Tezmaksan and Mitsubishi Electric unveil EDMCell Cube

A 15-year strategic collaboration between Tezmaksan and Mitsubishi Electric Europe has culminated in the launch of EDMCell Cube, a new automation system designed to redefine productivity in wire EDM applications. Combining Mitsubishi Electric’s high-precision wire EDM machines with Tezmaksan’s CubeBOX automation engineering, the solution delivers fully automated, uninterrupted production within a compact and modular footprint.

Developed to eliminate manual intervention, EDMCell Cube enables automated loading and unloading of wire EDM machines, supporting lights-out manufacturing during nights and weekends. Hakan Aydoğdu, CEO of Tezmaksan Group, describes the system as a significant technological step forward. By reducing operator dependency, manufacturers can maintain consistent output beyond standard shift patterns while optimising labour resources. Integration with RoboCAM further enhances usability and simplifies process control.

The modular CubeBOX® architecture allows EDMCell Cube to be integrated across different machine platforms, making advanced automation more accessible to a broad range of manufacturers, including SMEs. Its compact design ensures high efficiency even in space-constrained production environments, a critical advantage for many European workshops.

The collaboration leverages Mitsubishi Electric Europe’s global expertise in wire EDM technology and Tezmaksan’s in-house automation capabilities. Together, the partners have created a solution that not only boosts productivity and flexibility but also reflects a shared vision for the future of European manufacturing.

Positioned as a new benchmark for wire EDM automation developed in Europe, EDMCell Cube represents the next phase of a long-standing partnership, one focused on intelligent integration, sustainable productivity and practical innovation for modern production environments.

More information www.tezmaksan.com/en

Strategic investment underpins growth at ComplexaHPE

Precision injection moulding, machining and tooling specialist ComplexaHPE is reporting a record order book following more than £2m of investment in advanced manufacturing technology and a strategic focus on supplier collaboration, including a close partnership with Erodex UK.

Formed in 2021 through the merger of ComplexaTools and High Precision Engineering (HPE), the business provides a full turnkey service spanning toolmaking, precision machining and injection moulding. The strategy is delivering results, with new contracts secured in the UK, Ireland and overseas, particularly within high-end medical manufacturing.

Group managing director Paul McHugh attributes the growth to sustained investment and integrated capability: “Customers increasingly want a complete solution, from design for manufacture through to final sign-off, including end-of-arm tooling and inspection fixtures. That reduces lead times and ensures consistent quality.

Since 2021, the company has installed high-speed milling machines, five-axis machining centres, spark and wire EDM systems, and a Mazak Millturn, alongside robotics and palletisation to support lights-out production. However, McHugh emphasises that machinery alone is not enough.

“Maximising performance is critical, and that’s where Erodex has added real value,” he says.

Following a review of EDM processes, Erodex recommended POCO EDM graphite grades to optimise electrode performance and consistency. In automated, unattended environments, predictable material behaviour is essential. The result has been improved machinability, longer electrode life, reduced cycle times and enhanced surface finishes.

With nearly 24 months of work secured, ComplexaHPE is experiencing unprecedented demand.

“Our success is built on quality, technical expertise and strong supplier partnerships,” concludes McHugh. “Working closely with Erodex has helped us raise standards and strengthen our competitive position in precision manufacturing.”

More information www.erodex.comTop of Form

Carl Hirschmann GmbH backs “Germany Can Do More”

For more than 40 years, Carl Hirschmann GmbH has produced high-precision rotary spindles and tooling for EDM applications, offering a wide range of specifications to suit different workpiece sizes and machining requirements. Deeply rooted in Baden-Württemberg and a committed member of wvib Schwarzwald AG, the company is proudly supporting the association’s annual campaign, “Germany Can Do More,” sending a clear signal of solidarity with small and medium-sized industrial businesses and with Germany as a manufacturing location.

The challenges facing industry today are undeniable. Global value chains are shifting, technological change is accelerating, demographic trends are intensifying the skills shortage, and energy costs remain high. German industry is under significant pressure. Yet for companies like Carl Hirschmann, pressure has historically been a catalyst for innovation rather than a cause for stagnation. According to the company, pressure has consistently driven further development and renewal.

Baden-Württemberg exemplifies how essential industrial value creation is to prosperity, employment and social stability. When industrial competitiveness weakens, the effects ripple across the entire economic ecosystem. Encouragingly, many companies are already investing, adapting business models and entering new markets. However, optimism alone is insufficient. Competitive energy prices, reduced bureaucracy, faster approvals and sustained investment in education, research and infrastructure are critical to securing long-term success.

The “Germany Can Do More” initiative is therefore more than a slogan; it is an invitation to shape the future responsibly. Carl Hirschmann firmly believes that if entrepreneurship, innovation and performance are prioritised, an industrial renaissance is achievable. The company is ready and calls for a framework that enables industry to deliver its full potential.

More information www.carlhirschmann.de/en

New wire EDM series improves accuracy and flexibility

For many years, manufacturers accepted that no single wire EDM machine could excel at every application. Some prioritised speed, others surface finish or taper accuracy. With the introduction of the CUT X 350 and CUT X 500, GF Machining Solutions says it is challenging that assumption.

Developed and built at the company’s Losone, Switzerland facility, the CUT X series is available in two sizes to accommodate workpieces up to 800 x 550 x 250 mm (CUT X 350) and 1050 x 700 x 250 mm (CUT X 500). Both models are engineered for high precision, combining optimised machine mechanics with an advanced thermal management concept. A sealed cabinet and controlled airflow maintain stable internal temperatures, while heat sources are isolated from critical components to minimise the influence of ambient fluctuations.

An array of internal and external sensors feeds data to the CNC, where an AI-driven algorithm predicts potential thermal deformation and compensates axis positioning in real time. The result is consistent micron-level accuracy, even during long machining cycles.

Flexibility is enhanced by interchangeable open and closed wire guide cartridges, which can be changed and aligned in less than 15 minutes. Open guides suit straight or low-taper cuts, while closed guides deliver higher accuracy and surface quality for tapers up to 30°. Additively manufactured heads improve flushing efficiency and increase cutting speeds.

The UNIQUA HMI, featuring a 19-inch vertical touchscreen, provides intuitive control and supports legacy file formats.

Further productivity gains come from automatic wire changing, dual wire circuits, intelligent spark protection, integrated probing and automated slug management, ultimately enabling reliable, lights-out performance across a broad range of EDM applications.

More information www.gfms.com

Ultimate reliability: 35-year-old wire EDM still in use

When Kress Funkenerosion was founded in 1990 in Mühlhausen, near Nuremberg, its future rested on a single machine: a FANUC Tape Cut W2. As a young tool- and mould-making subcontractor serving demanding sectors such as automotive, aerospace and medical, uptime was critical. The brief for that first investment was straightforward: deliver high-quality wire-cut components with absolute reliability.

More than three decades later, that same machine remains in daily operation, a testament to the durability and engineering philosophy of FANUC.

The machine’s longevity set the tone for the company’s future direction. Impressed by consistent performance and minimal maintenance requirements, Kress Funkenerosion standardised on FANUC wire EDM technology, investing in a further 12 machines over the years.

The most recent additions are two FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC models, which provide both precision and versatility. Managing director Michael Schander reports that tolerances of ±3 µm are achieved with ease, supported by reliable automatic wire threading in under 10 seconds. Yet, for Schander, performance figures tell only part of the story.

“What really sets FANUC apart is the build quality,” he says. “The last service call I remember was over six years ago. That level of reliability is exceptional.”

Today, all wire EDM machines on site are FANUC models, forming the backbone of the company’s ISO 9001-accredited operation. For founder Gerhard Kress, the decision remains clear: “The first machine I bought in 1990 is still running. After more than 30 years of experience, I see no reason to change.”

More information www.fanuc.eu