Browse by Editorial Category
Browse by Edition Date

February 2014

Skip Navigation Links.
Expand Applying TechnologyApplying Technology
Collapse EDM Machinery-ConsumablesEDM Machinery-Consumables
Expand Current NewsCurrent News
Expand SawsSaws
Expand SoftwareSoftware
Expand WorkholdingWorkholding

show all editions →

Click here to watch Tutorial Videos >

Wire EDMs Offer Versatility



Makino offers its general-purpose wire EDM technologies, the U3 and U6. According to the company, they are designed for ease of operation, versatility and low operating cost.

"The U3 and U6 offer enhanced machine performance in a design that makes competitive cycle times and high degrees of accuracy and finish easy to achieve, no matter the condition or application," said Brian Pfluger, EDM product line manager at Makino. "With the addition of our new HyperCut technology and Hyper-i control, even novice operators can program and produce leading-edge part finishes in the most complex feature geometries - a significant competitive advantage for shops experiencing difficulty replacing skilled EDM operators."

The U3 and U6 offer XYZ axes travels of 370 mm x 270 mm x 220 mm and 650 mm x 450 mm x 420 mm, respectively. The U3 will accommodate a maximum workpiece size of 770 mm x 590 mm x 220 mm with a payload of 1,322 lbs, while the U6 holds sizes up to 1,000 mm x 800 mm x 400 mm with a maximum payload of 3,307 lbs. Other features of the U3 and U6 include reduced wire-consumption rates, dual digitally-controlled flush pumps and a choice of two wire-guide configurations - conventional round or Split V guide system - to accommodate any material types and flushing conditions from 0.004" to 0.012" Ø wire (0.1~0.3 mm Ø). An extensive cutting condition library provides optimized conditions for standard hard brass wires, high-speed coated wires and high-taper soft wires. According to the company, the depth and versatility of the entire cutting condition library ensure that all applications can be machined at optimum productive levels.

"The U3 and U6 feature an innovative design in which the entire bed casting is used as the dielectric reservoir," said a company spokesperson. "This design approach reduces floor space requirements over previous models and eliminates the need for additional external fluid tanks. By merging all machine components into a single base structure, the U3 and U6 provide improved mechanical rigidity and thermal stability, and the stationary table design ensures sustainable long-term accuracy. Additionally, work zone access has been simplified for straightforward, ergonomic access and ease of maintenance.

"Both the wire EDM machines are equipped with the next evolution of Makino's advanced machine control, known as Hyper-i. This control system features a user-friendly interface similar to that found on tablets and smart phones, making operation very intuitive. A 24-inch HD touch-screen display provides many intelligent functions, including onboard electronic manuals, instructional videos and a diagnosis tool, providing operators with all of the resources necessary to remain productive. The Hyper-i control can also be customized to individual operators and/or for certain shifts, and an optional dual display screen can be configured for use with an onboard CAD/CAM system.

"With the U3 and U6, there are no special settings required to experience wire saving; every cutting condition, including sealed and poor flush applications, is automatically optimized and designed from the ground up for low wire consumption."

Makino has also developed a Pro-Tech circuit that provides electronic galvanic protection to the workpiece in order to prevent or minimize rusting and oxidation. This Makino technology, standard on the U3 and U6, is designed to preserve the integrity of the workpiece without the need for chemicals.

The U3 and U6 feature Makino's HyperCut technology, a three-pass process technology developed to produce surface finishes as fine as 3 m Rz in standard tool steels. "This performance enhancement represents a 20% reduction in cycle time and 14% reduction in wire consumption, compared to previous technology," said the spokesperson."

The U3 and U6 are both available in an optional H.E.A.T. configuration, featuring Makino's High Energy Applied Technology. This configuration incorporates higher pressure dual digitally controlled flush pumps and a large capacity four-filter filtration system that together are designed to provide faster machining speeds. H.E.A.T. technology is designed to provide enhanced wire EDM machining speed and accuracy in parts featuring poor or difficult flushing conditions.

For more information contact:

Mark Rentschler

Makino Inc.

7680 Innovation Way

Mason, OH 45040

800-552-3288

www.makino.com

Southwest

TX

Andy Mustaine

Single Source Technologies

1701 W. Northwest Hwy.

Grapevine, TX 76051

877-778-5151

andy.mustaine@singlesourcetech.com

OK

KOMT

9511 E 55th Place

Tulsa, OK 74145

918-664-6064

tulsa@komt.com

LA

Michelle Hanberry

c/o Oliver Van Horn Co.

4100 Euphrosine St.

New Orleans, LA 70125

504-210-3042

michelle-hanberry@ohvanhorn.com

NM

Moncktons Machine Tools, Inc.

928 Canvas Back Rd.

Rio Rancho, NM 87144

505-891-8845

hmorrismmt@aol.com

AR

Bill Myers

Single Source Technologies (SST)

26762 Success Drive

P.O. Box 708

Madison, AL 35758

256-301-0040

bill.myers@singlesourcetech.com

Southeast

NC, SC, VA

Dan Beckman

Single Source Technologies (SST)

415 Brookshire Road

Greer, SC 29651

864-801-8181

www.singlesourcetech.com

W. NC, SC

Chris Beckman

Single Source Technologies (SST)

415 Brookshire Road

Greer, SC 29651

Cell: 864-915-7307

chris.beckman@singlesourcetech.com

E. VA, Northeast NC

Bob Hodge

Single Source Technologies (SST)

1316 Elmwood Drive

Colonial Heights, VA 23834

Cell: 804-720-2198

bob.hodge@singlesourcetech.com

West Central NC, E. SC, W. VA

Bob Winstanley

Single Source Technologies (SST)

148 Hampshire Drive

Mooresville, NC 28115

Cell: 704-577-3391

bob.winstanley@singlesourcetech.com

Central NC, VA

Dan Fredrickson

Single Source Technologies (SST)

2936 Motsinger Rd.

Winston-Salem, NC 27107

Cell: 336-831-4246

dan.fredrickson@singlesourcetech.com

AL, GA, MS, TN

Bill Myers

Single Source Technologies (SST)

26762 Success Drive

P.O. Box 708

Madison, AL 35758

Cell: 256-777-8806

bill.myers@singlesourcetech.com

www.singlesourcetech.com

AR, Upper MS, W.TN

Tom Van Hersh

Single Source Technologies (SST)

26762 Success Drive

P.O. Box 708

Madison, AL 35758

Cell: 901-569-2251

thomas.vanhersh@singlesourcetech.com

Central and Eastern TN

Craig Montalbano

Single Source Technologies (SST)

26762 Success Drive

P.O. Box 708

Madison, AL 35758

Cell: 865-805-3686

craig.montalbano@singlesourcetech.com

AL

Jack Nash

Single Source Technologies (SST)

26762 Success Drive

P.O. Box 708

Madison, AL 35758

Cell: 205-612-9371

jack.nash@singlesourcetech.com

GA, FL

Gaylon Gregory

Single Source Technologies (SST)

26762 Success Drive

P.O. Box 708

Madison, AL 35758

Cell: 770-283-4852

gaylon.gregory@singlesourcetech.com

AL, AR, FL, GA, MS, TN

Bob Ash

Single Source Technologies (SST)

Tooling & Consumables

26762 Success Drive

P.O. Box 708

Madison, AL 35758

Cell: 256-200-1100

bob.ash@singlesourcetech.com

FL

Bob Arthur

Robert Arthur Machinery, Inc.

5903 Johns Rd.

Tampa, FL 33634

813-887-4455

sales@arthurmachinery.com

www.arthurmachinery.com

Northeast

CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, NH, NJ,

E. PA, RI, Long Island (EDM only)

Single Source Technologies (SST)

30 Chapin Road, Suite 1208

P.O. Box 655

Pine Brook, NJ 07058-0655

800-336-7283 / 973-227-6601

www.singlesourcetech.com

MA, CT, ME, NH, RI, VT

Able Machine Tool Sales

800 Silver St.

Agawam, MA 01001

413-786-4662

sales@ablemts.com

www.ablemts.com

DE, NJ, MD, E. PA, Long Island

Automation Solutions, Inc.

2 Hagerty Blvd., Ste. 300

West Chester, PA 19382-4956

610-430-3670

inquire@asi-pa.com

www.asi-pa.com

NY

Meagley Machinery, Inc.

8384 Glen Eagle Dr.

P.O. Box 51

Manlius, NY 13104

315-952-8525

W. PA, WV

Allegheny Machine

632 E. McMurray Rd.

McMurray, PA 15317

800-269-4090 / 724-942-4451

www.allegmach.com

Midwest

KY

Technical Equipment Sales

P.O. Box 99793

Louisville, KY 40269

800-852-0582

IN

Technical Equipment Sales

4501 Earhart Lane

Ft. Wayne, IN 46809

800-852-0582

OH

Technical Equipment Sales

10165 International Blvd.

Cincinnati, OH 45246

800-852-0582 / 513-874-0160

Technical Equipment Sales

6900 Southpointe Pkwy., Ste. A

Brecksville, OH 44141

800-852-0582

MI

Single Source Technologies (SST)

2600 Superior Court

Auburn Hills, MI 48326

248-232-6232

ctg@singlesourcetech.com

MN, ND, SD

Productivity, Inc.

15150 25th Ave. N

Minneapolis, MN 55447-1981

763-476-8600

productivity@productivity.com

WI

Preston Giles

Single Source Technologies (SST)

W229 N2510 Duplainville Rd., Unit 2

Waukesha, WI 53186

262-960-0463

IL

Preston Giles

Single Source Technologies (SST)

1135 Jansen Farm Dr.

Elgin, IL 60123

847-468-1295

NE

Productivity, Inc.

13435 A Street

Omaha, NE 68144

402-330-2323

prone@productivity.com

IA

Productivity, Inc.

9440 Atlantic Drive SW

Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

319-632-4288

proia@productivity.com

KS

Mark Rehwinkel

Makino - Direct Wichita

2333 S. West St.

Bldg #100, Suite #103

Wichita, KS 67217

513-573-3607

mark.rehwinkel@makino.com

MO

Preston Giles

SST-Midwest

1135 Jansen Farm Drive

Elgin, IL 60123

847-468-1295

West

N. CA, NV

John Cardana

Clancy Machine

3942 Valley Ave., Bldg. K

Pleasanton, CA 94566

925-249-2299

Cell: 925-575-4011

jcardana@clancymachinetool.com

S. CA

Scott Venter

Single Source Technologies (SST)

17800 Newhope Street, Ste. K

Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429

Cell: 714-329-1439

scott.venter@singlesourcetech.com

S. CA (Inland Empire, San Diego)

Wes Colony

Single Source Technologies (SST)

17800 Newhope Street, Ste. K

Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429

Cell: 714-904-3804

wes.colony@singlesourcetech.com

S. CA (Los Angeles, Orange County)

Bill Gocke

Single Source Technologies (SST)

17800 Newhope Street, Ste. K

Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429

Cell: 714-659-0552

bill.gocke@singlesourcetech.com

S. CA (San Fernando Valley,

San Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita Valley)

Rob Wood

Single Source Technologies (SST)

17800 Newhope Street, Ste. K

Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429

Cell: (805) 844-1331

rob.wood@singlesourcetech.com

AZ

David Gundersen

Single Source Technologies (SST)

17800 Newhope Street, Ste. K

Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429

Cell: 602-228-0347

david.gundersen@singlesourcetech.com

MT, ID, WY, UT, WY, CO

Mark Smith

Moncktons Machine Tools (CO)

637 Osage Street

Denver, CO 80204

Cell: 303-917-3072

msmith@mmtdenver.com

OR, WA

John Ellis

Ellis Machinery

6226 20th Street E

Fife, WA 98424

253-926-6868

john@ellismachinery.com

< back