RESOURCES > Maintenance > Procedures > Dry Abrasive

Resetting 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.

Tools needed

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

  • Cup with a volume of 250ml (8oz)

  • “High Flow Rate“ Abrasive Orifice

  • “Low Flow Rate“ Abrasive Orifice

Procedure

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

  2. Open Abrasive drawer.

3. Remove Abrasive Catch/Valve Slip cover.

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.

cup under.jpg
ControlPanelScreen-AbrasiveRate.png

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

  • If the valve simply doesn’t open consistently for the full 60 seconds, see (Machine Procedures > Pinch Valve Teardown.

  • The timer will count while the abrasive is flowing.

8. After 1 min, the Abrasive Flow finishes. Weigh the container with the Abrasive, then subtract the weight of the container. This is the abrasive flow rate per minute.

Resetting the Abrasive Flow Rate

9. The goal rate is 140 +/- 10 g/min (4.9 +/-0.3 oz/min)

  • If the abrasive rate is too high, replace the abrasive orifice with the one engraved with “L“

  • Low Flow Rate abrasive orifice decrease the flow rate by 10g/min

  • If the abrasive rate is too low, replace the abrasive orifice with the one engraved with “H“

  • High Flow Rate abrasive orifice increases the flow rate by 10g/min

  • If changing the abrasive orifice did not bring any changes in the abrasive flow rate, and the flow rate is consistently low, that means some other restriction presents. Contact customer support at support@wazer.com for assistance

abraisve orifice.jpg

10. Pour the collected abrasive back into the abrasive hopper.

11. Re-test the rate until you hit the target rate within the specified tolerance.

12. Once the target abrasive rate has been reached, replace the abrasive cover and close the Abrasive hopper.

put back catcher.jpg

Next Time

  • Over time the abrasive rate of the machine will gradually change to due to a variety of reasons, including but not limited to wear, backflow events, or clogs. Often the earliest indicator that the rate needs to be reset is that the abrasive hopper needs to be refilled more often than expected.  We recommend checking the abrasive rate after any clog or backflow, as either event can change the rate.

  • Proper cutting procedures will help prevent the abrasive rate from changing too soon. These include:
    - level the cutting bed and set proper nozzle height to prevent the Cutting Head from touching the material during operation
    - always make sure the hopper has proper amount of abrasive
    - note if the amount of abrasive used is much greater than predicted in WAM
    - always use sifting screens when adding abrasive

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

RESOURCES > Maintenance > Procedures