Common Q&A regarding WAM operation

WAM is WAZER’s proprietary cut file generation application. You may think of it as a CAM software specifically designed for WAZER. As with any other piece of software, there is a learning curve, and it may take some time to get the hang of it. Over the years, we have collected several commonly asked questions and have answered them here. If you have any other questions or uncertainties, please feel free to reach out to support@wazer.com

1. How do I register a WAM account?

Please refer to this page for more information on WAM account registration

2. How come my serial number “cannot be found”?

Please ensure you have keyed in the correct software serial number from the first page of your user manual.

While Machine serial numbers have the format as “MxxxxxxxxAA“ or “M15xxxxxxx“, Pump serial numbers have the format as “PxxxxxxxAA“ or “P15A/Bxxxxxxx“, Software serial numbers are randomnly generated alphanumeric codes.

If you enter the machine serial number (the one starts with M), or the pump box serial number (the one starts with P), WAM will show “Serial Number not Found”

3. How many accounts can be registered? Why does WAM show “Machine User Limit Reached”?

Each software serial number can support 3 full accounts, and limitless “public accounts“.

If your software serial has been registered on 3 different full accounts, a fourth person will not be able to use this serial number to complete account creation.

If this happens, please choose “public account” to register, or reach out to support@wazer.com to let us know that more full accounts are needed in your group or company.

4. What are "Public Account" and "Full Account"?

The main difference between these two account types is access to the material library. Full account users have the ability to add in new entries in the material library, while public account users do not. For more information, please refer to this page

5. I forgot my password, how do I reset my password?

You may reset your password by clicking the “forgot your password” button, or contacting WAZER customer service at support@wazer.com.

6. Is there an offline version? Is internet necessary for WAM operation?

Currently WAM is still an internet browser based CAM application. An Internet connection is necessary for WAM operation.

7. What cloud service does WAM use?

WAM uses AWS services.

8. Is my design file uploaded to external servers during the WAM operation?

Your design files are not uploaded to any servers during the WAM operation. All computing and adjustment are done locally on your computer.

The only data uploaded to our cloud server is the metadata at the beginning of G code. This metadata  is used to make sure WAM is working correctly

9. Why are my files are not loading into WAM?

Only SVG and DXF files can be uploaded to WAM. More specifically, only the vector components are readable by WAM. Other features such as bitmap images, shapes, text in SVG, or annotations in a DXF, are not compatible with WAM.  

Next, check for layers. WAM is a 2D vector CAM application, thus multiple layers will cause trouble in WAM. Upon exporting, please flatten features on all layers onto one layer, and delete double lines if there are any.  

Additionally, some SVG and DXF versions are not compatible. For example, Illustrator SVG or R28 and later DXF. Please export SVG as plain SVG, and DXF as version R27 or earlier.

Please check out the following page for more information:

• File import checklist

• DXF generation

• SVG generation

If you have any doubt, feel free to reach out to support@wazer.com.

10. Why is my design file loading into WAM with the incorrect size?

If the scaling is off in your design file, it will show up too large or too small in WAM. A quick way to ensure this does not happen, is always measure the features in your respective design software before exporting. Make sure the maximum width is less than 12” or 300 mm, and the maximum length is less than 18” or 450mm.

Please refer this page for more information on sizing and scaling.

11. Why are design files deformed after uploading to WAM?

This may be a version compatibility or a layering issue. Please flatten all features onto one single layer, and change the export file type to plain SVG, or R27 DXF.

Please refer to following pages for more information

• File import checklist

• DXF generation

• SVG generation

12. Is any data collected by WAZER during WAM usage?

The only data uploaded to our cloud server is the metadata at the beginning of a generated G code file. This metadata is only used to estimate machine activity. Please refer to this page for more information on metadata.

13. What are inside cut path and outside cut path?

Please refer to this page for more information on cut path settings.

14. Why does my cut file fail to show inside or outside cut line?

WAM can only distinguish the “inside” and “outside” of an enclosed feature. If the feature is not enclosed, or has multiple layers, WAM will have trouble setting “inside” and “outside”.

A non-enclosed feature can be due to a discontinuity or overlapping vectors lines

Please see the picture below as a non-closed cut feature due to discontinuation of vector lines.

15. Can you select different parts of a cut file for "inside" and "outside" cut path?

In the current WAM version (WAM 1.5), you may select split function to separate independent features from a single cut file. Then you will be able to select different cut paths for different features.

If you cannot split, the cut line setting will be imposed on all features within a same SVG/DXF.

16. What is “no cut”?

No cut is a cut path option to tell WAM to overlook the feature. This allows you to use a feature as a reference for other features you would like to cut. This is accomplished by selecting the reference as a “no cut”. This way you will only have the desired feature cut out, in the correct placement relative to your reference.

An example of how "no cut" can be used will be provided in question 17.

17. What if I would like to cut an internal feature on a pre-defined stock?

Please refer to this "Tips and tricks" article for details.

18. What is "offset" in cut path selection?

Please refer to this page for more information on offset.

19. What is the starting point/origin?

The starting point and origin of the g code are two drastically different items. Let’s talk about “origin” first:  

For all cut features, the origin is the top left corner of the bounding box. The bounding box is an imaginary rectangular box that completely covers the cut feature. It is normally displayed as a black box with dotted lines. Please see the picture below.

The X and Y coordinates shown in the “scale and position” menu are the coordinates of the origin on the cut bed. The units are in mm or inches, and the Y coordinate is actually in the negative. You can imagine that the cut bed is in the forth quadrant. For example “0,0” means the origin of the cut feature is on the top left corner of the cut bed. (20, 20), means the origin is 20mm to the right, 20mm to the bottom of the top left corner of cut bed.

Please refer to this page for more information on origin.

The “start point” is where the machine decided to start a cutting motion. Normally the machines will start on a tab with a lead. This will be explained in detail in Question 22.

20. How do I key in a new material entry?

Please refer to this page for more information.

21. If I am cutting a new material, but I do not want to test cut and key a new setting, what can I do?

If you want a quick cut on a previously untested material, you may choose a similar material setting in WAM, and use it to run the cut.

For example, if you have a piece of tool steel that you do not know its rating, you could choose stainless 316 of equivalent thickness. Of course, such estimation may bring about over-cutting or partial cutting.

Please pay close attention while the machine is cutting. If you see any tail cutting happening, quickly adjust the feed rate by pressing the "up" or “down” arrow key.

22. How can I set where the cutting starts/ends on one cut feature?

WAM sets the starting point and end point on one side of a tab. If you would like to set the start/end points on a specific cut profile, please manually place in tabs.  

If you wish, you can set the tab size to be minuscule, so less post-processing is needed.  You can also set a very long lead-in to start the cutting away from your intended cut line. Please see the attached screen shot as an example.

If no tabs are placed, WAM will randomly select a point to start. This may result in a large pierce hole on the cut line.

23. How do I prioritize feature and define which profile to be cut first?

You may have noticed that when multiple cut profiles co-exist in one cut file, such as cut outs and holes on one part, WAM may sort the cut sequence randomly. But in most cases, WAM will choose to complete the internal cut, before cutting out the outer circumference.  

If you would like to prioritize one cut over another, there are two ways to work-around this:

1. Editing the g code.

2. Splitting one cut file into independent sub-files with individual features, and import them into WAM by the order you desire

Since both practices are very manually involved, and may interfere with machine operation if not performed properly, we highly suggest contacting WAZER customer support at support@wazer.com before attempting to edit the cut sequence.

24. I am cutting glass, I may need very small tabs and long leads. How do set long lead-ins and minuscule tabs?

You may set the tab size directly in “tabs and leads” drop down menu in WAM. Simply key in the desired tab width, and manually place the tab on the position on the cut line. Then you will have the small tabs you want.

In order to set the leads, select “add/edit material”, then choose the material setting you would like to edit, or create a new material entry. Then you will be able to set the lead-in length and tab width in the menu.  

After the operation above, you will be able to see the extra long lead-in and small tab reflected on the virtual cut bed.

If you are unsure about this step, or do not want to mess with the material library, please let the customer support team know. We shall provide step-by-step illustrations to help you with this. 

For more information on material setting adjustment, please refer to this page.

25. Why are my cut time estimates and abrasive wrong?

In WAM 1.5, there is a bug that manifests itself in the form of incorrect cut time estimates and abrasive usage. After selecting the manual tab, and adjusting the tab placement in the virtual cut bed, the cut time estimate and abrasive usage may be incorrect. The “no tab” and “automatic tab selections” are not affected.

26. How do I make sense of the generated g code?

After downloading the cut file, please open it up in notepad (PC) or TextEdit (mac), and you will see all of the g code commands.  

Then you can copy paste all the g code command into ncviewer.com. The detailed steps can be found on this page.

27. What do the g codes and m codes command mean?

For more information about the g code and m code command, please refer to this page.

28. Why does the feed rate changes throughout the cut file/g code?

The “F” command in a cut file is the speed setting, and the number behind it is the feed rate in mm/min. You will see the that number change throughout the cut file.  

This is because the cut speeds at straight lines, curves and corners have been optimized to achieve the best cut results. Simply put, cut speed is reduced at curves and corners to ensure the material is cut through completely. For more information about how the cut quality is optimized, please refer to this page.

If you visualize the cut file in ncviewer.com, and view the cut animation, you will be able to see the cut speed variation in visually. 

29. How are holes prepared in WAM? Why are some holes cut in circles, while some are just pierced? What is the cut-off radius/diameter?

Holes smaller than 1.5mm will be treated as a pierce operation. That means that the gantry system will not move and draw out a circle, but will stay put and pierce the material, then move on to the next position.  

However, if you choose inside or outside cut line, and the resulting cut profile is more than 1.5mm in diameter, WAM will generate the cut line as a circle.

Please refer to this page  for more information. 

30. Why is my computer slowing down when I select “cut path” and tabs?

WAM may cause a RAM capacity problem , which can affect your computer’s performance. Please try out these solutions one by one:  

1. Check the design file (SVG or DXF) is one layer. Or you can load a previously working design file and see if that one works. Multiple-layer files, files with repeated patterns, or files with too many complex features may consume RAM and slow down your computer.

2. Try logging out of your account and log in again.

3. Try using WAM in another browser. Some browsers, such as google chrome, are particularly RAM hungry. If the same problem persists in another browser, then the issue is not browser based.

4. Check your internet connection. WAM requires data transmission during the upload and download, the rest of the operation is done locally.

31. Why does my G code generated in WAM double/triple cut when run?

When there are double lines or multiple lines hidden in one cut feature, for example, when two or three circle features are on top of each other, WAM will faithfully convert all circles into cut command.  

Sometimes double lines will also interfere “inside” and “outside” cut line selection.  

Always check in your design software that no double lines exists. You can also use NCviewer.com to visualize the g code, and the animation will display any double cutting in real time.

The steps of G code visualization can be found in this page.