Introduced to the UK in the spring, the new Sodick UX450L high-end machining centre from Sodi-Tech UK has already made a major impact on manufacturers since it landed on the UK shores. As a pioneer in linear drive technology, Sodick created the world’s first independently developed linear drives incorporated into mass-produced machine tools. Over 25 years later, Sodick says its next-generation technology is pushing the limits of what is possible with the arrival of the new UX450L.

Conor Plaskitt, technical sales manager at Sodi-Tech UK, says: “We’re well known for EDM but not so much for high-speed machining. However, the two work together well. For a typical copper or graphite electrode manufacturer, the Sodick UX450L is the perfect machine. If you look at processes where spark erosion isn’t always necessary, the UX450L presents the ideal solution for hard milling where manufacturers want ‘mirror-like’ surface finishes and very tight tolerances.”

He continues: “The machine has a 40,000rpm spindle and, as Sodick is a world leader with its linear motor technology, the ability of the machine kinematics and axis movements to start and stop very quickly with pinpoint precision is exceptional.”

From a specification perspective, the Sodick UX450L has X, Y and Z-axis travel of 450 x 350 x 200mm with a 600 x 400mm work table.

“The machine is perfect for complex components that need very high surface finishes, such as mould tooling,” says Plaskitt. “The UX450L can achieve high-quality surface finishes that eliminate the requirement for time-consuming grinding or secondary polishing. Likewise, the machine can replace jig grinding applications – another skill that is gradually disappearing.”

More information www.sodick.eu