Product category:
EDM wire cutting
News Release from: Sodi-Tech edm | Subject: Sodick AQ750L large capacity wire EDM
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 15 December 2005
Large capacity wire EDM brings in more
work
Since the installation a few months ago of a large capacity wire EDM, used for producing press tool components, a recently formed toolmaker has attracted five new customers.
Since the installation a few months ago of a large capacity Sodick AQ750L wire EDM, a recently formed toolmaker has attracted five new customers AP Press Tools was established just two years ago as a supplier of press tools and associated equipment to first tier automotive customers
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Sep 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Although the company operates from a well-equipped 5000ft2 manufacturing facility in Birmingham, UK, AP was subcontracting its high accuracy wire eroding work, a strategy that was proving both expensive and inconvenient with respect to job control.
"We wanted to buy the largest wire eroder we could find to bring our work back in-house and help attract new orders," says proprietor Andy Pugh;.
"Although we looked at a few different machines, none could match the size of the Sodick.
Also, I had worked on a couple of Sodick machines in past roles, which helped regarding familiarity, even though the technology has moved on considerably.
We bought the AQ750L in September and it has already attracted work from five new customers and helped us diversify into other markets such as the oil, leisure and domestic sectors." Since its arrival the AQ750L, an EDM colossus with four linear axes, has been set to work manufacturing press tool components such as punches, dies, punch plates and strippers to tolerances in the realm of 4-5 microns.
Most components are one-offs manufactured from hardened steel.
Maximum workpiece dimensions accommodated by the machine are 1050 x 750 x 400mm.
"Toolmaking is very competitive at present and a lot of work has gone abroad," concludes Pugh.
However, having this machine enables us to wire cut parts 50% faster than many of our competitors.
On top of which, it can be left to run for 78 hours unattended, which makes a significant difference to our labour costs and will undoubtedly prove to be a huge springboard for our business.".
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