RESOURCES > Maintenance > Procedures > Dry Abrasive

Checking the Abrasive Rate

WAZER does not actively monitor and measure its abrasive flow rate. However, the abrasive flow rate is a critical parameter, so you should check and monitor this regularly. It is also one of the first things to check if your cut performance has seemed to change. This rate will need to be updated from time to time simply because of normal wear or from an unexpected event such as a backflow.

Required Tools

  • Scale w/ accuracy of +/- 0.5g (+/-0.02oz) and capacity of at least 200g ( 7 oz)

  • Cup with a volume of 250ml (8oz)

  • 2.5mm hex key


  1. If the Abrasive Hopper is empty, please add a small amount of Abrasive (>1lb).

  2. Open Abrasive drawer.

  3. Remove Abrasive Valve Slip Cover.
    [NOTICE] If your abrasive valve does not look like the one pictured, please contact customer support through our ticketing system in order to have the upgrade sent to you. If you still have the older plug style and try to remove the head in this fashion, it will cause damage to your valve.

4. Select Setup and Maintenance.

5. Select Abr. Flow Rate.

ControlPanelScreen-SetupAndMaintenance.png
ControlPanelScreen-Maintenacne-AbrFlowRate.png

6. Place (or hold) a cup or container below the Abrasive Valve.

ControlPanelScreen-AbrasiveRate.png

7. Now hit okay to begin the flow of abrasive.

  • If the valve simply doesn’t open consistently see Machine Procedures > Pinch Valve Teardown.

  • The timer will count while the abrasive is flowing.

  • After the 1 min Abrasive Flow test weigh the container with the Abrasive, then subtract the weight of the container.

  • This is the mass of abrasive rate per minute.

  • The goal abrasive rate is between 130 g/min - 150 g/min (4.58 oz/min - 5.29 oz/min) if you are using Barton Alltek HPA 80.

    • If you are using Longhe 80# abrasive from WAZER, the target is 100-110g / min.

    • If you are using third party abrasive, the rate may be varied.

    • If the value you recorded is just outside of the range it could be variations in the abrasive and may still work.

  • If the rate is much lower than that you should investigate your Dry Abrasive system for the problem. If it is higher then that your Abrasive Orifice likely is worn out, contact Support for a replacement.

Next Time

  • Over time the abrasive rate of the machine will change to due to a variety of reasons, including but not limited to wear, backflow events, or clogs. Often the earliest indication that the abrasive orifice will need to be changed is that you find yourself refilling the abrasive hopper more often than expected.  We also recommend checking the abrasive rate after any clog or backflow, as either event can change the rate.

  • Practicing good cutting procedures will help prevent the abrasive rate from getting clogged and changing the abrasive rate. These include:
    - avoiding the Cutting head from touching the material by taking care to level you cutting bed and setting your nozzle height,
    - avoiding letting the abrasive hopper run out,
    - paying attention to the amount of abrasive used in comparison to what WAM predicts the usage to be,
    - and always using your sifting Screens when adding abrasive.

  • Beyond that, normal wear and tear is a part of any machine tool and is to be expected.

Dry Abrasive Priming & Flow-rate Resolution

If the flow-rate is not within the ideal range it is due to a couple different reasons. The most common are the following!

  1. Abrasive Orifice. If the orifice is worn, missing, or clogged it will affect the flow-rate. Some spare abrasive orifice come with every WAZER - Check the black tool kit for these parts and refer to the link here to correct the flow-rate with the orifice.

  2. Rubber Drop Tube. If the drop tube is sticking (due to idle time), or clogged it will affect the flow-rate. Sometimes a quick clearing is all that’s needed to unstick the drop tube sides.

    To quickly address a stuck drop tube, follow the steps below!

  1. Hold the abrasive pinch valve open by depressing the button and keeping it held in.

2. While keeping the pinch valve open, insert a small non-sharp tool into the top side of the rubber drop tube. Lightly swivel the tool around tube at the center in a circular motion 2-3 times.

3. Insert the same tool into the bottom side of the rubber drop tube (While keeping the pinch valve open manually) and repeat the same swiveling motion.

If the abrasive flow-rate is not within 130-150g/min after addressing a stuck tube, it means the drop tube is deformed. The drop tube can be replaced by following the link here. A spare drop tube is found in the black tool kit received with your WAZER.

RESOURCES > Maintenance > Procedures