With up to 30% of its machined components manufactured from hard metals, Longford, Ireland-based N&E Precision acknowledged a requirement for EDM technology to complement its extensive CNC machine shop facilities. In September 2019, the subcontract manufacturer invested in its first Mitsubishi wire EDM machine and, such was its success that the company has now purchased a second Mitsubishi machine from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

Discussing the arrival of the first Mitsubishi wire EDM machine, N&E Precision joint managing director Noel Farrell recalls: “As a first-time EDM user, ETG’s Scot Elsemere was a major factor in our decision process. He provided expert advice, demonstrations and feedback. The technology and new software interface with the Mitsubishi MV2400R were also huge factors, but our decision was sealed by a number of recommendations from trusted contacts in the industry.”

With the company outsourcing a considerable amount of work, the Mitsubishi MV2400R immediately stemmed the flow.

“Our lead times for many components fell from weeks to 2-4 days, with some parts turned around in less than 24 hours,” says Farrell. “This wouldn’t have been possible with an external subcontract supplier involved.”

With the first Mitsubishi MV2400R making such an impact, the company invested in a second machine, a Mitsubishi MV1200R.
“The two Mitsubishi machines have added greater flexibility to our business,” states Farrell. “Some parts have tight tolerance bores and, instead of machining, we can put them on the EDM machines and achieve tolerances better than ±5 µm with excellent surface finishes.”

From a productivity standpoint, the Mitsubishi MV1200R and MV2400R are running across the company’s two-shift pattern, with many jobs set up to run unmanned overnight or at the weekends.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com