EDM helps boost prototypes manufacture

German prototype component manufacturer invested in die-sinking and wire EDM to enable it to work to high precision and meet tight delivery dates.

The company that produces high-tech parts has a double time problem.

On the one hand, it has to reliably deliver technical solutions, just-in-time.

On the other hand, it also has to ensure that he can do it again tomorrow.

The company Schleef, a manufacturer of prototypes from Goslar, Germany, has made a virtue out of these necessities thanks to investments in sink and wire erosion systems from Mitsubishi.

This investment has not only enabled them to produce high precision items on time but has also set a new course for a new business area and future growth.

"What distinguishes us in the market is our reputation for high precision and strict adherence to delivery dates," said Lutz Papke, the managing partner of Schleef in Goslar.

"And this isn't going to change," emphasized Papke.

The company is one of the most respected experts for the production of prototypes and small series die cast technology for customers from the automotive, electrical and construction industries.

The tools for the series, sometimes only comprising of 250 units, are produced on their own premises.

In order to strengthen further their unique selling points, Schleef wanted to invest in erosion technology - especially sink erosion.

To fulfill this they sought a user-friendly, flexible machine that would manage daily changing tasks as well as quick roughing and fine machining.

After an intensive search, Papke selected a Mitsubishi EA8 sink erosion machine with traverse range of 350mm x 250mm x 250mm in the X-, Y- and Z-axis.

One area of special interest was the machine's menu navigation, which won him over, said the manager of Schleef, as the user is guided through the menus in a methodical way.

After entering the desired final result, the machine automatically selects the appropriate processing parameters and independently connects them with the electrodes located in the multiple changer.

Additionally, a powerful CAD/CAM system was used to allow the reading of customer data and review of the manufacturing process.

A further aspect for Papke and his employees was that the customers from the rubber processing industry had the same need for electro-pneumatic punch assemblies for the rubber door seals as the automotive industry.

In the past, these components were wire eroded during 'blank' making by an external supplier to Schleef.

However, coping with increasing deadline constraints was another reason for Schleef's decision to invest in the corresponding technology that was a wire erosion machine, for their own factory.

The wire cutting erosion Mitsubishi FA10-S machine was chosen as it covered the required traverse range of 350mm x 250mm x 220mm.

The proven precision and reliability of the machines were central points for the decision to purchase 'Mitsubishi'.

Both technologies, sink as well as wire erosion, could be delivered from one and the same source and could be supported regarding the application from one source.

Schleef regarded both issues as fulfilled through the co operation with Mitsubishi.

"Both systems can be applied universally," said Papke, "And with a surface quality of up to Ra 0.2 micron as well as plane parallelisms of 2 micron, they develop new fields of activity for us." This also looked to be helpful for Schleef's future business area of job order production.

In December 2006 the machines in Goslar reached operational status.

The experience was positive.

"Both machines are compact and complement the existing machines.

In this respect it was a final affirmation from many positive points".

* About HK Technologies - HK Technologies is a leading provider of machine tools and offers the latest technological products and solutions to the manufacturing industry.

We are located in Rugby in the United Kingdom and manufacture Laser Marking machines for home and export markets.

In addition we represent some of the worlds market leading companies and offer these products to UK Manufacturing.

We supply manufacturing solutions in a number of industries including the following: aerospace, automotive, general engineering, medical, marine, jewellery, mould and die, rapid prototyping and styling.

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