Whitehouse Machine Tools Wins Mitsubishi Electric EDM Agency

Whitehouse Machine Tools is now the sales and service agent for Mitsubishi Electric’s wire-cut and die-sink EDM equipment in the UK and Ireland, expanding its portfolio of CNC machine tools and manufacturing solutions. The agreement brings Mitsubishi Electric’s EDM range alongside Whitehouse’s existing machine tool brands, including Brother, Spinner and Biglia.  

To maintain continuity for customers, experienced specialists Scott Elsmere and Dean Barnes have joined the company, bringing decades of technical sales and applications expertise with Mitsubishi Electric EDMs. Machines like the Mitsubishi Electric MV2400S wire-cut EDM, offer general machining accuracy of 3 µm or better and surface roughness down to Ra 0.3 µm. 

Mitsubishi Electric introduced its first commercial die-sink EDM machine in 1964, followed by its first wire-cut model in 1972. The company has since manufactured 75,000 EDM machines for use across sectors including aerospace, automotive, medical devices and precision toolmaking. Its technology incorporates energy-saving features that can reduce power consumption by up to 40%. 

Whitehouse has also invested in a dedicated, manufacturer-trained service division covering its machine tool brands across the UK and Ireland. The team will provide engineering support, spare parts and applications expertise for Mitsubishi Electric EDM customers. 

Peter Smith, sales & marketing director at Whitehouse Machine Tools, says: “The Mitsubishi Electric EDM range is a natural fit alongside our existing CNC machine tool portfolio, complementing our current manufacturing partners without overlapping processes. The precision, reliability and energy efficiency that define Mitsubishi Electric’s EDM products align perfectly with the standards we set across our CNC technology offerings.” 

He continues: “Our introduction of Mitsubishi Electric EDM to the UK & Irish market is further strengthened by the OEM’s European technical support facility near Düsseldorf, as well as the addition of two experienced UK-based specialists.” 

More information www.wmtcnc.com

CHMER Strengthens Dutch Presence Through Hoffman-Metalcare 

CHMER continues to expand in the European market through its partnership with Hoffmann-Metalcare in the Netherlands. The move further strengthens the market presence and brand visibility of CHMER wire and die-sink EDM solutions across the Netherlands and wider Flanders region. 

Committed to becoming a world-class leader in non-traditional machining technology solutions, CHMER leverages its expertise in precision machining, smart automation integration, flexible customisation, and energy-efficient manufacturing solutions to support industries including mould and die, aerospace, automotive, medical, semiconductor and precision component manufacturing.  

These capabilities help customers address growing demands for high-precision machining, process integration, and smart manufacturing. 

Through Hoffmann-Metalcare’s local sales consultation, equipment implementation support, and technical services, CHMER is able to stay closer to the European market and better understand customer needs. The partnership also enables more metalworking and manufacturing professionals in the region to discover CHMER’s technological capabilities and the value of its solutions. 

As a business, Hoffmann-Metalcare develops, supplies and maintains production lines with machining and non-machining machines for metalworking companies and the broader manufacturing industry. 

CHMER says it sincerely appreciates Hoffmann-Metalcare’s continued efforts in promoting its brand. Looking ahead, CHMER will continue to strengthen its collaboration with global partners and expand its international presence, providing customers worldwide with advanced, reliable and flexible precision machining equipment, non-traditional machining solutions and localised services. 

More information www.chmer.com 

Getting Closer to the Spark for a Smoother Surface Finish

Advances in microelectronics are improving die-sink EDM performance, with compact generators enabling faster machining, more precise spark control and improved surface finishes. 

Since the 1970s, semiconductor technology has transformed electronic devices, and similar progress is changing EDM. Early generators relied on analogue systems that could produce inconsistent sparks and required skilled operators to maintain precision. Modern systems use feedback-driven pulse management to control spark energy and intensity. 

Generator location is another factor in machining performance, explains Martin Spencer, managing director of United Machining UK: “By keeping generator modules cool and close, today’s die-sinking machines achieve a higher level of thermal and electrical stability.” 

Traditionally, EDM generators were housed in separate cabinets, connected to the spark gap by several metres of cable. Modern, compact designs allow the generator to be positioned much closer to the electrode, shortening the electrical path and reducing inductance and capacitance. 

This enables faster, more precise voltage control, improving erosion rates while limiting heat transfer to the workpiece. The result is a smoother surface finish and a reduced heat-affected zone (HAZ). 

On patented die-sinking EDM platforms, compact, high-speed generators can be mounted directly on the Z axis or behind the rear wall of the work pan, just centimetres from the electrode. For mould manufacturers, this configuration can reduce cycle times by up to 20%, while helping preserve workpiece integrity during finishing operations. 

Further developments are likely to combine hardware advances with increasingly sophisticated control software. Artificial intelligence, digital twins, predictive algorithms and adaptive spark control could deliver further improvements in precision and productivity. 

Ultimately, bringing the generator closer to the spark helps manufacturers gain greater control over the EDM process, with benefits for machining speed, surface quality and dimensional accuracy. 

More information www.machining.com 

Tooling, Automation and Software Specialist Unveils New Website

System 3R, which offers extensive solutions for EDM machine work holding and automation, has launched a new website as part of the United Machining Solutions brand strategy, giving each brand its own digital presence and providing access to its products, services and technical expertise. 

The redesigned site features updated navigation to help visitors find information across the System 3R portfolio, including work holding, tooling, automation and production software. 

The portfolio is presented as an integrated manufacturing solution. Notably, the Macro range provides sub-micron repeatability and fast clamping, while the WorkPartner series covers applications from single-machine tending to automated multi-cell production.  

System 3R’s software connects machines and automation systems, providing job management, real-time monitoring and cell communication. The solutions are compatible with machine tools from all manufacturers. 

The website also includes a worldwide locations directory, helping manufacturers in EDM, milling, grinding and additive manufacturing find their nearest System 3R contact, sales partner or service location. 

An events section provides details of upcoming trade shows, enabling visitors to plan attendance and arrange discussions with SYSTEM 3R specialists about work holding and automation technologies. 

Ultimately, the new website reflects System 3R’s focus on connected precision manufacturing, drawing on more than 50 years of experience in work-holding technology. It provides a central point for exploring the company’s solutions, finding local support and keeping up to date with its activities worldwide. 

More information www.system3r.com 

Excetek Wire EDM Offers Leap in productivity And Efficiency

The new Excetek NP Plus series of CNC wire EDM machines, supplied exclusively in the UK by Warwick Machine Tools, combines energy-saving technology with faster machining and onboard power consumption monitoring. 

The machines feature high-precision linear motors, a ‘Green Sparking’ generator, low-energy pumps and an inverter-controlled water chiller. Together, these systems reduce power consumption by up to 35%, while increasing machining speed by up to 25%. 

The Green Sparking generator uses an energy recovery system and high-speed discharge pulses to improve efficiency. ‘ECO Mode’ optimises fine finishing, reducing the number of machining passes required while improving surface accuracy. The generator achieves surface finishes of Ra 0.5 in three cuts and Ra 0.3 in five, compared with Ra 0.7 and Ra 0.35 respectively for the previous generator. 

Automatic compensation for brass wire wear helps reduce wire consumption, while peripheral systems operate only when required to limit unnecessary energy use. 

“A 35% reduction in energy consumed adds up,” says Paul Barry, technical manager at Warwick Machine Tools. “Over a year it represents an annual carbon emissions reduction of 4310 kg and electricity saving of almost 9000 kWh.” 

An onboard monitoring system records real-time electrical data and provides daily and monthly consumption reports, carbon emissions calculations and energy trend charts. It also logs energy use for individual NC machining processes, converting consumption into cost data to help businesses assess operating costs. 

The NP600L Plus model features a fixed worktable, with the linear motors moving the gantry and wire feed. This configuration accommodate workpieces weighing up to 800 kg. According to Barry, cutting speed can be increased by 25% without compromising volumetric accuracy or repeatability, both specified at better than ±2 microns. 

More information www.warwickmachinetools.co.uk