Makino Introduces HEAT Wire EDM Technology


Provides fastest wire EDM burning rate in the industry

AUBURN HILLS, MI--August 2006--Makino remains at the forefront of wire EDM innovation with the introduction of HEAT, or High Energy Applied Technology, which is a new technology to provide the fastest cutting rates and operating speeds available in wire EDM production. This high accuracy application is possible even with standard brass wire such as 0.010 inches.

This HEAT generator technology incorporates a series of enhanced modifications developed by Makino engineers. It enhances speed and accuracy beyond anything ever demonstrated in recent years, and addresses the needs of production wire EDM job shops, and aerospace and medical applications.

"The practical utilization of this high performance machining technology is that it can enhance machining speeds up to 40 percent as compared to competitive machining performance" says John Bradford, EDM team leader at Makino Die/Mold Technologies. "HEAT also provides an over 60 percent improvement in part accuracy and straightness over competitive technologies in comparison to the same number of machining passes."

Visit Booth # D-4110 in the EDM Pavilion during the 2006 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, September 6 through 13 in order to see a demonstration on HEAT, as well as equipment and processes that meet the demand for micro-dimensions and ultra-high precision EDMing. Also plan to visit Booth # 8301 in Hall A of the South to learn more about other technological innovations. Building

HEAT Application
HEAT is a perfect EDM solution for poor flushing situations with detached upper and lower nozzles, as well as machining varying part thickness along the cut path. It is ideal for medical hand tools and piece parts, aerospace housings, jigs and holding fixtures.

The use of HEAT can also enhance small volume parts production of stamping die insert blocks, variable thickness punches, mold cores, inserts and slide blocks. It is also ideal for flat, uniform parts such as stamping die blocks, punch retainers, stripper plates, mold core inserts and mold base components.

Using 0.010 or 0.012 inch diameter wire, HEAT can achieve part straightness of 0.0003 inches per side in one pass machining, and 0.0001 inches with two passes. Accuracies of 0.0005 inches can be achieved with one pass, and 0.0003 inches with two passes.

Features and Benefits
According to Nick Casbar, Makino EDM Sales manager, "HEAT technology provides for faster cutting in real world applications without using large diameter or special coated wire.

"The Makino process technology can be used with both standard brass and coated wires (paraffin, non-paraffin, and high zinc). And the perfect sealed flushing process can be utilized on any Makino wire EDM machine designed for HEAT, and does not require multiple or dedicated machines specific to desired speeds."

HEAT includes a patented wire drying system which eliminates the replacement of rollers and bearings. It also includes as standard a special filtration process to address high metal removal.

The open V-Guide Makino wire threading system requires limited maintenance, as does the non-tube wire threading mechanism and crash proof nozzle design. HEAT machines also require no belts or belt replacements.

An online seminar discussing HEAT will be available Monday, August 21, 2006 at www.makino.com/HEAT .

Makino is a global provider of advanced machining technology and application support, where new thinking takes shape for the metalcutting and die/mold industries. Makino manufacturing and service centers are located in the United States, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Italy, France, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, China, Mexico, Brazil and India, and are supported by a worldwide distributor network. For more information call 800-552-3288, or visit www.makino.com.

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