Product category:
EDM wire cutting
News Release from: Agie Charmilles | Subject: Vertex F duo-wire EDM machine
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 July 2006
Precision engineers buy latest wire EDM
Precision engineering specialist has invested in the latest wire EDM to manufacture high-precision and complex mould and press tools destined for use in the medical and electrical sectors.
Barnstaple, UK-based, leading precision engineering specialist, North Devon Precision Products (NDP), has recently invested in a new, state-of-the-art Agiecut Vertex F wire EDM machine from Agie Charmilles The machine, installed at the company's North Devon facility in March 2006, is being used primarily to manufacture high-precision and complex mould and press tools destined for use in the medical sector and in the electrical/electronic connector industry
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 17 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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NDP's Vertex F investment is a landmark for the company and for Agie Charmilles too.
Up until this point all previously sold Vertex machines in the UK had been purchased by leading-edge OEM's and Research and Development Institutions.
NDP's investment represents the first Vertex purchase made by a precision engineering subcontractor.
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NDP is a progressive and forward looking company and this latest Vertex F investment is by no means a one-off.
All through the company's thirty three year history (created in 1973), NDP has been right at the cutting edge with its EDM investments - and, it was only in December 2005 that it purchased a new ultra high-performance Hyperspark spark erosion EDM machine from Agie Charmilles.
Said Nick Squire, managing director at NDP: "Maintaining our competitiveness is critical - and investing in advanced machine tools enables us to put clear water between what we can deliver in terms of part accuracy, repeatabilities, surface finish and manufacturing process reliability - and what our nearest competitors can offer." He explained: "The industries we serve all need high added-value solutions.
Lead times are always demanding but so too are quality requirements and costs.
Without having the right machine tools to give us the extra performance and productivity we need - would mean we would struggle to deliver." NDP currently employs 23 people at its facility.
The company's business (turnover) is generated from making (and repairing) complex mould tools for the medical sector - and equally-complex precision press tools, close tolerance components and assemblies for the electrical connector sector.
The mould tools manufactured by NDP are used to produce joint replacement (knee) parts.
These parts, ultimately made from plastic (polyethylene) via direct compression moulding (DCM), are fixed to the top of a patient's tibia and underneath the kneecap - and in effect replace worn or damaged cartilages.
Like all components and tools used in the medical sector for invasive surgery - accuracy and surface finish are of critical importance.
This is also true of the press tools that NDP manufactures for the electrical and electronics connector customers.
For this sector - the Vertex has been used with 0.5mm diameter wire to wire out 1.0mm holes on progression and compound tools.
Ultimately these tools are used to manufacture miniature, intricate industrial and commercial connectors for aerospace, computers, communications and other electronic devices.
The Vertex F duo-wire EDM machine has been designed for micro-machining applications and uses wire with diameters as small as 0.02mm to produce the most intricate of forms and micro features.
The Vertex delivers superior surface finish (0.05 micron Ra) and, through its Agie Duo Wire system, guarantees accurate and reliable wire threading for higher productivity and continuous operation.
The machine's new, powerful IPG-V generator and latest-generation Agievision control - with operator-friendly 3D setup, TECCUT and GRAFICHECK functionality - ensure fast and accurate job preparation and machining parameter, strategy and program selection.
As mentioned above NDP has recently invested in other ground-breaking EDM technology from Agie.
The Hyperspark (die-sink machine) gives NDP the ultimate in spark erosion capability - fast machining, excellent surface finish, high accuracy and low electrode wear.
This machine - plus the Agie Evolution and Exact EDM machines already situated in the company's facility - give NDP a formidable EDM capability that is difficult to beat.
NDP has supplemented its EDM machines with other machine tool technology investments (milling, centreless grinding etc), CMM measurement and inspection capability - including the ability to pre-set off-line and a heat treatment facility.
For the press tool customers NDP also provides full testing capability on its Bruderer press.
Concluded Nick Squire: "The Vertex F has been with us for just over two months - and the impact it has had on productivity and quality is remarkable.
We are, with this investment - and the Hyperspark - geared up for the way the mould tool and press tool markets are heading in the future.".
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