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Wire EDM production and toolmaking services are now available at the high technology subcontract machining facility of Rodmatic Hytek based in Reading, following the installation of the latest Fanuc Oi Wire EDM.
The £80,000 investment in the wire EDM, which is integrated to Rodmatic's CAD to CAM programming system, was installed to support manufacture and refurbishing of form tools in support of Rodmatic's Multico division that has some 38 Wickman multi-spindle automatic lathes engaged in around-the-clock production. Tool production includes both flat and circular form tools plus special solid and brazed carbide multi-diameter form cutters as part of the company's move to change all its production over to carbide tooling wherever practical.
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Brian Steatham (right) MD of Rodmatic checks out his latest installation of a Fanuc Wire EDM for new subcontract machining service
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Said managing director Brian Steatham: "The addition of automated wire EDM to our optical profile grinding capability, which is very operator orientated, should improve productivity on tool production and refurbishing by up to 300 per cent. It will also generate a considerable improvement in tool performance, consistency of production, tool life and quality."
The addition of a production and tooling service has resulted following a study in the Reading and surrounding area on the types of components such as autosport and medical that could benefit from the wire EDM process involving hard metal, very complex forms and high orders of tolerance and surface finish. The Fanuc Oi will accommodate components up to 700 mm by 600 mm by 255 mm.
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