A new micron-precision tooling capability is now in place at Brandauer. CEO of the 61-
employee business, Rowan Crozier MBE, says: “Our micron precision tooling offer has been
a real labour of love. However, we now have processes available that de-risk the modular
tooling route for customers, giving them the capability to produce their tools to the finest of
margins and at a cost price that works.”
He adds: “Days have also been taken out of production lead times and I’m delighted to say
that numerous customers – from several different sectors – have already signed up and are
using tools made in this way.”
Last year was a whirlwind period for Brandauer, with more than £4m invested in new high-
speed Bruderer UK and Yamada presses, an additional 1-micron capable wire EDM machine,
a state-of the-art laser micro-cutter and a new rapid prototyping area.
The technology utilised in the company’s wire EDM cell includes two AgieCharmilles GF CUT
3000 machines, an investment that is typical of the firm’s constant drive for precision. These
machines are 1 micron capable across their long-bed CNC table geometry, making high-
speed, high-precision, 1250 mm modular tools a reality.

Through its wire EDM technology, Brandauer meet the challenges of miniaturisation and
high precision, while maximising productivity. The company can machine with wires as small
as 0.05 mm in diameter and, thanks to the crossed table situated directly under the
workpiece that requires machining, high-precision guides and glass scales are situated as
close as possible to the machining zone. This configuration helps maximise precision and
positioning repeatability as the play in inversion is almost eliminated.
More information www.brandauer.co.uk

Anotronic is a subcontract machining business and manufacturer of EDM fast-hole drilling
and EDM die-sinking machine tools. Founded in 1982, the business started in ECM, ECD and
EDM tooling and machining, evolving to the production and growth of its own ECM and ECD
technology brand. Along this journey, the company has worked with Sodi-Tech UK and the
Sodick brand of machines. The Bedfordshire-based manufacturer currently operates three
Sodick machines, with the latest ALC600G Premium wire EDM with linear motor drive
technology arriving recently.
 
Martin White, managing director of Anotronic, says: “We always buy premium machines
and, as the company has become more experienced, we constantly look to invest in better
technology. This always comes down to machine reliability and the ability to run
unmanned.”
He continues: “We bought this latest machine because we had a project that typically
consists of 40 parts which would maybe take us three months to complete. We suddenly
had an order placed on us last year for 300 components. We couldn’t have done this
without another machine, as we knew we would have to operate 24 hours a day to get the
parts done.”
 
Sodi-Tech UK sales manager Richard Bailey says: “Manufacturers can use the on-board
technology and IQ software system that brings the CAD model into the machine and
draws the profile on-board utilising the U- and V-axis cutting technology. The program is
generated, parts are machined and the job is complete.”

 
White adds: “We’re using a very complex four-axis program to cut a rotary part with 45°
slots in it. We used the on-board software within the CNC of the Sodick machine to create a
3D model and a tool path to cut the part.”
More information www.sodi-tech.co.uk