FEATURE ON EDM

ETG sparks interest with EDM workshop

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

Sodick EDM replaces two machines at Cranden

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

Making tools and fixtures on an ad hoc basis

Before vehicles are produced in large series, automotive manufacturers test and check the
properties and functions of all components under different conditions. All-Forming GmbH in
Kappel-Grafenhausen specialises in the production of the required prototypes and pilot
series. With innovative ideas and in-depth expertise, the team develops and fabricates the
necessary tools and fixtures. This is where the company appreciates the huge potential of
wire EDM technology.

To produce its punching and forming tools, the specialists at All-Forming have been using
the wire erosion process for many years. The company invested in a Mitsubishi MV2400R
Connect wire EDM machine in the middle of 2022 because the previous machine was
outdated in terms of programming and operation.
Production manager Sebastian Singler says All-Forming decided in favour of the wire EDM
machine from Mitsubishi Electric for several reasons. “First of all, the MV2400R Connect
comes with a cutting-edge and future-proof programming and operating approach. We
benefit from state-of-the-art touchscreen operation. In addition, interfaces to current CAM
systems are readily available. We also the like very large workspace which provides easy
access to the machine operator. This is particularly important for us as we frequently
machine one-off parts.”
All-Forming programs the components to be cut at a CADCAM workstation using the 3D CAD
workpiece data. The data for the NC program for wire EDM gets sent to the MV2400R
Connect via a direct data line. There, the company retrieves the current production orders
and NC programs and loads the machine with sheet metal accordingly.
The advantage is that the company can position several different pieces of sheet in the large
workspace. All-Forming’s MV2400R Connect can therefore cut several workpieces
overnight, unsupervised. This goes a long way towards producing stamping and forming
tools at short notice.
For further information www.mitsubishielectric-edm.eu

Vollmer set to unveil two eroding machines

At the GrindingHub 2024 exhibition in Stuttgart this May, Vollmer will give premieres to a
number of innovations. For instance, the company will unveil its QS 860 and QSF 860 eroding machines, which can machine PCD-tipped circular saws. Although the machines will not be on show in Stuttgart,
Vollmer will be providing information about them both digitally and in face-to-face
meetings. Another innovation from Vollmer will be the VFS 400 filtration system, seen for the first
time at GrindingHub. Visitors to the trade fair can experience live how the space-saving
system carries out ultra-fine filtration of cooling oil or dielectric during the sharpening
process. Depending on the machine type, up to two Vollmer sharpening machines can
connect to the VFS 400. At the show, these machines will be CHX 840 and CS 860 grinding
machines, which sharpen carbide-tipped circular saws. The VHybrid 260 grinding and eroding machine and the VLaser 370 laser machine will also be live on the Vollmer stand. Among further new technology will be a feature for the VGrind 360S grinding machine. Thanks to an optional dressing unit for the grinding wheel, tools with the ultra-hard cutting material PcBN can now also be ground in two machining steps: roughing and high-precision finishing. PcBN machining is possible with the VGrind 360S because the machine has very high system rigidity on one hand, and X, Y and Z axes driven by linear induction motors on the other, which implements oscillating tool machining. Vollmer will also showcase products and services from its subsidiaries Loroch and ultraTEC innovation.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com

Toolmaker gets right tool for the job




As a small subcontract toolmaking and machining business, Precision Engineering Services (Buxton) Ltd has carved a niche in the production of press and mould tools for the construction and DIY sectors. As part of these activities, the business undertakes a significant amount of wire EDM work, which is why it has just invested in a Mitsubishi MV1200S wire EDM machine from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

The Buxton-based manufacturer has a selection of manual and CNC machine tools as well as a die-sink EDM machine and a wire EDM. However, with the company’s 12-year-old Mitsubishi BA8 wire EDM being the busiest machine, its precision levels were sadly diminishing after more than a decade of non-stop operation.

“After more than 10 years of non-stop running, the ball screws on our existing Mitsubishi BA8 wire EDM were deteriorating and maintaining precision was becoming more of a challenge,” explains managing director Chris Barlow.“We knew that a new machine would be the best route forward. With linear drive technology and tubular shaft motors instead of ball screws, the new MV1200S has a 12-year accuracy warranty and an optical drive system that provides circular accuracy within 1μm, so we won’t have this concern in the future.”

With regard to overall cutting time, Barlowsays: “The speed of cutting is always restricted by the wire. However, features that would take four passes to finish on the BA8 are now possible in three or sometimes two passes with our new MV1200S. This improves our productivity by 25% and even 50% in some cases.”

This impressive productivity improvement is credit to the new V350 generator, which has a significantly higher effective clock rate.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com