Product category:
EDM wire cutting
News Release from: Sodi-Tech edm | Subject: Wire EDM production machining
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 March 2007
Wire EDM replaces broaching and slitting
A previously subcontracted job that was machined using broaching and slitting techniques is now machined, using wire EDM, in-house, cutting costs and lead-times dramatically.
A previously subcontracted job that was machined using broaching and slitting techniques is now machined, using wire EDM, in-house, cutting costs and lead-times dramatically To combat increasing lead-times associated with subcontracting components, EURO Driveshafts and Hydraulics has acquired a new Sodick AQ537L linear motor wire EDM from Sodi-Tech, a move that has created an impressive list of benefits
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Sep 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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"In recent years we have subcontracted an increasing proportion of our work in order to meet customer demand," explains the Ayrshire company's managing director, Andrew McMillan.
"However, it was a trend that was creating a lot of problems for us, with lead-times in certain instances being pushed out as far as nine months.
Many of our customers are associated with oil rig platforms and the military, and components are often required on a rapid turnaround - there is no margin for unnecessary delays." Moreover EURO Driveshafts and Hydraulics was being asked to produce increasingly complex components, in exotic or 'defence standard' materials.
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A case in point was a previously subcontracted job that was machined using broaching and slitting techniques.
However, the new Sodick AQ537L has allowed the part to be recalled in-house, cutting costs and lead-times dramatically.
"The wire eroder 'eats' the job," confirmed McMillan.
"It has taken out all of the hassle, as well as improved the surface finish and created less scrap and less dressing requirements.
The lead-time has been reduced from several weeks to just one day." Although the machine has only recently been installed, there is little doubt that the long term savings will be significant in relation to the company's core business of manufacturing special driveshafts and hydraulic cylinders.
"Non-standard items delivered on short lead-times are our speciality," explained McMillan.
"Our customers come to us for anything unusual, and our new Sodick will help us enhance capability in this area.
Some of our clients who have already seen the machine in our workshop have given us additional components to produce, confident that we can deliver parts with increased complexity." Originally known as Spicer Scotland (part of the Dana Spicer Corporation) and then as an independent distributor of Spicer and Kempf, EURO Driveshafts and Hydraulics now has over 20 years' experience in supplying manufacturing solutions worldwide.
Customers include global OEMs and organisations such as Yale Hyster (Nacco) and the US Navy, as well as many others in the oil, locomotive, forklift, truck, bus, aircraft and pump industries.
Around 30-40% of its components are exported to countries that include the USA, India, Singapore, Norway, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands.
Another component to benefit from EURO Driveshafts' acquisition of the Sodick AQ537L is a splined hub for an offshore contract.
Previously this was laboriously cut from a large billet of material and broached, but using the company's new wire EDM, set-up time has been virtually eliminated.
"Sodick has a good reputation - many of our customers and suppliers use Sodick technology and they recommended the brand.
When we approached Sodi-Tech they were more than happy to help - they understood what we wanted to achieve," said McMillan.
Some of the materials that EURO Driveshafts and Hydraulics machine include aluminium, aluminium bronze, monel, mild steel and cast iron.
Such a wide variety of materials can present different challenges to traditional machining technologies but with the Sodick AQ527L no such problems are encountered.
"I can't fault the technical support or the machine," McMillan said.
"It hasn't stopped since it was installed and when we've had the odd application query, the technical team at Sodi-Tech EDM has been able to assist immediately." The management team at EURO Driveshafts and Hydraulics is continuously thinking about what it can do to help the company progress in what has become a strong niche market.
"The AQ537L is a good example of this strategy," McMillan concluded.
"It has a larger capacity than we strictly require at present, and can without doubt produce parts with a finish beyond our current needs - but this has been a deliberate policy on our part to ensure we can cater for future customer demands.".
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