Sodick has announced new additions to its line of products: the AL40G/AL60G series die-sinker EDM for precision mold and precision parts machining, and the 5-axis K4HL rigid linear motor CNC small hole drilling machine developed specifically for applications that require the high-speed drilling of thousands of small, high-precision holes.
K4HL
The new K4HL 5-axis small hole CNC drill has both an automated electrode changer and guide changer, and also includes an automatic electrode feeder. Each feeder cartridge can hold upward of 100 electrodes and change them when needed. The K4HL will drill both holes and EDM diffusers using the same electrode. Non-standard geometry can be cut with custom macros. Automatic probing and breakthrough detection provides unattended operation.
Features of the K4HL include:
- Rigid linear motor
- Drives that allow high-speed and high response machining. Axis acceleration up to 1G enables stable machining.
- Automatic electrode feeder/changer with high electrode capacity (over 100) and extended lights-out drilling capability
- Automatic guide changer allows electrode diameter flexibility
- Integrated part probing.
The K4HL's compact design with clear work table access is compatible with a fully automated loading system or the simple manual loading of workpieces. For the aerospace industry, full 3-axis contouring or orbiting is included for the machining of small, high precision diffuser holes often found in jet engine blades and vanes. The K4HL machine is built in Sodick's ISO approved facility and feature Sodick's rigid linear motor drives as standard for enhanced accuracy, performance and longevity.
AL40G/AL60G
Sodick develops and manufactures in-house EDMs by combining five core technologies: linear motors, motion controllers, NC units, discharge devices and ceramics. "Our new product AL40G/AL60G is a next-generation die-sinker EDM that fuses discharge control technology carefully nurtured since the foundation of the company, advanced linear motor control technology developed over 20 years and the latest artificial intelligence (AI)," said a company spokesperson.
The AL40G/AL60G features a high-rigidity machine structure with an optimal design created using the latest CAE analysis technology, and offers improved operator workability as well. Since the three-sided automatic vertical machining tank moves up and down in conjunction with the machining fluid level, the workpiece being machined is highly visible. Because of the openness when the machining tank is lowered, the workpiece status can be checked from left and right, making preparation easy for complicated jobs. The fluid level adjustment control, jet suction adjustment control and the jet and suction pressure gauge are all arranged on the front side of the machining tank, enabling efficient set-up work.
Along with a patented rigid linear motor drive, features of the AL_G series include:
- Sodick motion controller: "Rigid linear motors have an ideal direct drive mechanism. With excellent high-speed movement and positioning accuracy, because there is no mechanical contact, long-term stability, maintainability and reliability are assured," said the spokesperson. "Sodick's refined K-SMC motion controller maximizes the performance of this linear motor. The adopted linear motor makes it possible to detect the position directly without errors in axis movement. Since the K-SMC provides real-time monitoring and controls the linear motor, high-response and precise control is now possible."
- Numerical control unit SP power supply and new stable electrical discharge system arc-less 4: The SP power supply device supports a variety of machining and operations. The motor control response speed is more than doubled because of improved communication and processing speed. The system includes Arc-less 4, the latest stable electrical discharge system. EDM performance is improved, including even EDM speeds, maximum suppression of electrode wear and the ability to provide a wide variety of machining surface finishes, from satin to mirror finish.
- Ceramic parts: For every 1 ºC change in temperature, steel and iron materials will shrink or expand by 10 micrometers. Thus, on the average worktable, the center position will shift. "That is why Sodick pioneered the use of ceramic materials for all critical machining areas. With a coefficient of thermal expansion of only 3.3, Sodick's custom-made ceramics experience less than one-third of the distortion of steel. Moreover, these ceramics provide greater rigidity and electrical insulation. In other words, ceramics are ideal for EDM," said the spokesperson.
For more information contact:
Sodick Inc.
601 Commerce Drive
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847-310-9000
info@sodick.com
www.sodick.com