Categories
- Machine Tools: Cutting (3,917)
- Machine Tools: Metalforming, shearing, folding and punching (1,481)
- Machine Tools: moulding (1,058)
- Cutting tools (1,766)
- Welding and Joining (1,488)
- Finishing, preparation, coating and painting (1,025)
- Automation and assembly systems (1,044)
- Manufacturing support (8,593)
- Industry news, commerce, exhibitions, education (8,185)
- Packaging (2,865)
- Specialist Manufacturing Sectors and Metals Producing (1,318)
- Books, CDs and Videos (189)
- IT for manufacturing management and production (3,425)
- IT for engineering, industrial and commercial applications (4,837)
- Manufacturing IT hardware and communications (1,569)
- Used machinery and machine tools (29)
- Materials handling and storage (912)
- Wood and non-metallics working (73)
- Metrology instruments and systems (3,798)
- Testing and quality control systems and services (4,939)
- Subcontracting services (1,142)
Hole drilling EDM cuts time from days to one hour
A
Sodi-Tech edm product story
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team
Jan 26, 2004
Hole-drilling EDM was acquired by a domestic heating appliance maker has radically reduced the costs and time - from days to 1h - involved in manufacturing dies.
Leeds-based Bray Burners manufactures gas burners, manifolds and injectors for the domestic heating, cooking and water heating appliance markets.
High levels of accuracy are key in the manufacture of such items, which is why the company chose to invest in a Sodick wire EDM and EDM Hole Drill.
Founded 140 years ago to produce components for gas street lighting and gas mantles for domestic use, Bray continues to develop innovative new products to meet technological challenges, including the move from coal gas to natural gas, which brought with it the change from ceramic to metal burners.
With a current workforce of 150 staff and a turnover of GBP 9million, the company is committed to delivering cost effective manufacturing and reliable product quality while continually improving combustion efficiency, safety and control of environmental pollution.
The two Sodick machines at Bray are used to make and repair punch holders, dies and stripper plates.
While the wire EDM machine was purchased to replace on older model the Hole Drill was a completely new investment, purchased to radically reduce the costs and time involved in manufacturing dies.
These very specialist items, some of which include over 90 holes, were previously hand-made using a series of procedures including: drill setting, drilling, reaming, clearing, hardening and grinding, that took up to three days.
The tolerance required on the holes was +/-5 microns and any mis-hap that occurred during the die manufacture, particularly likely during hardening process, resulted in the scrapping of the part.
With the Sodick EDM Hole Drill the dies are now machined directly in hardened steel, the accuracy is assured and the whole process takes only an hour.
The dies are now treated almost as consumables, where previously requests for new dies would result in overtime and lost production on other tasks.
Bray's Engineering Manager, Mark Fozzard, explains, "It was a nightmare before, now I don't ever have to think about it.
That's what I really appreciate about Sodick machines and consumables - they cause me no problems at all.".
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Contact Sodi-Tech edm
Related Stories
