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Wire EDM brings work back in-house
A
Sodi-Tech edm product story
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team
Sep 9, 2003
World's leading manufacturer of umbrella frames, has recently invested in its first EDM wire erosion machine to bring sub-contract work in-house and change production methods.
Sheffield-based Hoyland Fox, said to be the world's leading manufacturer of umbrella frames, has recently invested in its first EDM wire erosion machine, a linear motor Sodick AQ3251L.
The company, which has been established over 150 years, employs 250 people at its two Yorkshire sites to design, manufacture and assemble a complete range of umbrella frames including leisure, sport, golf and rain models.
The business case for the purchase of the new EDM machine included the benefits of being able to bring in-house work that was previously sub-contracted out, giving increased control over delivery dates, prices and quality.
In addition, much of the work that was previously achieved through conventional machining methods, particularly form-grinding, can now be done by the wire machine, which is not only quicker, but also releases additional capacity in the workshop.
Hoyland Fox makes over 5million umbrella frames a year - that represents a high workload in terms of press tooling, injection mould tools (with over 200 currently in use), gauges and many other items.
Robert Nuttall, Engineering Manager, comments, "We were looking for a wire EDM machine that would be easy to use, which could be used stand-alone and would accept DXF files direct from our CAD systems.
Being "canny Yorkshiremen" we took six months to look at what was available.
In the end it was the linear motor on the Sodick machine that was the deciding factor because it provides us with the long-term accuracy that is so important to ourselves and to our clients." For a company with a world-wide market and a world-wide reputation to maintain, the quality of its products and therefore the quality of its tooling is critical, which is why Hoyland Fox also chooses only Sodick spares and consumables from Sodi-Tech EDM in Coventry.
"We got to know the team at Sodi-Tech during our training," explains Robert, "Their prices are competitive and the wire runs extremely well.
The most important thing to me is a trouble free run - that's what we look for and that's what we get from Sodi-Tech.".
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