HAZARD: Never direct jet stream toward hands. Spent garnet slurry mixed with heavy metals (brass, copper, leaded alloys) must be dried and collected for proper hazardous waste disposal—never dump raw slurry down municipal drains. Report pump leaks, nozzle wear, or filter clogs to lab staff immediately.