Quest for investment leads to Sodick wire EDM

The Engineering Quest, a family-owned precision engineering firm established in the 1970s, has made a substantial investment in advanced manufacturing technology by acquiring a Sodick ALC400G wire EDM machine equipped with state-of-the-art micro-wire. The decision signifies more than a simple equipment upgrade; it exemplifies how forward-thinking manufacturers are responding to the evolving demands of high-precision industries, particularly in medical device manufacturing.

The Sodick ALC400G utilises rigid linear motor drives across the X, Y, U and V axes, combined with absolute linear scales to ensure positioning accuracy backed by Sodick’s 10-year positioning guarantee. Central to the machine’s capability is its micro-wire functionality, which accommodates wire diameters as fine as 0.03 mm. This technology proved crucial in the purchasing decision, as no other machine in its class could meet the micron tolerance demands of the company.

This ultra-fine wire capability creates incredibly small and detailed features that would be impossible to achieve through conventional machining methods. In addition, the machine is configured to utilise water-based dielectric fluid instead of oil, primarily to meet the stringent cleanliness requirements essential for surgical instruments.

The ALC400G incorporates Sodick’s Smart Pulse Wire control system, which utilises a Windows-based operating system and a 19-inch horizontal multi-touchscreen interface. The machine features Intelligent Q³vic EDW technology, an automatic programming system that can import 3D CAD files and automatically detect machinable profiles, extracting machining contours with minimal operator intervention.

“The machine has been on site at Quest producing good components for about nine months now and we’re continuing to expand our learning curve to maximise the machine’s potential,” says Will Sharpe, operations manager at The Engineering Quest. “The next step is to implement automated re-tooling and re-fixturing.”

More information https://sodi-tech.co.uk/

Rapid Fusion Secures First US Deal

UK-based Rapid Fusion is looking to break into America after signing a new reseller
agreement with a US additive manufacturing specialist. The Exeter-based business, which
employs 10 people at its state-of-the-art Skypark demonstration centre, has joined forces
with Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies (PADT) to sell its robotic additive
manufacturing systems to customers in the aerospace and defence sectors.

Bosses at the technology expert believe there are almost £2m worth of opportunities to be
enjoyed in the first year across the western half of the country and have earmarked its
Apollo, Zeus and Medusa solutions as offering significant time and cost savings compared to
existing models. The company will initially target PADT’s existing client base.
More information www.rapidfusion.co.uk

MTA Partners with The Quorum Principle

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) and The Quorum Principle have entered
into a strategic partnership that will provide MTA members with enhanced collaborative
capabilities and deliver competitive edge in the global marketplace. Under the partnership
agreement, MTA members will gain access to both the training and consultancy solutions
available from The Quorum Principle.

James Selka, CEO of the MTA, says: “Manufacturing in the UK faces a unique set of
challenges to its ability to compete internationally and remain profitable. The Quorum
Principle’s approach to breaking down internal silos and enabling better collaboration
echoes the MTA’s belief in the power of collaborative growth, and our goal of fostering a
dynamic, competitive and sustainable UK manufacturing sector.”
More information https://thequorumprinciple.com/

Efficient dust collection with Contura pulse controller

Donaldson Filtration Solutions, a worldwide provider of filtration products and solutions, is launching the Contura pulse controller. This new dust collector control solution has iCue connected technology built in, which Donaldson say strengthens its position as a global leader in filtration solutions.

The Contura Controller is designed to simplify connectivity and help customers improve equipment performance. Embedded iCue technology provides an integrated solution for data tracking, performance optimisation and proactive maintenance.

Donaldson’s iCue connected technology is a monitoring system that collects and analyses data from industrial dust collectors to help facilities operate efficiently. Using integrated sensors and a secure cloud-based platform, the system can help customers track critical performance indicators and provide them with real-time insights via an intuitive online dashboard. With this technology, Donaldson customers can leverage real-time data and analytics to support uptime, maintenance efficiency, and help manage their operations’ critical compliance data.

“Making iCue connectivity standard on our dust collectors through the Contura launch reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, customer-centric technologies that help users operate efficiently,” says Mauricio Goes, vice-president of industrial air filtration at Donaldson. “We’re excited about how this advancement supports uptime and decision-making across multiple facilities.”

Initially available on select dust collector models in Europe and North America, the Contura marks the first step in a phased roll-out which will extend to additional equipment and regions over time. This launch is a key milestone in Donaldson’s broader strategy to deliver innovative, connected filtration solutions to support evolving customer needs and operational expectations.

More information www.donaldson.com

Accelerating innovation in worm thread grinding

Since its founding in 1984, Lih-Jaan has earned a strong reputation for precision engineering, particularly in the field of building thread and cylindrical grinding machines. With decades of experience and a commitment to quality, the company became a trusted name in its industry. But as manufacturing demands evolved and the complexity of applications increased, Lih-Jaan set its sights on a new challenge: worm thread grinding.

This highly specialised process requires not only technical precision but also a deep understanding of machine control and customisation. To take this next step, Lih-Jaan needed a partner with the expertise and flexibility to support such an ambitious move. That is when it turned to NUM.


What began as an initial conversation around the NUMgrind software platform evolved into a strategic alliance driven by innovation and opportunity. A renewed momentum emerged when Lih-Jaan identified a specific market need, leading to a strengthened co-operation between the two companies. Working hand in hand, they developed a custom solution that combines flexibility, user-friendliness and the ability to support a wide range of worm thread profiles. Despite a few time-related challenges in the final stages, the joint efforts culminated in a successful machine delivery.

The result was a newly developed worm thread grinding machine. At its core: NUM’s Flexium+ 68 CNC system, paired with a version of NUMgrind and worm thread grinding HMI and MDLUX axes. The machine supports five different types of worm threads, including multi-start threads, and allows for both cylindrical and non-circular grinding – all in one set up.

“NUM’s total solution not only expanded our product portfolio but also enabled us to realise our goal of developing a specialized multi-tasking machine,” states Ava Tsai, sales manager at Lih-Jaan.

More information www.num.com