In the past, “water jet cutting” and “affordable” were never used in the same sentence. However, that all changed in 2016 with the launch of Wazer. The company introduced the world’s first desktop water jet cutter, which quickly gained traction and exceeded expectations by pre-selling $1.3 million worth of units.
Fast-forward to present day, Wazer boasts over 3,000 cutters in use across 60 countries. Their customers range from small workshop owners to major corporate giants like SpaceX and Tesla. And now, the company has announced their latest model: Wazer Pro, an upgrade from its predecessor.
The journey of Wazer began in 2012 as a research project at Penn Engineering. Co-founders Nisan Lerea and Matt Nowicki were determined to develop a low-cost, small-format water jet for the university’s machine shop. The goal was to provide students with a tool capable of cutting precise parts in a variety of materials. The idea took off, and by 2016, Wazer successfully launched the world’s first-ever desktop water jet through a Kickstarter campaign, ultimately raising over $1.3 million.
One common complaint about the original Wazer was the hassle of maintenance. For example, removing the slurry from the bottom of the cutter needed improvement. This led to the development of the Pro model. According to Lerea, this new and improved version addresses the feedback received from their loyal customer base. These customers desired more power, improved productivity, and the ability to cut thicker materials. Wazer delivered on all fronts, offering over twice the cutting power of the original machine. This results in a cutting speed increase of 2x to 4x and the capability to handle thicker materials like aluminum, glass, plastic, tile, and even steel up to ⅜-inch thick.
One of the most notable advantages of Wazer’s water jet cutters is their size – they can easily fit into most workshops. According to Lerea, the Wazer Pro is like a 21st-century version of the band saw, a go-to tool in workshops for over a century.
“We’re reinventing the band saw. It’s a tool that’s been around for 100 years, unchanged. You are still manually feeding in sheets of material,” says Lerea. “A water jet, because it can cut any material, it really is the right technology for a universal 21st-century band saw.”
As someone who has used industrial-scale water jets regularly for prototyping and fabrication, I couldn’t agree more. Water jets are superior in many use cases, but until now, only well-equipped workshops had access to them. The idea of making high-precision cutting accessible to a broader audience and a wider range of applications is genuinely exciting.
More productivity, more power
“This machine requires the least amount of maintenance compared to any water jet, which significantly increases productivity,” shares Lerea. The Wazer Pro also features an advanced abrasive collection system that collects all the abrasive material during the cutting process. This means users can easily dispose of the collected material and continue working without any major interruptions.
For existing Wazer Desktop users, transitioning to the Pro model will be seamless. It uses the same software, making it easy for users to adapt. Wazer also offers a trade-up program, allowing current customers to receive a significant discount on the Wazer Pro in exchange for their old machines.
“We want our existing customers to enjoy the benefits of improved productivity without having to spend an additional $19,000,” explains Lerea. He also adds that while the upgrade program primarily benefits their customers, a side effect is that it enables Wazer to refurbish and resell the traded-in units.
With a price tag of $18,999, the Wazer Pro remains significantly more affordable than traditional water jet cutters that can cost upwards of $100,000. Of course, a $100,000 unit will have features that Wazer does not, such as a considerably larger cutting bed. However, it turns out that many people do not require an enormous water cutter.
Wazer’s growth has been remarkable. The company now employs around 40 people, split between their R&D facility in New York and production facility in Shenzhen, China. Since their last funding round in 2019, Wazer has been profitable, funding their operations and development through cash flow. This financial independence has allowed them to innovate and grow without the constant pressure of seeking external investment.
Looking ahead, Lerea foresees many opportunities for further innovation in the water jet space. He suggests that Wazer envisions a comprehensive product line of water jets tailored to various applications and user needs.
One surprising market segment that has embraced Wazer’s technology is the world of art and design. Lerea shared the story of Alison Eden, a glass artist in Brooklyn who uses Wazer to cut intricate glass pieces in her studio.
“Every single piece used to be cut by hand, but with Wazer, she can produce four times as much,” Lerea reveals. Eden is the perfect example of the type of user who would not need an industrial-size water jet, but who can increase their productivity with a desktop-size device.
With the launch of the Wazer Pro, Wazer continues to make waves in the water-cutting industry, challenging the incumbents and making high-precision cutting more accessible and cost-effective.
