Old and new EDMs side by side

Established in 1975, the company offers two core services: a press tool service and a subcontracting machine service, which includes grinding, EDM/WEDM and CNC applications.

Operating in a competitive sector with many household names as clients, the company remains ahead by continually investing in the latest equipment and technology. Last year, it chose to invest in two new wire erosion machines, which would need to work alongside its existing Fanuc machines, the oldest of which is around 20 years old.

Although the company was aware of the capability of the Fanuc machines and was pleased with the work of its existing EDMs, it researched the market before making a final decision.

Peter Spargo, director of the company, comments: “Despite having 20 years’ experience of working with Fanuc machines, we fully investigated the marketplace when we began looking for new technology. However, the Fanuc machines remained on top, so we stuck with what we knew.”

The company purchased two Fanuc Robocut 600iA wire erosion machines, a decision that was heavily influenced by the service, longevity and overall performance of the existing Fanuc machines on the shopfloor. However, as Mr Spargo explains, there were other factors that were taken into consideration.

“When comparing the Fanuc brand against other machine brands, one important factor was the level of accuracy that could be achieved. We do a lot of motorsport work and high-precision, multi-stage tooling, for which accuracy is critical. With the new Fanuc machines, we can achieve tolerances of ±3µm.

“Another factor was the reliability of the machines. They can be left unattended for unmanned machining because they will just keep running.”

One important consideration for the Buckinghamshire business was the compatibility and continuity of programming between the two older Fanuc machines, and the new installations.

Mr Spargo adds: “We could pull the programs from the older machines and use them on the new Fanuc machines straightaway. Even after 20 years of working with the old equipment, the team has found the transition easy.

“Furthermore, we can monitor the machines from a mobile phone or tablet when we aren’t on the premises. This has been particularly useful for the guys who come in and out over the weekends to keep the machines running. When we are busy, we are probably running the machines for 400 - 500 hours a week, so uptime is critical to us.”

Although the speed and accuracy of the new machines is impressive, the older models still have a place at the subcontractor’s 15,000ft² facility.

Mr Spargo states: “The new machines give us great results, but our old machines still impress us. They were certainly ahead of their time when they were brought to the market 20 years ago.”

The subcontractor’s work requires a high level of precision and accuracy and, with clients from a diverse range of industries, its machines must be able to keep up.

Mr Spargo concludes: “We are tasked with some challenging jobs using difficult materials and tolerances, especially in the motorsport and aerospace markets. The intelligence of the Fanuc machines is terrific. It understands the materials and compositions and will often surpass its own parameters. For example, the machines will often complete jobs in eight hours instead of ten.”

FANUC www.fanuc.eu/uk/en

ALAN SPARGO LTD www.alanspargoltd.com