Wazer: Revolutionizing Water Jet Cutting with the Wazer Pro
In 2016, Wazer disrupted the industry by introducing the world’s first desktop water jet cutter, defying the notion that water jet cutting and affordability were mutually exclusive. Garnering $1.3 million in pre-sales, Wazer quickly gained traction and now boasts over 3,000 units in use across 60 countries, catering to small workshop owners and major corporations like SpaceX and Tesla. Now, the company is taking another leap forward with the launch of the Wazer Pro.
The journey of Wazer began in 2012 as a research project at Penn Engineering, where co-founders Nisan Lerea and Matt Nowicki aimed to create 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 various materials. Building on this idea, Wazer launched its first-ever desktop water jet on Kickstarter in 2016, successfully raising over $1.3 million.
While the original Wazer received positive feedback, customers expressed concerns about maintenance. Addressing this feedback, the company introduced the Wazer Pro, designed to offer more power, increased productivity, and the ability to cut thicker materials. With over twice the cutting power of its predecessor, the Wazer Pro boasts a 2x to 4x improvement in cutting speed and can handle materials like aluminum, glass, plastic, tile, and up to ⅜-inch thick steel.
Lerea compares the Wazer Pro to a 21st-century version of the band saw, revolutionizing a tool that has remained unchanged for a century. Water jets have traditionally been limited to well-equipped workshops, but with Wazer’s innovation, high-precision cutting becomes accessible to a wider range of users and applications.
The Wazer Pro not only offers improved performance but also requires minimal maintenance. Its advanced abrasive collection system collects all the abrasive material during the cutting process, allowing users to continue working without major interruptions. Additionally, transitioning from the original Wazer Desktop to the Wazer Pro is seamless, as the new machine uses the same software. The company even offers a trade-up program, enabling existing customers to receive a significant discount on the Wazer Pro by trading in their old machines.
With a price tag of $18,999, the Wazer Pro remains significantly more affordable than traditional water jet cutters that can cost over $100,000. While the latter may have additional features like a larger cutting bed, many users find the compact size of the Wazer Pro sufficient for their needs.
Wazer’s growth has been remarkable, with around 40 employees split between its R&D facility in New York and production facility in Shenzhen, China. Since becoming profitable in 2019, the company has been able to fund its operations and development through cash flow, providing them with financial independence and the freedom to innovate and grow without external investment.
Looking ahead, Lerea envisions further innovation in the water jet space, with Wazer expanding its product line to cater to different applications and user needs. Surprisingly, one market segment that has embraced Wazer’s technology is art and design. Artists like Alison Eden, a glass artist in Brooklyn, have found value in using the Wazer to cut intricate glass pieces in their studios. The Wazer allows them to increase their throughput significantly compared to traditional hand-cutting methods.
With the launch of the Wazer Pro, Wazer continues to disrupt the water-cutting industry, challenging incumbents and making precision cutting accessible to a broader audience. The company’s commitment to customer feedback and continuous improvement positions them as a leader in the field, with potential for even greater innovation in the future.
