Die-sink EDM satisfies tighter tolerance work

A specialist manufacturer of core and cavity inserts for injection mould shops serving the medical industry was faced with tightening tolerances - a problem solved with a new die-sink EDM.

Slieve Foy Tool and Die, a specialist manufacturer of core and cavity inserts for injection mould shops serving the medical industry, has opted to buy the latest AQ35L die sink EDM from Sodi-Tech, the first Sodick model in the firm's workshop.

Specialising in customised cylindrical core and cavity inserts for injection mould shops has helped Slieve Foy, based at Greenore, County Louth in the Republic of Ireland, develop a niche in the medical, pharmaceutical and personal care sectors, which now make up the majority of the company's business.

As well as supplying to 90% of all companies involved in the production of medical devices in the Republic of Ireland, Slieve Foy also exports its tools to customers in the UK and the US.

"Many medical devices happen to be round or cylindrical in shape," said Slieve Foy's technical and sales director, Patrick McGrath.

"Over the years we have developed the necessary skills to serve medical industry requirements, giving each job the necessary attention to detail required to produce superior quality tools." During the past couple of years, however, Slieve Foy had noticed that things were beginning to alter.

"Over time technology changes, as do tolerances," said McGrath.

"We had noticed a distinct trend for medical industry injection mould cores and cavities to exhibit ever tighter tolerances".

"To this end we realised that we might require a new machine that we could dedicate to finishing work to meet precise customer specifications." McGrath said the company devoted a significant amount of time to considering the various die sink machines available.

However, when Slieve Foy saw the AQ35L from Sodick, the company knew that it had found the answer to its dilemma.

"Because we supply tooling for medical devices, most of the components we manufacture require highly precise, accurate finishing," he said.

"The parts are often complex, one-off components manufactured from stainless tool steels.

Tolerances are typically in the region of +/-0.002mm." The accuracy and repeatability demonstrated by the Sodick AQ35L convinced Slieve Foy that it was the right machine, and it was duly installed in January 2006.

"Changing to Sodick was a big step for us," said McGrath, "But to be honest, the Sodick has been so easy to learn that we never should have been concerned.

The control is like second nature to us now." The menu-driven responsive control on the AQ35L automatically writes the NC code for the operator while inserting the optimum cutting conditions.

With Sodick's new LQ Control you can import Parasolid (solid model) files directly into the control, a unique feature that maximises cutting efficiency while reducing workflow and programming errors.

Slieve Foy Tool and Die is a 100% Irish-owned company established in 1984.

As well as specialising in cores and cavities for the medical, pharmaceutical and personal care industries, the 12-employee company also provides tooling for customers in the packaging, electronics, filtration, automotive and IT sectors.

Since installation the Sodick AQ35L has been set to work performing finishing operations for most of the Slieve Foy's throughput.

The machine now runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, unattended overnight and at weekends.

"Investing in the latest technology such as the AQ35L makes sure we competing with the best the sector has to offer," concluded McGrath.

"It also means we are ready for step-change within the industry, whenever that should occur.

We have no regrets about changing our EDM preference to Sodick.".

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