Erodex Group, a UK expert in designing and manufacturing graphite electrodes, tooling and fixtures, has recently on-boarded two promising apprentices: Jack Needs and Kane Howl. These young talents joined the company’s cutting-edge graphite machining facility in Wednesbury, West Midlands. Needs is embarking on his apprenticeship journey as a CNC machinist, while Howl has joined the team as an apprentice grinder.

Erodex’s state-of-the-art machining facility boasts over 35 years of expertise, making it well-equipped to transform various graphite grades into intricate components serving a diverse range of industries. Both apprentices are committed to a comprehensive learning plan, combining on-the-job training at Erodex’s machining facility with structured off-site learning at Make UK Apprenticeships and Training in Aston, Birmingham.

Director James Kirk is proud that Erodex provides young, talented individuals with a launch pad for their engineering careers. He emphasises the importance of nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals, especially given the high precision and demanding nature of Erodex’s engineering work.

“As with most engineering firms across the country, we see a shortage of skilled, time-served individuals that fit our profile,” he says. “We therefore accept that it’s our responsibility to develop our own talent. We commit a significant amount of time to training our apprentices on the job and look forward to seeing them progress within the company.”

He add: “There’ll be opportunities for these individuals to grow within the business moving forward as we’ll help them to develop the required skills. Everybody at the Erodex Group wishes them the best moving forward.”

For further information www.erodex.com

The Engineering Technology Group (ETG) recently hosted an EDM workshop for manufacturers with a keen interest in this innovative technology. ETG Ireland kicked off its ‘Decade of Innovation’ workshop series in January with an EDM Applications event hosted by Scott Elsmere, ETG’s product manager and expert on Mitsubishi EDM and OPS-Ingersoll machines.

ETG’s workshop was a huge success with a high turnout of customers from across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Elsmere covered a range of topics with support from live demonstrations on a Mitsubishi MV1200R EDM machine, followed by an interactive Q&A session. From understanding the EDM process and material types, improving part straightness, achieving better taper accuracy, modifications for coated wires, and key parameters in spark erosion – the event was informative and action-packed.

The EDM workshop provided an opportunity for toolmakers and manufacturers from across the country to network and share their knowledge, learn new tips and tricks, and gain a deeper understanding of ETG Ireland and the company’s wide and diverse support services. Many attendees said they would highly recommend the workshop to others. One attendee said: “I’ve been performing wire EDM for over 20 years, and I have learnt new things at the ETG event that I can take back to the workplace.”

ETG Ireland will continue with a Mastercam 2024 workshop scheduled soon. Anyone requiring more information on the upcoming schedule of events should contact ETG Ireland.

For further information www.engtechgroup.com

A new Sodick ALC400G CNC wire eroder from Sodi-Tech EDM is performing the work of two previous machines at Cranden Diamond Products, a manufacturer of precision diamond and CBN grinding wheels. Cranden Diamond is also enjoying a significant boost in precision with its new Sodick machine, helping this dynamic international business to meet the growing demands of its customers.

Since the pandemic, increasing tensions in various global locations have led to an increase in defence industry work, for both aerospace and marine applications. Some of this work involves challenging composite materials.

“We’re seeing a growing number of military vehicle components made from Kevlar, for example.” reports Stuart Cleary, operations director at Cranden Diamond. “Kevlar is extremely difficult to process after moulding, so it requires grinding to final shape using either diamond or CBN wheels. To manufacture these tools, we electroplate crystal particles to very precise engineering profiles that we generate in the grinding wheel.”

Part of the manufacturing process requires the application of wire EDM. Seeking an increase in precision for this critical process, Cleary researched the market for a new machine to replace one of the company’s two ageing models.

“I shortlisted two potential machines, one of which was the Sodick ALC400G,” he says. “We ultimately opted for the Sodick because Sodi-Tech EDM has an in-house team of service engineers who know the machines back-to-front.”

Installed in July 2023, the original intention was to replace one existing EDM with the new Sodick ALC400G.

“Although we bought the machine to enhance precision, its productivity performance surprised us,” explains Cleary. “We soon found it doing the work of both our previous machines. We’re so impressed that we’re already in discussions about buying another wire EDM and we wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else than Sodi-Tech.”

For further information www.sodi-tech.co.uk