Friday, April 25, 2008
Wire EDM testing in progress...results soon to come.

I've mentioned this before here, but I want to remind everyone that Makino is doing some interesting materials testing related to EDM and aerospace manufacturing.  We've already had a lot of Wire EDM testing done - 18 samples, 3 different alloys (17-4PH, AL6-4V, 6061-T6), 1, 2, and 3 pass machining. Tests performed were recast thickness, Heat Affected Zone thickness, micro cracks, and Vickers Micro Hardness.  We've seen some very impressive results that you can see in our webinar archives at Makino.com . We are now in the process of testing the same 3 alloys, same tests, but with Sinker EDM burns. We'll be adding Inconel 713 in the very near future. I'll have results from these tests in the next couple of weeks, and I'll presenting this data at the Montreal Machine Technology Show on Tuesday, May 13. Anyone interested in these types of tests should stop by if you're attending the show. I'll also be supporting our Canadian distributor, SST-Canada, in their booth, number 332. If you're at the show, stop by either the technical presentation on Tuesday morning, or the SST booth to say hi. If you'd like a copy of the test results of what we've done so far, just send me an email and I'll send you a copy.

Accuracy | Cycle Time Reduction | High Speed Burning | Surface Finish
   |  Comments [0]  | 
 Thursday, April 17, 2008
Witness lines virtually eliminated with SurfaceWIZARD

Hey guys, I thought I'd let you all take a look at a new test cut piece that the EDM Applications Department in Auburn Hills came up with.  This part shows how well SurfaceWizard technology handles interrupted and variable thickness cuts without leaving lines at transition points.  With older technology, cutting across these kinds of details would leave anything from fine witness lines, to gouges that could be several thousandths of an inch deep.  The only visible line here is on the left side of the "K" in Makino.  Not only did SurfaceWizard allow cutting of this part without leaving severe witness lines, the technology also helps produce a straight, flat cut along the surface being worked.  This part came directly off of the machine, with no hand work or secondary operations to "polish up" the EDMed surface.  For more details on SurfaceWizard technology, contact me via phone or email, or call EDM Applications at our Die Mold Technology Center in Auburn Hills, MI at 248-232-6200.

Accuracy | Surface Finish
   |  Comments [0]  | 
 Thursday, April 03, 2008
New wire guides available from Makino

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).

Consumables
   |  Comments [0]  |