Case study
Built to pass CSA inspection. Six years later, they ordered a second.
An architectural glass factory in Toronto · Ontario, Canada · First machine installed in February 2017
Customer background
The factory is in Toronto, Canada. It produces tempered, laminated, bent tempered and back-painted glass as well as custom architectural glass, and also offers waterjet cutting services.
What the customer needed
Before the machine could go into use at the factory, it had to pass CSA inspection. This is Canada's electrical safety requirement, and a strict one: for example, every electrical component on the machine had to be CSA- or UL-certified.
The customer also asked whether maintenance support was available locally in North America.
What we did
We did not use a standard electrical design. We designed a complete electrical system specifically for this machine, selected every electrical component from CSA- or UL-certified models, and went through several rounds of review and revision of the electrical drawings with a CSA engineer.
Once the machine had been manufactured and commissioned at our factory, an engineer from CSA China came to inspect it. It passed CSA Special Inspection and received its CSA label before shipment: the first machine in December 2016, the second in June 2023.
Both machines had cleared CSA before they reached the customer, and that is what gave the customer confidence.
Machines and configurations
In late June 2016, the customer chose a 4 × 2 m 3-axis model with an added Automatic Abrasive Removal System, and returned the signed contract on July 1.
| Item | First machine | Second machine |
|---|---|---|
| Model | WCM-P60II+B-G4020 | WCM-P60III+B-G4020-ECS-CSA |
| Ordered | July 2016 | November 2022 |
| Intensifier pump | WCM-P60II+B, with a standby intensifier | WCM-P60III+B, with a standby intensifier |
| Cutting table | G4020 · 4000 × 2000 mm | G4020 · 4000 × 2000 mm |
| Cutting head | 3-axis cutting head | 3-axis cutting head |
| CNC system | XL | ECS CNC System |
| Standard | abrasive delivery system; transformer for 600 V / 60 Hz / 3-phase supply | abrasive delivery system |
| Added | Backup Omron PLC; oil chiller; water deionization system; automatic abrasive removal system | water chiller (CSA-certified) |
| CSA Special Inspection | December 2016, at our factory | June 2023, at our factory |
Both machines were delivered through our exclusive partner in Canada, Atwood Sales Inc. (GEM Glass Machines), and carry the partner's GEM JET brand.
Installation and service
Our engineers traveled to Toronto to install and commission both machines: the first in February 2017, the second in March 2024.
Since the machines went into use, no further engineer visits have been needed. In Canada, Atwood is the customer's point of contact, and VICHOR provides technical support.
The result: a repeat order six years later
In May 2022, the customer began looking at a second machine. After weighing two cutting heads, cutting table sizes, certification and abrasive removal methods, they ordered one in November, with the same cutting table size as the first.
What this case shows
- A waterjet made in China can meet Canada's CSA requirements: the electrical system was designed to those requirements, and a CSA engineer inspected and approved the machine at our factory and applied the CSA label before shipment.
- After six years of use, the customer bought again: the same cutting table size, with the configuration updated to the then-current models.
- In Canada, buyers work with our local partner Atwood, and VICHOR provides technical support.
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