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Makino now offers a variety of wire guide solutions based on application needs - original split V guides for general EDM work and split C guides for high taper work, and PICO Precision guides for reliable, sustained AWT function when working with small holes, closely spaced small hole patterns, and precision tapers along changes in geometry, such as a stamping die with a variable land surface that requires accurate tapering along the land area.  These bullet points should help explain where each of the guide systems can be best utilized.

• Split Guides
• V-and-Flat guide
• Recommended for about 80-85% of EDM work
• Good results for taper angles up to 10 degrees
• Split “C” guide
• Recommended for taper work from 10 to 45 degrees
• Fast, easy maintenance
• PICO Precision Guides
• Similar to traditional round guides
• Recommended for variable land taper cuts in stamping work
• Recommended for auto threading of small holes
• Diameters <0.65mm (0.025”)
• Recommended for auto threading small holes in close proximity
• Diameters <0.65mm (0.025”)
• Hole centers closer than 1.5mm (0.060”)

For more information and assistance with choosing the right guide for your work, please contact EDM Applications Support at 888-MAKINO4 (625-4664).

Was speaking to a customer the other day who was having some issues using coated wires, so I thought I'd share this tidbit...

When using coated wires, you may want to evaluate and/or remove the felt wiper pads from the upper wire drive system on your machine.  Depending on what type and brand of coated wire used, the abrasiveness of the felt pads can sometimes start stripping the coating off the wire.  This is more evident when using the newer Gamma-Phase type coated wires.  If the coating is being stripped off the wire from the felt pads, an accumulation of debris is typically seen near the felt pad above the AWT Thread Jet assembly.  This will typically not cause any major problems, but increases the maintenance required on the machine.

Makino SP series machines are already known for using less wire than other machines in the same class on like jobs.  With HEAT technology providing faster cut times in many applications, this will help to even further reduce wire consumption by these machines.  With brass wire costing around $6.00 to $6.50 per pound, this can result in substantial savings for those shops that use the SP series machines with HEAT.  EDM Sales & Supplies (1-800-EDM-SAVE) also offers a proprietary coated wire called Versacut-H that will further reduce process times on any WEDM regardless of manufacturer.  This wire was developed exclusively for Makino to compliment the HEAT system.  Combined with HEAT Technology on the Makino SP series machines, our customers have seen as much as 52% reduction in process times on some jobs.  Contact Makino EDM Applications, EDM Sales & Supplies, or Jeff Kiszonas to get more details.